What can you say these days?
I feel as if I am walking a fine line between being open to information; trying to plan and prepare; adapting to new situations in a matter of hours or days; trying to imagine the future; keeping calm; being careful; cancelling things left, right and centre; worrying about family and friends; trying to sprinkle some money around town help out our small businesses; and having the occasional laugh at something ridiculous.
We are fortunate that life on the mountain is pretty stay at home-y most of the time; we have been able to spend vast amounts of time on our own; and even driving into the new studio and back involves no other folk.
So for now we socially distance as much as we possibly can. We stay at home as much as we can. Soon we may be forced to stay home; it's an evolving story for all of us, everywhere. Our world will be forever changed. We will be changed.
But over the weekend I went to the studio and printed some wee cards. I had woken at 3am one morning - and no way could I get back to sleep. My head was churning, trying hard to think of all the things we needed to do; and trying just as hard not to think about the scenario we find ourselves in.
I had read a post by Elizabeth Gilbert on Instagram about some words that help her manage anxiety.
I wrote them down and the next morning when I woke at 3am, wide awake and worrying, I tried them out.
And for me, they worked.
One side of the card just has the numbers 5 4 3 2 1.
I decided why not test out a thing I have wanted to do - that colour blending thing. I was barely capable of deciding which colours to use, so grabbed blue and green and went with it. And I liked it.
Once I went printing, I realised I liked the dark original print, but that I liked the second and third prints (much lighter) just as much, so I did that.
They are all about being there, and focusing on what is around you, using our five senses. I tried it in the semi dark at 3am and it still worked (funny it was hard to do the first bit with your eyes closed trying to relax back to sleep!!!). I opened them for that, then shut them.
So the idea is to identify and say to yourself 5 things you can see; then 4 things you can hear; 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.
It really makes you stop and be absolutely present as you strain your ears or your nose to discover them. I guess its about paying attention too.
I found they worked and I went back to sleep so that was good. It may or may not work another time; it may or may not work for anybody else. But it might.
So if you'd like one or two; or if you know somebody who might like some, let me know and I'll do my best to pop them in the post to you (hoping the postal service continues).
I might also be able to scan them and then you can print them back to back yourself on some nice card? New times call for new ways and we shall find them.
Best to you all wherever you are and facing whatever you are facing. The world does have some magical people in it and we shall connect and do our best for each other in small ways and in big ways from here and from there. Go gently, go well, stay well.
I feel as if I am walking a fine line between being open to information; trying to plan and prepare; adapting to new situations in a matter of hours or days; trying to imagine the future; keeping calm; being careful; cancelling things left, right and centre; worrying about family and friends; trying to sprinkle some money around town help out our small businesses; and having the occasional laugh at something ridiculous.
We are fortunate that life on the mountain is pretty stay at home-y most of the time; we have been able to spend vast amounts of time on our own; and even driving into the new studio and back involves no other folk.
So for now we socially distance as much as we possibly can. We stay at home as much as we can. Soon we may be forced to stay home; it's an evolving story for all of us, everywhere. Our world will be forever changed. We will be changed.
But over the weekend I went to the studio and printed some wee cards. I had woken at 3am one morning - and no way could I get back to sleep. My head was churning, trying hard to think of all the things we needed to do; and trying just as hard not to think about the scenario we find ourselves in.
I had read a post by Elizabeth Gilbert on Instagram about some words that help her manage anxiety.
I wrote them down and the next morning when I woke at 3am, wide awake and worrying, I tried them out.
And for me, they worked.
One side of the card just has the numbers 5 4 3 2 1.
I decided why not test out a thing I have wanted to do - that colour blending thing. I was barely capable of deciding which colours to use, so grabbed blue and green and went with it. And I liked it.
Once I went printing, I realised I liked the dark original print, but that I liked the second and third prints (much lighter) just as much, so I did that.
On the back I was going to print the 5 things. It took me a little while to work out the typeface and the size but it all came together and today I went and printed the words.
They are all about being there, and focusing on what is around you, using our five senses. I tried it in the semi dark at 3am and it still worked (funny it was hard to do the first bit with your eyes closed trying to relax back to sleep!!!). I opened them for that, then shut them.
So the idea is to identify and say to yourself 5 things you can see; then 4 things you can hear; 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.
It really makes you stop and be absolutely present as you strain your ears or your nose to discover them. I guess its about paying attention too.
I found they worked and I went back to sleep so that was good. It may or may not work another time; it may or may not work for anybody else. But it might.
