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 
You know, I think it is something to do with getting older and the need to slow down and do nothing much. I find I really enjoy my routines at home – a puzzle in the morning after breakfast to get the brain going, then some time on the computer, reading a book for a while after lunch, and so on.
But you are right that we do need to get out and do different things, at least every second day. Because I like to have a schedule, if that works for you too, maybe a walk in a nearby park armed with the camera could be something to get you out and about every couple of days or so. Then of course you need to schedule in time to edit the resulting photographs!
I think the real secret is to do different things at different times, whether it’s each day or once a week or whatever, as that keeps the brain ticking over.
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I am the type of person who needs to be active with only a couple of rest days. I have always been active and sometimes old age interferes with that. Haha
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I’ll let you know when I figure it out. I’ve been in a slump for three years and counting. I think one thing is to do something without having any expectations about it. Like, don’t say “I’m going to go watch the sunset because it will bring me peace or joy.” Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Maybe it will trigger some long forgotten emotion. Just go watch the sunset. Period.
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That;s a good attitude to have. It is lovely to do things without expectations. 🌻❤️🌻
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Yes, I know that feeling of coming home from something that has just made you feel wonderful – a great movie, concert, time with friends, walk etc and you feel life is wonderful – and then it seeps away as it must. For me, part of it is just accepting that cycle and getting on with the usual things I like to do while trying to work out ways of ensuring those times happen more often! But sometimes it’s just alchemy isn’t it. Another time with the very same friends might be nice but not have that extra high.
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I agree. This is exactly what seems to happen. I’ve always been really social and now have slowed down in older age. Moods and activities change.
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Me too … always been social but do enjoy quieter times more often too now.
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TBH comfort reading is what I often turn to when my life slumps. IDK if the Flow book would help or annoy me, but I just usually need the familiar pleasures of favourite authors to make me feel better!
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Favourite books or authors are like old friends. Surprising how much comfort they give.
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HI Penguin I get in slumps somewhat frequently and have for several decades. I’ve come to accept that they are needed -everything contains its opposite, and how can I know joy if I don’t know sadness….you get the idea. So first is acceptance- I consider myself lying fallow….. Then I read murder mysteries- these are easy on the brain, and I have a couple of authors whose work I know lets me escape to sunny and interesting places eg the south of France. Eventually it all seems to pass, I get tired of the murder mysteries, and my energy and enthusiasm for life returns. So I guess I am saying, don’t be so hard on yourself…….I will soon be 79 years old and have finally figured this out! Regards J Josée Posen Toronto
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You are only a couple of yrs older than me. It is lovely how books we love give so much pleasure.
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When I feel lethargic and uninspired, I visit blogs (like yours!) I am about to go on a trip with my husband where he will be happily occupied all day, but my days next week will be open-ended. What shall I choose to do? I want to read and write, so I’m storing up books and notebooks to take along, but I also need to make a few plans for possibilities. Thank you for mentioning this book. I actually have a copy under my bed and it might shake up my snow-globe brain this morning.
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Sounds wonderful. I like how you pack notebooks and a bookmor two. Now you just need a nice cafe to relax in.
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I’m not sure about this, Pam, but I think that sometimes we need a bit of a slump. It might be our bodies and brains telling us to take a break and not feel the need to be so busy all the time?
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I agree with that to some extent. I usually allow 3 days a week if not 4 to have rest days when I stay home and do quiet things. Anymore than that I get bored and down in the dumps. We all need a balance.
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Yes, it’s finding it that’s the hard part.
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I know what you mean. I have said, every day for a week or more(!) that I’ll go for a walk and take some photos of the autumn leaves. Well, I’d better hurry ‘cos leaves are falling…
Perhaps this is just a seasonal funk?
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Hahaha it is the first 10 minutes that are the hardest. After that it’s fine to keep going.
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