I’m sure that many of you have been wondering, “Hey, Rafi and Klee, where have you guys been?”
We are officially taking a break.
Recently, Klee and I bought a beautiful old house in Pennsylvania. We have been doing repairs, doing all kinds of things, and getting our studio up and running.
We’ve been recording things and putting them on our adventure channel as we’re doing repairs. The common theme seems to be that we are exhausted. Whenever I look at the footage, we’re both so freaking tired and beat. It’s been emotionally and physically challenging.
About a week ago, I woke up, and I was more exhausted than I had ever been in my life. Both Klee and I got a little bit scared.
The fact is that I like to get things done, but when you have an overwhelming amount of stuff to get done, it can be too much for your mind and body.
With all the work that has been happening since we moved in, I didn’t actually take any days off to really enjoy the house. In fact, the only day I remember taking off was when the power went out. That’s not healthy behavior.
I got set in the habit and a mentality that when I get this done, then I can relax. When I get this done, then I could take a break. The truth is, it is never-ending. You have to be willing to take time for self-care, put things off, and prioritize your emotional and physical wellness.
I didn’t do that.
We accomplished a lot in six months. But at the cost of my well-being. I pushed myself too hard.
Enjoy your life. Don’t push, push, push, push, push. A friend of mine who knows all the stuff we’ve been doing jokingly said, “you may do all that work and finally get it done just to die.”
That really struck a chord with me because I was like, okay, so I keep doing all this stuff thinking, “Someday. Someday.”
Luckily, I hit a complete and utter exhaustion wall that stopped me in my tracks.
I love the position I’m in and what I do for a living. It’s amazing. But I know that I can quickly turn it into work that I stress out about.
However, life is too short for that garbage, the best thing you can do is step back and really look at the whole picture. The complete picture is how you want to live your life day to day.
It’s not “I want to get here” or “I want to get there.” It’s, “how do I want to live right now?”
Watch the video below to listen to the full story and my thoughts on this whole thing.
Hey Rafi! I am reading your first book right now, and I gotta say, I’m really enjoying it. I read it before I fall asleep, because I was reading murder mysteries, and had really bad dreams. So now I’m reading something soothing, ie, your book. My husband died a year ago in January after a long battle with Alzheimers. So he was in a nursing home because I couldn’t take care of him, and then there’s this Covid thing, and I could no longer go see him because there were Covid cases in his nursing home, and he dies with out me being there. What the Hell?? The past couple of days I’ve been down on myself because with all that has been going on, I have left my house go. I went on auto pilot, paid the bills, bought groceries, did laundry, and took care of the dogs, and that’s about it for a couple of years. After watching your most recent YouTube, I realize that I am burned out. Flat out burned out. I am tired, and I’m going to take what you have just said, and ask my self, “How do I want to live my life every day?” How do I want to make my life? How do I want to be? Thanks for sharing what you did. I really needed to hear it. xo. Su
Oh Rafi. In the last 4 years I’ve had 3 MAJOR surgeries. 1st a spinal/neurosurgery, then cancer and total hysterectomy. Then a second but much more serious/invasive spinal surgery…almost 7 hours long. About a year ago now.
In that time I’ve tried to create, but it’s been very difficult.
I’m a “type A”, and the amount of chores I’m behind on is now the size of “Kilimanjaro”.
My art business has suffered, my “momentum” went away, I am only now starting to “see light” at the end of the tunnel.
And I am woefully behind. And un-able to ever get back to my usual “super-woman” abilities.
I am a list maker; I start off with a “plan” and “goals”. But life as you know can get in the way.
We both need to learn to take “smaller bites”, and SCHEDULE time each and every week to ACTIVELY take a rest.
I know that your and Klees livelihoods are tied to this “Art” endeavor; but your adoring public will be here, waiting, and we give you permission to BE HUMAN.
So…go be the AWESOME human you are. Sit on the porch. Twiddle your thumbs…I will join you in doing same.
God Bless you both
Polly Miller
PHM Designs (lol still working on my art website😒😞…sigh…)
Yes, let’s relax and enjoy this crazy thing called life.
Stay positive and take a break Rafi. We will be here when you get rested.
Thank you!