Day 8

Today’s Takeaway: I refuse to hit pause on planning my future.

Today is my ultrasound to determine the next steps in my cancer journey. By Monday I should have a better picture of how the rest of this sabbatical is gonna go. The uncertainty of the future is more torturous for me than waiting for the results. Anyone who knows me will tell you...I’m a planner.

We’re not just talking I plan events, career kind of planner; I’m that too. 😉 We’re talking down to my DNA, defining characteristic of my personality, interwoven into everything I do - kind of planner. So to be in a situation where I can’t tell you where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing 2 weeks or a month from now, is debilitating for me. I needed a way around it. But what could I do, rely on, PLAN for, that I would be able to do regardless of the results of these tests?

I could write. ❤️

So I started writing these posts as a way of taking control and not letting the medical reason define my sabbatical. It’s only been 8 days and 8 posts, but this blogging challenge has been transformative. And in true Liz Leary fashion it’s inspired me to take this one step further.

Over the last couple of years I’ve slowly been laying the groundwork for launching my own blog - Gather with LL. A blog that would center on what I know best; crafting world-class employee experience, gathering with purpose, workplace culture and how to cultivate it - all things connection in this confusing new world of remote, hybrid and IRL companies. But with the demands of my full-time job, family, and life in general, full focus on this dream just wasn’t realistic. (Duh, right?)

I wholeheartedly believe the universe stepped in and created the space. Was bringing cancer back into my life a pretty shitty delivery method? Sure.

But message received!

“The Sabbatical Life” posts will continue as planned. Every day for the duration of my leave. Not just because it cathartic and important to me through this journey, but because being a trustworthy, reliable and vulnerable voice in this space is paramount to building the type of community I’ve always dreamed of. The type of community that creates emotional safety and accessibility for all who choose to engage with it. The type of community I want “Gather with LL” to be.

On March 25th, 2023 I take the next step towards bringing that dream to fruition. I will push publish on my website and Gather with LL will go live to the world.

Sooo...