I am back! Although there is no way I can catch up with all my overdue blogs from last year and this year. I guess it is just a matter of accepting that sometimes life itself has different plans, that at times your enthusiasm may be tainted by a shade of procrastination, that every so often inspiration needs to be turned off to let your mind process the shenanigans of your existence. The key is to remain true to yourself and do not get lost in a maze of guilt. At the end of the day, there are no rules, no impositions, no obligations other than the ones we set up for ourselves. What really counts is the fact that I am here writing again, and a new blog will be out soon. Let’s be positive, let’s be proactive, let’s be creative.
A year has gone by and I have not been able to sit down and write. Bright early spring evening, my usual cupán tae, a candle flickering away. My mind is buzzing with lots of words awaiting to be freed. It is great to see that my writing skills have not vanished away. The difficulty is now to decide what my blog will be about: too many ideas to choose from. Since my last one, there has been a clear constant pattern: get out! Despite the rain or the cold, get out. Despite the tiredness, get out. Despite the lack of time, get out. Despite what needs to be done, get out. Despite what holds you back, get out. Despite what is worrying you, get out. Despite not feeling motivated, get out. Despite not feeling like it, get out. Despite not having the energy for it, get out. Once you are out and about, you quickly realise that it is the best thing you could have done!
I have been out and about, as much as I have been able to, no regrets. Because, it is so easy to get stuck in the thick webs of life commitments. It is so easy to become a prisoner in the cells of the “it is too late, I am too tired, I do not have time” excuses. It is so easy to forget that those little things can make such a big difference. On the other hand, it can be difficult to break free from the chains of our responsibilities. It can be difficult to escape from the ties of our job and housework routines. It can be difficult to stop and focus on the here and now. If you just carry on with your life, you may end up realising that the weekend is over without having recharged your batteries, that the summer is nearly gone without having packed it with loads of new memories, that another year is about to come to an end without having had a dream come true.
Out and about. It does not have to be the most exciting adventure, or the perfectly planned day out, nor the best trip abroad ever. Simple things are the best treat for the soul. Simple things gift us truly enjoyable moments. Simple things make us feel alive. Make yourself a cup of tea and sit outside in the garden, I may have already said that a few times. Get in your car and go for a drive while listening to music and singing along, probably mentioned that before too. Grab your flask and head to the seaside. Go to the supermarket and indulge yourself with a pack of dark chocolate biscuits. Go to one of your favourite clothes shops, pick up a few pieces and try them on. Get your camera and capture colours, shades, nature. Feel the rain on your skin, feel the sea breeze on your face, feel the cold give you goosebumps.Walk along the beach and collect shells and seaglass. Go to a second hand shop and search for treasures. Embrace the sounds of the ocean and let it carry your worries away. Out and about.
On the other side, I have also been in and around. It has been a difficult year for me, a lot going on: my body trying to cope with the stampede of changes, my mind trying to silence those gremlins of mine, my brain struggling to process irrational issues, me trying to understand that some things have changed forever, me trying to survive to the joys of commuting, me trying to be me despite the circumstances. There is no doubt that the shenanigans of my existence have kept me occupied and preoccupied. There have been days, evenings, mornings, when doing nothing and staying in has kept my insanity under control. There have been moments, when just going for a lay down has helped both my mind and body to restore. There is nothing wrong in not being productive all the time, there is no reason to feel bad about doing nothing, there is no shame in not being in the mood to be out and about.
One could say though, that I have managed to find some sort of balance between being in and around, and out and about. At least, this has worked out well for me so far. It is not all about being active all the time, buzzing around like a busy bee. It is not all about relaxing and doing nothing all the time, sleeping like a sloth. It is in fact a matter of finding your own life balance: an ounce of out and about and another ounce of in and around: just my recipe.
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 