What's Up Bald Heads? It's been a month since we last chitted and chatted. Y'all alright?
I told y'all I would be back once my mind and body agreed we were no longer on vacation. I know I've been gone for a whole month now.
If you are new here WELCOME, I'm Jin. I am a Certified Yoga, and Meditation Instructor, and a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor. In this blog, my focus is always on self-care as it pertains to your whole being. That's mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I share things that have worked for me, things people in my community have shared that have worked for them, and things I've learned or studied as a way to help those who may want or need the information. Now that we have that out of the way.... let's get down to bald headed business.
Since we last spoke I took a month off to rest at rejuvenate prior to getting back to it. If you know me through this blog you know Auntie Jin Loves some good Restoration. Give me a BREAK please!!!!
Thank you Larry, now back to what I was talking about before I got side tracked. June was the first time in a long time that I'd planned for a long break before starting my next adventure. It was time to get real with myself and say "Jin, before you jump from one frying pan to another, let's talk about the glorious art of taking a break." That's right it's time to recover from your old job, especially if you've been treated like a robotic minion instead of the vibrant human being you are. So, grab your favorite beverage and let's explore why taking time off between job changes is not just beneficial, but downright essential for your sanity. Oh, and stick around for some hilarious yoga poses that'll help you find your Zen amidst the chaos.
Emotional Rejuvenation: You know that feeling when you've spent way too much time with people who drain the life out of you? Well, that's exactly why you need a break! Taking time off allows you to emotionally recharge and say "sayonara" to all the workplace drama that sucked the joy out of your existence. When you're refreshed and ready, you can dive into your new job with a newfound zest, ready to conquer the world like a caffeinated unicorn.
Work-Life Balance Restoration: Work-Life Balance has been tricky for me. Tricky because I genuinely enjoy my work in both careers, it can be hard to turn it off. From the outside looking in guiding yoga, meditation, and therapizing may not seem like a very stressful job, might I remind you that people who are in the healing line of work need to make sure to take extra care of themselves. Speaking from personal experience if I don't set healthy boundaries for myself I will find myself over extended trying to do more then I have the actually capacity to do because I'd reverted back to old ways of operating. Change takes time and practice. Picture this: You're a tightrope walker, desperately trying to balance work, personal life, and sanity. But hey, even the most skilled performers need a break from time to time. Taking a breather before starting your new gig gives you the chance to rediscover what it feels like to have a life outside of spreadsheets and meetings. You can catch up on all the missed episodes of your favorite show (I'm almost all caught up on my shows), spend time with friends, or simply enjoy the beauty of doing absolutely nothing. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it.
Reflection and Self-Discovery: Ah, the sweet sound of silence. I love some self-reflection and self-discovery. The findings aren't always my favorite yet I look forward to the findings. Your glorious break is the perfect time for some serious introspection and self-discovery. You can ponder the meaning of life, contemplate your career goals (I'll talk more about this on our phone call), or even question the universe's obsession with avocado toast (not going to lie... I mighta become a part of the problem so I started growing my own avocado tree... I might have some fruit in about 3-4 years realistically and that's my business too). Embrace this opportunity to reconnect with your passions, explore new hobbies, and figure out what truly lights your inner fire. Who knows? You might stumble upon a hidden tambourine playing skill like I did. Shout to Kristen for helping me step my hand percussion up.
Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being: Let's be real here—I've said this before working for companies instead of with companies who don't align with your morals and values can leave you feeling like a deflated balloon. Being honest from the start about what you are looking from a new source of employment can help you stress less. As a therapist I believe that it is important for me to do the same type of work that I encourage my clients to do. I speak openly about seeing a therapist for myself and the things that I work through with the help of my team. Use this precious downtime to indulge in activities that make your heart sing—whether it's going for long walks, meditating, or for me it's sewing and yoga. Both teach me patience in real time. Your mental well-being will thank you, and you'll emerge as a shiny, stress-resistant superhero, ready to conquer any challenge. At least that's how I've been feeling since being welcomed to guide flows for my "In Memory of Community Garden" family. I've also made a couple of clothing items for myself that haven't turned out too bad.
A t-shirt dress I made to go see Erykah Badu in concert for the first time. This was special to me because I told myself 3 years ago I could make a dress and I would see Erykah in concert... I did both with a tambourine in hand.... What a full circle moment for me and the followers of the bald headed chronicles. You better know I've been cheesing cause *my dress cost less then 7 dollars and I made it fly... and I'll tell you why... cause I'm clever... when I bust a rhyme, I'm clev errrrrrr..... ALWAYS ON YO MIND...." Okay let me get back to it. Here is said dress.
If you are interested in making your own t-shirt dress. Here is who taught me.
Increased Job Satisfaction: Listen closely, my friend. By giving yourself the gift of a break, you're setting the stage for epic levels of job satisfaction. You're essentially saying, "No more settling for mediocre gigs that drain my soul!" Taking time off allows you to approach your new job with a refreshed mindset, higher self-worth, and the confidence to demand a work environment that values your uniqueness. It's like swiping left on those toxic relationships and finding the perfect professional match made in heaven. The business of bald headed business is to work with the communities, clients, and businesses I serve as a therapist, yoga, and meditation guide reminding us I am not here to “fix” you, because you aren’t broken. There is also no one stop shop for wellness. I am here to help you uncover and embrace the parts of yourself that you may forget to honor. It's actually my business to be in my clients and communities businesses mindfully. I do my best to lead from example, sometimes things don't always go the way I could have planned and that's the beauty in the growing process. I looks different for everyone.
Yoga Poses to Find Your Inner Chuckles:
Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana): Lie on your back, grab your feet, and rock side to side like the cutest little baby enjoying life. It's a pose that screams, "I have no worries, just pure bliss!"
Wacky Warrior (Ludicrous Virabhadrasana): Strike a warrior pose but with a twist. Instead of a fierce expression, wear the silliest grin imaginable. Pretend you're a superhero on a mission to save the world from boring meetings and lame office parties.
Sloth-asana (Naparazzi Asana): Lie down on your mat and pretend you're a sloth, the epitome of relaxation and leisure. Stretch your arms above your head, take a deep breath, and let out a contented sigh, as if you've just discovered the secret to eternal happiness. It feels silly and I tried to tell myself I didn't have time to do something so childish... When my question is... would you say you had enough time to enjoy the simpler moments of childhood before waking up in the Ghetto of Adult'HOOD? Right... take 5 minutes and be a sloth.
Conclusion: Congratulations on making the wise decision to take a break before diving into your new job! Remember, life is too short to be a workaholic robot in a soul-crushing workplace. By embracing the power of a break, you'll be able to rejuvenate your soul, restore your work-life balance, reflect on your dreams, reduce stress, and unlock the door to unparalleled job satisfaction. So, go forth, my fellow break-taker, and embrace this blissful intermission before your grand comeback. Speaking of yoga and comebacks... If you have been wanting to try it but you aren't sure where to start, all summer long I am hosting mindful movement at "In memory of community garden" (Yes, that's the gardens name. No, it's not bout to close).
Monday evenings at 5:15pm
Friday mornings at 10:15am
Location: 6551 Minock St Detroit MI 48228
We have the mats, blocks, and straps so all you have to do is show up with an open mind and heart.