Yesterday I followed through on a commitment that I had made to myself, and went for a 2 HOUR solo walk around the seawall. I blocked the time off that morning, thereby exiling the excuse “I don’t have the time.” As I laced up my sneakers I could feel the resistance welling up inside me. 2 hours by myself. No distractions. No books. No podcasts. No music. Just me, alone with my thoughts… Ahhhhh!
I wasn’t even going to allow myself the stimulation of a snack, but then I decided to pick up a coffee at a Starbucks near the beginning of my walk… I was feeling drowsy, and a little bit cranky. This just felt like a waste of time, and I wanted to go home and do something “productive” – but I sucked it up and continued my walk. I tried my best to take things in around me. I noticed trees that had a bigger lean than I’d ever previously appreciated, I noticed a group of boys filming a music video, I noticed the expressions on the faces of the runners that passed me (I think you can learn a lot about someone by looking at their body language/facial expressions as they exercise). The further I walked the better I began to feel. When I got to the half way point I sat on the beach and watched a couple play some sort of badminton like sport for about 10 minutes. It was neat to watch their dynamic. Then they stopped playing, so I got up and returned home.
On my way home I started to think about all the reasons why I was apparently not good enough. I tried laughing at my logic. It was hard at first, and then I started to have a little bit of fun with it. I began to mock my inner critic, and then a smile started to creep its way onto my face. I began to feel a little bit spontaneous. I saw a playground and a swing set, and on a whim I skipped over to the swings and started to play. How high could I go. I stayed on that swing for a good 10 minutes before jumping off of it, and yes (almost) sticking the landing.
Now I was really smiling. I walked with a little bit of a skip in my step the rest of the way home. My smile must have been contagious, because as people passed me they started smiling too. When I finally left to go to the theatre (I was attending a show – I’ll post about this later) I was feeling on top of the world.
I think that this may have been the first pure and simple artist’s date that I’ve been on, and now that I’ve done it… I think it’s sort of a no-brainer that this needs to be incorporated into my routine.
Have you ever done anything like this before?
I love doing stuff like this. It reminds me not to get so wrapped up in myself and look around! We all need to stop and smell the roses!
I so agree, and I know that I don’t do it nearly enough. I can get so internal sometimes, especially with all the writing that I do, that I’m starting to realize the importance of getting in my body. What kind of stuff do you do?
I go on walks and meditate a bit by focusing on music that doesn’t have words. I also Tangle (Zentangle), which is meditative drawing. It really helps
Often, what really gets me out of myself is helping others. Sometimes I have helped at a soup kitchen, or work with an after school program.
What else do you do? Do you find it difficult, especially when you don’t have enough time, to really get into it and let yourself go?
O I’ve never heard of meditative drawing. That sounds so interesting! Volunteering is a great idea for an artist’s date. Thank you. I’ve been thinking that it might be fun to volunteer at the SPCA and walk dogs. Would do my heart good I think.
Yeah, I completely agree. I also find it difficult to set aside the time, but I’m learning to make it a priority. My most successful artist’s date yet has been the walk, but I also do dance classes, singing lessons, and I’ve done a few spa nights at my home.
Yeah…all of those things help me and just get me thinking in different ways. I think this is important!
This is great! I think its so important for people to do things on there own like this. I go on a ‘date’ every week where I do something for myself like this.
Oh and how lovely it must be to leave by the sea!
Yeah, I do love living in Vancouver. That’s definitely a perk. What kind of things do you do?
I actually went for a three-hour solo hike today! No phone, no friends, no music. It was lovely. Thank you for the inspiration!
Your welcome. Wow. 3 hours! That sounds so luxurious. How did you feel when you got home? Did you notice any changes from the beginning of your walk to the end?
I felt amazing. I noticed my mental problems and games were diminished and I felt calm yet energized. The sun and nature were so soothing…
It is an amazing thing to do isn’t it, I have never thought of blogging mine – but I have to say I really enjoyed reading yours, so maybe I will aim for a monthly artists date and blog post too. Thanks for the muse. Recently ‘real life’ things have been so busy that like you I want my free time to be productive, after reading this post I can see how productive this time is though and how it may help me become a more effective writer. Plus the Summer has finally arrived!
Loved this;
My smile must have been contagious, because as people passed me they started smiling too.
So true!
As is the feeling happy – that’s why Laugh Therapy is a real thing. Believe me (not that I tried the therapy) but in trying to help myself through last year I read about it. When you laugh – body releases endorphins and although we are intelligent beings (because we don’t use our full brain capacity) your body reactions couldn’t tell that the laugh was forced to begin with and you end up feeling better.