You know when you look forward to an event and it lifts the mood. The event arrives and it is such a good time. Then it is over and you look ahead once again. Nothing on the horizon? A bit of a slump happens.
I looked forward to the photography fungi trip in the southwest. We photographed fagus and fungi and spent time with new friends. It was fun. Then it was over. Now what?
Winter is coming. Our beautiful small state is in drought. Back to the gym. Same old, same old. Now is the time to pick up a book and get motivated again. I have a list of things to do. Edit my fungi photos. Get back to my long walks with the camera. Enjoy the drought? Not really but it does mean the temps are a bit higher and the sun is out. Good for getting out.
Today I have pulled this book off my shelf. It isn’t really a self help book but I suppose a pep talk of a book. It is published by Flow Magazine. I like Flow magazine but they stopped publishing in English a few years ago. I understand they are now printing an English version but it doesn’t seem to be scattered around Australia. It is published in the Netherlands I believe. It is a lifestyle type of magazine with lots of stationary thrown in.
The book is called A book the takes its time: an unhurried adventure in creative mindfulness. It has poetry;
In today’s busy world, it’s often hard to find time to devote our attention to a single task. We want to do everything! And sometimes it’s so paralysing that we end up doing nothing. (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
and fun little lists of things to do.
- Read a book out of your regular genre
- Clear our a closet and donate
- Try a fruit you’ve not eaten before
- Mail a letter to someone using snail mail
- Start a new diary or journal. Find a tiny journal and go on a day trip and record it.
You get the gist. There are recipes. Suggestions to visit a touristy spot you’ve not visited. Write in your journal. It is really “start something and commit to 10 minutes” just to get out of a slump.
The reason I’ve pulled it off the shelf is because I want some activities where I can take my camera. I want to document a bit of life that no one else is taking photos of. I’m kind of thinking of driving to one of the small little towns in southern Tasmania and park the car. Get out and walk with the camera. What can I find? People? Structures? Knick knacks? Decor? Animals? Who knows.
I just know I need to get out of the slump and do something to rev up my mind and body this coming week.
Will this book kick my backside and get me out of the house? Who knows? It is quite corny in parts. One of the suggestions is to try a new cocktail I’ve not had. Will I go down to a waterfront restaurant, look out at the harbour and try new cocktails? No, I hardly think that would be a good idea, though it does sound fun.
Instead I will spend this sunny, warmish afternoon thumbing through this book and see what others in Scandinavia are suggesting through this publication.
I do know I am going to see my personal trainer at the gym Monday morning at 8 am. I’m going to have her set me up on a new program with the machines I’ve not used. I always feel good after a gym session. I like the people. It can be quite social which is important.
I have a photography excursion coming up this week at the waterfront. After dark with friends and cameras. That might get me inspired.I also have a lunch later in the week with a group of friends. I’d go to a book launch at Fullers book shop but there isn’t anything on at the moment I’m interested in. Though they are having a couple of launches that are outside of the type of books I read. Could be something.
We’ll see how the week goes and I’ll let you know next weekend what happened. Will it get me out of the slump I’ve been in since I got so ill? My health is good again so no reason it shouldn’t. Sometimes we just have to trust we’re doing the right thing for ourself whether we feel like it or not.
Question: What do you do when you’re feeling lethargic and uninspired? I’d really like to know. Maybe you get in a reading or exercise slump or you’re just fed up with the world. Thank you for dropping by. I like hearing from you.
Travellin' Penguin 