Anyone who
regularly visits this blog will know that I have a bit of a thing about time
for oneself. I harp on about taking time out to do something for you, giving yourself
time to think and the space to be a little bit calmer. I try to practise what I
preacher, but to be honest I don’t always find it that easy.
On the
journey home today I was listening to the radio, one discussion I heard was
about being open to doing things differently, which is something I would like
to think I aim for if not achieve. However as I listened I started thinking,
perhaps one of the reasons I struggle to make time for me, is because I always
come at it from the same starting point. Whilst I’m open to change, I rarely
seek it out; maybe shaking things up a little is exactly what I need to help
find the ‘me’ space I am looking for.
Something I
have been trying recently is a basterdisation of daily pages, I try and write
for at least five or ten minutes every evening as soon as I get home from work.
Today I realised that, although it is a start, it is essentially a variation of
the way I always approach my writing. Whenever I find time and space to write I
latch on to the first idea that has legs and then go from 0-60 flat out. I have
an idea and I go straight into writing with out giving the idea time to grow,
mature or develop. The worst habit this leaves me with is that if I have time
to write, but no idea is forthcoming I just give up or find a distraction.
So today
instead of flinging myself straight in, I made tea and toast, and gave the
ideas time to brew, along with the tea. Admittedly once I did get to the
actually act of writing things were as frantic as ever. Next time maybe I will
challenge myself a bit more, write a sentence and then take a moment, though
the fear of losing the train of though might make that quite a big challenge. Small
steps are still steps in the right direction.
I guess what
I am getting at is that sometimes you need to interrupt yourself to allow those
magic little moments of insight and inspiration to interrupt your life. Change
your patterns and see what you discover. I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Let me know what changes you make and how they go.
