This was an extremely resonant piece Reeze! I love how well you described ambition can feel emotionally, how can be in one place in life and already imagining what two steps ahead look like! Living intentionally -- not just "with" intention -- is such a beautiful reframing that flips your old lifestyle on its head and makes space for both ambition and rest! Funnily enough, I've written about how that so helpful with seeing "procrastination." Sometimes what you do when ur away from work -- like having a thrilling chat with your friend, listening to an engaging podcast episode, etc -- can be just as equally meaningful as the work I'm avoiding if I know those are things I value even if they aren't best for that moment :,)
This was such a wonderful read and I'm excited to incorporating this way of seeing life -- doing EVERYTHING intentionally, even procrastinating haha -- into my student life! Thank you for this piece Reeze and I just wanna say all those moments u spend cooking with ur partner sound so beautiful hehehe <3333
I am a huge procrastinator myself hahaha so I know what you mean!
But yes, that’s a great way to look at it—that things are more equal than we think, as long as they have value. Even if one feels time-sensitive because of a deadline, we shouldn’t always prioritize those things over spending time with family and friends.
I’m working on this. I had my eyes opened about a year and a half ago and from then everything started to make sense to me. But where I am at now, I get down on myself bc nothing feels like it’s happening or moving the way I want it to. I’m trying to be patient, but maybe what I need to also remember is the intention part. I never thought about it really like that.
Now… not saying I’m going to be the best at this but I do agree that it is necessary!
Haha no worries Brittany about being “the best” at it! I’m still checking myself and remembering, too ;)
And UGH patience. Lol. It’s such a drag to have patience sometimes. But ya, maybe intention can help. If we try to find the value in what’s going on in the present moment, maybe patience will happen more naturally. <3
I’m honestly pretty excited that intention is my word for the next year! I hope it helps you too <3
This made me realise - say plans with friends. I am always excited and love meeting them (because I rarely meet them) and I'm excited for days. But on the day of meeting or a few hours before that I start to wonder do I really need to? I have so much work to do - I might as well finish that. And then I procrastinate and not finish the work I have and just go meet them or cancel plans and work. Ugh. How do we get out of this? :/
I know what you mean!! You never know what you’re going to feel on the day, or what your work load will feel like on that day.
Maybe intention can help, because you keep awareness on what you’re going through that day. And you make the call about what feels like more of a priority—and don’t have any guilt about that. Work and friends are both priorities, but sometimes, some days, one is more of a priority than the other. <3
Reeze STOP!! Just stop right there with your telepathic essay writing! I was just writing about this today but since this is just so beautifully written with an almost innocence, I'llcan it because yes. Yes you described my life.
I'm noticing what I haven't before and it is a wild ride, but also so healing. Just being in the moment for the moment and wherever that moment takes you can't be predicted, prejudged or predetermined for future you.
I've been proven wrong too many times thinking of the future or of conversations to be had that I was given no choice than to do what's in front of me. Love this for you!! 🧡💗🧡
So intention is the exhale on a frosty morning when the waking sun lights it up to let the tiny particles shimmer, that you also stopped to see and maybe even chose to remember.
But what happens if you lose intention again? How do you catch that moment to get it back again?
Yes, intention (for me) is noticing that small moment perhaps! But it's also remembering, at all times, where my values and priorities are. What I really think the meaning of life is. What's REALLY important to me. We get so caught up in routines and one-track minds and habits... that we lose sight of the bigger picture.
And when I forget--as has been happening--it's just bringing myself back to remembering again. Having ONE WORD that encapsulates how I want to live my life the next year has been helping me remember!
Yes! I feel like this goes along with the word I picked for my year: contentment. This was a new thing our company was doing to pick a word and at first I thought, "what kind of rah rah crap is this?" But I did take the time to pick a word and maybe that's why I'm feeling closer and closer to being there and as you wrote, it's about the journey not the destination. 💕
Actually, yes!! I totally agree, having one word to focus on being--that has really helped me stay on track lately. Love the word contentment for you, rah rah or not lolol
Omg, such beautiful writing. Your descriptions of intention are amazing. I also want rest so restorative it feels like sinking into a bath. I can FEEL that!