So if you'd like one or two; or if you know somebody who might like some, let me know and I'll do my best to pop them in the post to you (hoping the postal service continues).
I might also be able to scan them and then you can print them back to back yourself on some nice card? New times call for new ways and we shall find them.
Best to you all wherever you are and facing whatever you are facing. The world does have some magical people in it and we shall connect and do our best for each other in small ways and in big ways from here and from there. Go gently, go well, stay well.
Thoughtfully creative Fi! Loved the journey. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks G - stay well and stay safe too Doesn't it seem odd today to be thinking "I was tossing up travelling or not"? How things have changed so swiftly...Go gently.
Deletethese subtle colour tones..lovely ! Best to you all !
ReplyDeleteThanks Annick - the gradation worked well and I think blue and green are rather calming. I hope you are staying safe and well over your way - these are difficulties fo sure. Go well.
Deletethe middle of the night ... I almost dread going to bed these days
ReplyDeleteand my card/collage today is about that, about the dark side ... so I hope to link here as one way to find our way through the darkness ...
and the blended colors ... like the holy space between the sea and the sky ...
be well ... may all be well ...
Liz, the darkness reverberates at night and yet we know that dawn and day will follow. We wait, and we hope. Thank you for your lovely ways of seeing that holy space between sea and sky. Julian of Norwish may become a staff to hold onto - all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well... I wish you well.
DeleteI’m having severe studio envy. Being between studios has never been harder as it’s the perfect isolation chamber. Enjoy the freedom xx
ReplyDeleteWe have really enjoyed the isolation chamber fo the studio and moving between them safely has been bonus. Will probably lose that freedom in a lockdown so we are now pondering what to bring back! Go well.
DeleteThey are perfect.... love the idea and where it was born...save me one please....a remembering....
ReplyDeleteHi C - glad you enjoy them and their story...will hold one for you for sure.
DeleteHi. I have seen your name in comments around this community forever, and finally came on over from Liz's place today. What a treat! These 5 things are a good reminder and sharing them helps spread the goodness. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethis makes me happy beyond words ...
DeleteThanks for popping by Nancy - sorry I am late with replying! It is so good to connect with others across the world and the waves; and this network of support is a special place. Go well.
Delete... and I think that as winter approaches and the days start getting shorter and shorter and the the dark nights get longer and longer, and the news gets sadder and scarier, our social isolation from family and friends and workmates and neighbours will possibly push us into a deep malaise that may seem unending - BUT - we must stay strong and caring for others near and far from us - there is always the phone, Skype, Zoom, Whats App and so many other clever ways we can communicate and stay in touch ... xxxK
ReplyDeleteYes Ken, we still have winter to look forward to amongst it all ,and darkness and cold rarely set me on fire with cheeriness (unless I am in Scotland!). We must be physically separate but like you say we have so many good ways of staying in touch and connecting and doing virtual things...take care and stay well.
DeleteWhat a lovely way of getting through this time. It is so unsettling and as both of us are in our 80's and with underlying health problems even more so. The garden is being revisited but with winter approaching we may find we are growing vegetables as never before. Thank you for being such busy, nice people.
ReplyDeletePenny, the fear is real isn't it? And is still seems such an unknown, but at least we all know the mantra now - just stay home. We hope you journey safely thru this tricky time and find moments of sunshine, of goodness, of kindness and of happiness. Take care and go gently.
DeleteI think we in the UK are a little ahead of you with this awful disease. We have had many deaths and many cases here - and worryingly also many people who seem to be ignoring advice and thinking that it and the restrictions do not apply to them.
ReplyDeleteLike you we are finding sleeping difficult. Both being over 70, we are socially distancing and isolating ourselves as much as we can with only brief forays out into the fields behind our house for exercise. Adusting to all this and the thought that we won't see family or friends for several months is hard. Reading emails, Facetiming, or Skyping and reading blogs like yours are all wonderful diversions - and having creative pursuits to fall back on is essential.
Stay safe and healthy ... I will keep reading your posts and enjoying seeing your work. It lifts my spirits!
Thank you Margaret, and yes I think we are watching what is happening your way with a strange sense of foreboding as we know we will be down your path soon enough. I feel fortunate as a maker and person who imagines and creates that I do have creative outlets and options for doing things. Being a homebody introvert is also a bonus right now. Adapting to new realisations isn't easy, and living with uncertainty is tough, but we are all learning so much. Stay safe, stay well and go gently.
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