Slow days…
Amongst the days we all experience, slow ones can seem the most problematic. Slow. Suggests sluggish, lazy, unproductive…
I experience these doubts myself when a slow day feels inevitable. Perhaps though they are the counter to the frenzied energy of creation? For without the slow, there would not be the opportunity for contemplation and reflection? To assess a current muse or leave space to allow a new one to arrive?
Traditionally on a slow day I find myself skipping from task to task to feel productive yet making very little progress on anything - perhaps it would be more productive to embrace this experience, to welcome it with open arms. To sit and be, to quietly observe my thoughts and comtemplate their meaning. To enjoy the physical sensations of the warmth and smell of a good coffee, or the close proximity and smell of a warm dog after a brisk walk on a cold morning. Times of productivity will return as certain as day follows night, there is meaning to find in this nothing-ness… and so, I will return to my thoughts and say, until next time, more soon…
Support my work
I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any donation, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free. Alternatively, feel free to buy me a coffee.
On slow days I don't skip between tasks, I think deeply about one or two tasks, or just let thoughts float around me.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm unusual, because they days when I switch on, few and far though they are, are incredibly productive, and just a bit messy. But very focussed.
I can't help bringing the day job into it. I have a silly need to have the next ten steps fully defined and ready to go before I do step one. It is absolutly not what I preach to others
Thanks James, for bringing a different angle to the same muse.
DeleteHi James. I find the more that I have to do, the less I get done. There are definitely parts of model railways I like doing and others I don't. That overwhelming feeling when wiring or baseboard construction needs to be done can stop me building anything. A firm prod in the right direction usually from my wife or grandson usually gets things done in the end! It's funny how the winter is the time when we do more modelling but I'm actually far more likely to build something in the summer when I'm inspired by good weather and the glue dries quickly! Thank you for the thought provoking narrative. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting - both you and James have come at this from another angle. I was thinking how a slow day for me is usually a sign of my mental health rather than anything else - and so hence my reflections. You and James bring a more 'process orientated' reflection about slow progress...
Delete