“Intention” might just be my favorite word in the English language. In the last 15 years I have been learning how to live with intention and it is absolutely life changing. I’m still learning. So many things can distract you from living intentionally. But don’t get discouraged, if you find yourself reverting to “existing” or looking ahead, that’s okay. Just be intentional about whether that is serving you in that moment (or not) and then make whatever adjustments are needed.
Life is wild. Intentionality tames it a bit. Gives you some power back. Love this for you, my friend!
Whoa that’s so cool that intention is one of your favorite words!! And I’d totally read your post if you ever write about how you live intentionally, hint hint! ;)
“I kept noticing that I was not noticing” seems like the story of our lives xD
there’s a weird way we can be doing all the right things — working, resting, seeing people, travelling — and still barely be inside any of it because our mind is already onto whatever comes next! it can feel exhausting once we notice it (which is so ironic lol).
We really like your distinction between living with purpose and living on purpose. you don’t have to choose between wanting more and appreciating what’s here, but the harder bit is remembering both at the same time. very insightful and a great read! Thank you for sharing Reeze <3
And yes, actually, that whole difference between living with purpose vs living on purpose--that's been kind of huge for me. I used to want to live "with" purpose all the time... but it was suffocating. Especially because I could never find that "one" thing to live for. But life is multi-faceted, and to have a good life, there are so many elements that play into it...and priorities and balance can shift over time! So instead, I like to think of living "on" purpose, just making sure that the things I'm doing are the things I WANT to do, that I find VALUE in, and I believe that that will point me in the right direction :D
This was an extremely resonant piece Reeze! I love how well you described ambition can feel emotionally, how can be in one place in life and already imagining what two steps ahead look like! Living intentionally -- not just "with" intention -- is such a beautiful reframing that flips your old lifestyle on its head and makes space for both ambition and rest! Funnily enough, I've written about how that so helpful with seeing "procrastination." Sometimes what you do when ur away from work -- like having a thrilling chat with your friend, listening to an engaging podcast episode, etc -- can be just as equally meaningful as the work I'm avoiding if I know those are things I value even if they aren't best for that moment :,)
This was such a wonderful read and I'm excited to incorporating this way of seeing life -- doing EVERYTHING intentionally, even procrastinating haha -- into my student life! Thank you for this piece Reeze and I just wanna say all those moments u spend cooking with ur partner sound so beautiful hehehe <3333
Have a great day!!
I am a huge procrastinator myself hahaha so I know what you mean!
But yes, that’s a great way to look at it—that things are more equal than we think, as long as they have value. Even if one feels time-sensitive because of a deadline, we shouldn’t always prioritize those things over spending time with family and friends.
Thanks for the comment Ethan!
Of course Reeze! I really enjoyed this piece and I’m so glad you put it out! Thank you for sharing it :)
I’m working on this. I had my eyes opened about a year and a half ago and from then everything started to make sense to me. But where I am at now, I get down on myself bc nothing feels like it’s happening or moving the way I want it to. I’m trying to be patient, but maybe what I need to also remember is the intention part. I never thought about it really like that.
Now… not saying I’m going to be the best at this but I do agree that it is necessary!
I’ll work on it. 🫶🏻
Haha no worries Brittany about being “the best” at it! I’m still checking myself and remembering, too ;)
And UGH patience. Lol. It’s such a drag to have patience sometimes. But ya, maybe intention can help. If we try to find the value in what’s going on in the present moment, maybe patience will happen more naturally. <3
I’m honestly pretty excited that intention is my word for the next year! I hope it helps you too <3
Practice makes better! 🫶🏻
This made me realise - say plans with friends. I am always excited and love meeting them (because I rarely meet them) and I'm excited for days. But on the day of meeting or a few hours before that I start to wonder do I really need to? I have so much work to do - I might as well finish that. And then I procrastinate and not finish the work I have and just go meet them or cancel plans and work. Ugh. How do we get out of this? :/
I know what you mean!! You never know what you’re going to feel on the day, or what your work load will feel like on that day.
