I’m just back from four weeks writing in the Scottish Borders. I’ve been back for two weeks now and it kind of feels like a distant memory. One of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot is the importance of giving ourselves time and space in a world that demands we work so quickly. We’re all under constant pressure these days — living in this very fast paced and immediate culture.
I have always told myself that I can just go at a million miles an hour. However, in Scotland, I took some time out of working like that and allowed myself to be fully present. I limited my distractions outside of writing so my brain could just think and feel, and found it was beneficial for every single project I’m working on. I can go that million miles an hour, but I’ve realised it’s definitely not good for my brain.
It feels so obvious now, but I had told myself one narrative about the way my brain works and just stuck to it. I thought I was functioning best in a state of constant connection and communication. I’m someone who is always surrounded by other people. Whether that’s my partner, family or friends — I just love being around people. I discovered over that four weeks that I’m someone who can enjoy solitude, too. This came as a surprise as I’ve always been a little bit afraid of my own company.
We all need more time and space. I don’t know how to carve that out yet, especially when you’re on the clock, but my biggest take away from my four weeks was what happened when I was forced to sit with myself. To just write and really sit with the work also.
It’s taught me it’s never too late to figure out new ways of doing things, which will ultimately mean you can focus and function better. I’d also told myself things like meditation were not for me as my brain was too busy. Well, I tried a little bit of meditation when I was away and I definitely didn’t hate it.
Sometimes we need moments to rest and reconnect. Take the time to think about what our bodies need. I think we often tell ourselves all these stories, patterns and absolute truths about who we are. It’s never too late to keep rediscovering. Now I know I can sit with myself and claim that solitude, it has revealed to me new truths about what might be possible.
So here is a mid-week reminder that we should allow ourselves a little more space and grace to reconsider who we are. How we might like to move through the world, and how to get the best from ourselves. Brain, body and soul.
Thank you, needed that x