Hi,
There are times, I think, when it’s better to be in the slow lane.
This afternoon’s dog walk was unhurried. Letting me feel the cool but not cold wind and giving the Hounds of the Basketcases sniff and -ahem- decorate the woods.
Likewise, some garden tidying and taking things to the recycling yard. No looking at the clock and worrying with the next appointment is. Getting those “To Do” items out of my head felt good as well.
While I’m certainly feeling the dip in monies, I think I’m finding the time back more useful.
Talking of time, I’ve booked myself in for some self care / beauty treatment next week. Luckily I fell on a gap in the waxing specialist’s diary, so I’m looking forward to that too. I shall be glad to be rid of that winter coat 😁
I note it’s LGBTQIA History Month in the UK. I’ve seen a number of flags, history posters, and whatnot here & there, and that’s a good thing. Representation matters and all that.
I’m going to gently nudge the I Am Doing Enough pebbles of guilt* into the bushes and not worry about it. There’s only do much space in my head, and maybe it’s better to give that over to things that are actually helpful.
L x
( * Yes, D&D massive, cursed item, found treasure type B of Justmadeitup 🙂 )
PS: Yes, there’s news about the two who murdered Brianna, but I’m not giving them any brainspace. I’d rather focus on how we can make us safer as a community. Also, this on advice to schools from – shock! – people who are part of the trans community.
Time in the Slow Lane is good. You can idle along, take time to watch the scenery and even the slow change of the seasons (too slow, hurry up there, Spring) while others race past in the Fast Lane, desperately overtaking each other in the race to the next highly important appointment, interview, meeting, burnout and heart attack. These days I’m more content to stop and stand for ten minutes watching the squirrels chase each other around the trees in the garden. Yes, there’s always a To-Do List, but now it’s more and more filled with my To-Dos (which includes things I want to do as well as things I have to do) rather than being filled with somebody else’s.
To take joy in the moment: what a gift! To listen to birdsong, see wildlife though the seasons, feel the wind& sun, and being present in the world; sometimes I forget the good that does.
On thinking about your words and the advice from the counsellor in the summer, the lack of mindfulness is something I need to watch out for. For example, taking time for a walk a lunch. It’s not really a break if I spend that time thinking about work and chores. Perhaps watching the squirrels would help with that 🙂
There’s also a lot to be said for shutting out the world by immersing yourself in a good* absorbing book.
(* for varying degrees of good. A well-done trashy novel works just as well – if not better – than highbrow litrachure. As for testing absorbency, you could always try reading in the bath.)
Ah, to be engrossed in a good story, what a gift. A joyful exercise for the imagination as well.
I’m glad to hear you are making time for what matters. That’s the most valuable use of time you can do, despite pressures to the contrary.
I had a schoolfriend (who’s now a leading politician who likes to grope women … actually maybe detailing that last bit is superfluous: he’s a leading politician, enough said) … anyway, I had a schoolfriend who had a slobbering doggie and we would take this shabby critter to that part of the park known affectionately if unofficially as Plop Wood. Let’s just say that no wise walker would walk in Plop Wood if they had no dog on business. I’m not sure why I mention all this other than that it’s the only experience of doggie dos duty that I have. And that the Hounds of the Basketcases made me guffaw into my tea. Where’s the mopcloth, Watson?
I’m sure the waxing will be good for your feminine psyche. Even if your body smarts from it!
Have a nice week
Sue x
One assumes Plop Wood is not mentioned by Visit England or estates agents? 😉
A friend who’s a mountain biker said that a local wood was a similar hazard. The trees would be -ahem- adorned with used bags, as the locals felt they were too far to take home. Cue very a careful downhill ride to avoid hitting them.
Luckily, both of our local walks have plenty of bins. Places that don’t tend to be more littered. I’m no scientist, but I’m sensing a connection 🙄
To nicer news, the visit to the beautician was just what I needed. To feel good about one’s body and to enjoy a treatment – as much as you can given waxing! Well, that’s quite a gift, IMO.