Maybe intention can help, because you keep awareness on what you’re going through that day. And you make the call about what feels like more of a priority—and don’t have any guilt about that. Work and friends are both priorities, but sometimes, some days, one is more of a priority than the other. <3
Reeze STOP!! Just stop right there with your telepathic essay writing! I was just writing about this today but since this is just so beautifully written with an almost innocence, I'llcan it because yes. Yes you described my life.
I'm noticing what I haven't before and it is a wild ride, but also so healing. Just being in the moment for the moment and wherever that moment takes you can't be predicted, prejudged or predetermined for future you.
I've been proven wrong too many times thinking of the future or of conversations to be had that I was given no choice than to do what's in front of me. Love this for you!! 🧡💗🧡
I had no idea where the comment was going when it started with STOP!! Haha love it, classic Kelly!
I still really really want to read your essay about intention!! So keep writing it! Post it! I'll read it!
Hah, love how you said I wrote this "with an almost innocence," I can kind of see that!
So intention is the exhale on a frosty morning when the waking sun lights it up to let the tiny particles shimmer, that you also stopped to see and maybe even chose to remember.
But what happens if you lose intention again? How do you catch that moment to get it back again?
Yes, intention (for me) is noticing that small moment perhaps! But it's also remembering, at all times, where my values and priorities are. What I really think the meaning of life is. What's REALLY important to me. We get so caught up in routines and one-track minds and habits... that we lose sight of the bigger picture.
And when I forget--as has been happening--it's just bringing myself back to remembering again. Having ONE WORD that encapsulates how I want to live my life the next year has been helping me remember!
I love that this all goes back to you and what's important to you. That's more rare than we might think. Thank you for sharing 🙏
Yes! I feel like this goes along with the word I picked for my year: contentment. This was a new thing our company was doing to pick a word and at first I thought, "what kind of rah rah crap is this?" But I did take the time to pick a word and maybe that's why I'm feeling closer and closer to being there and as you wrote, it's about the journey not the destination. 💕
Actually, yes!! I totally agree, having one word to focus on being--that has really helped me stay on track lately. Love the word contentment for you, rah rah or not lolol
Omg, such beautiful writing. Your descriptions of intention are amazing. I also want rest so restorative it feels like sinking into a bath. I can FEEL that!
Thank you!
Yassssss, Queen!!!!
“Intention” might just be my favorite word in the English language. In the last 15 years I have been learning how to live with intention and it is absolutely life changing. I’m still learning. So many things can distract you from living intentionally. But don’t get discouraged, if you find yourself reverting to “existing” or looking ahead, that’s okay. Just be intentional about whether that is serving you in that moment (or not) and then make whatever adjustments are needed.
Life is wild. Intentionality tames it a bit. Gives you some power back. Love this for you, my friend!
Whoa that’s so cool that intention is one of your favorite words!! And I’d totally read your post if you ever write about how you live intentionally, hint hint! ;)
Thanks for the encouragement David!
“I kept noticing that I was not noticing” seems like the story of our lives xD
there’s a weird way we can be doing all the right things — working, resting, seeing people, travelling — and still barely be inside any of it because our mind is already onto whatever comes next! it can feel exhausting once we notice it (which is so ironic lol).
We really like your distinction between living with purpose and living on purpose. you don’t have to choose between wanting more and appreciating what’s here, but the harder bit is remembering both at the same time. very insightful and a great read! Thank you for sharing Reeze <3
Thank you for reading!! <3
And yes, actually, that whole difference between living with purpose vs living on purpose--that's been kind of huge for me. I used to want to live "with" purpose all the time... but it was suffocating. Especially because I could never find that "one" thing to live for. But life is multi-faceted, and to have a good life, there are so many elements that play into it...and priorities and balance can shift over time! So instead, I like to think of living "on" purpose, just making sure that the things I'm doing are the things I WANT to do, that I find VALUE in, and I believe that that will point me in the right direction :D
we can understand that so WELL! and we love that for you <3