Enforced confinement within my home with hours of free time stretching ahead of me each day has completely stunted my creativity. Lockdown lethargy has rendered me incapable of completing projects, able only to function at a very basic level of feeding myself, dressing and washing myself and forcing myself out for a walk each day. My “got up and go” has truly “got up and went”. Then I read Pip Lincolne’s latest blog, (see meet me at mike’s) and she listed 25 things that she loves inspired by Julia Cameron and “The Artist’s Way’. She also gave a link to an interview given by Julia to Russell Brand (click here and don’t forget to skip the ads!). Yes! It was my lightbulb moment. I have a project. I have motivation. I am re-visiting Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist’s Way – the book my younger son gave me all those years ago. And I am following Julia’s twelve-week course to unblocking creativity. For the first time in weeks I feel energized and enthusiastic.
Twenty five things I love.
- Being with my sons, daughters-in-law and/ or grandchildren.
- Walking along the Sea Front
- Sitting on my garden bench watching the bees on the flowers
- Sewing, from dress-making to embroidery to making rag dolls
- Knitting and crochet, turning a length of yarn into a wearable item
- Drawing and doodling, from little sketches to Zen Tangles
- Sinking into a book to immerse myself in another world.
- Chocolate. Not just any chocolate but a Reece’s Pieces peanut butter cup straight from fridge.
- Hot water bottles
- Roses/ peonies/agapanthus lilies and arranging flowers.
- Being with friends.
- Sliding into bed between freshly laundered cotton sheets
- Swimming in warm water.
- Feeling the weight of a sleeping baby nestled in my arms.
- Eating vegetables that I have grown myself.
- Attending live Theatre.
- Going to the Cinema.
- Having my toenails trimmed and my feet massaged. Bliss!
- Lying back to have my hair shampooed at the hairdresser’s
- Cooking – combining a few basic ingredients to create tasty meals.
- Messages from my grandchildren, electronic or hand written.
- Driving fast with rock music blaring. Don’t worry: I gave up driving ten years ago!
- Growing new plants from cuttings
- Tai Chi Chuan, although my immobile left shoulder has seriously impacted on my practice.
- Pilates. My body is so much stronger than I realised. Arthritis restricts my movements but I need to keep trying.
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Yes Jane it is so good to look at the positive influences in your life and acknowledge how precious they are. I agree with your list and can add a few more …
Watching my young grandchildren running barefoot in the garden, soaking up sunshine, jumping in the swimming pool, climbing trees then telling me where each ants’ nests can be found and what kind of ants they are. They watch with delight the woodpeckers, bluetits and other birds and comment on their beautiful flights. I am so fortunate that they show such interest in the wildlife I love. They become more feral each day with no schooling since March but their education progress is unstoppable. Jane you have so much to reminisce and so much to look forward to when we explore again. Keep your mojo up and thrive as our youngsters are doing.
Your grandchildren are so lucky, learning so much more than is possible stuck indoors in a classroom.
I love this. I am getting to where one day rolls into another. Part of it is that PT exercises and walking are exhausting and painful. That takes a chunk of time. I, like you, have plenty of projects to make into creative quilts but being apathetic. I will try making a list of the 25 things that I love. Great blog.
I have thought of a few more “things I love” – the list gets very long!
A lovely read!
Thank you
That is a great read, Mum xx
Thankyou. I enjoyed writing it.
Really enjoyed reading this Jane, you are inspirational as always. Lockdown has been a true test of creativity and optimism, I have definitely gone through slumps too. Before my 30th birthday a friend tasked me to write a list of 30 things I am proud of, which helped to lift me out of it – sometimes focusing on positives really does help! We are in a second lockdown here in Oman, hopefully it will be lifted by the end of the week. Lots of love to you x
Thank you, Katie. You are right about focusing on the positives: it does help.
Hello, Katie introduced me to your blog as I posted a favourite poem that she said you enjoy too and now after reading your 25 things you love, I realise I could have written them for myself. Thanks for sharing. What a lovely read.
Thank you, Vikki
Excellent! I hope you still feel the same
Still feel the same – especially about walking.