Do you know this feeling? It comes out of the blue. Nothing dramatically has happened (thank God). Maybe it is just this feeling that nothing happens.
Feeling stuck. Rien ne va plus.
Everyone and everything seems to squat on its old place without moving a jota. The radio plays the same old songs. I’m captivated by a time warp, cotton between me and the world outside. Listlessly I drink a tea. While English people say “Just wait and see!” Germans advise “Wait and drink tea!” So I do. Sip another cup of Lady Grey and stare into the fine drizzle outside.
Of course I know what ‘happened’. Yin and Yang. What goes up must come down. And vice versa.
So I tell myself to take a rest, allow myself to do nothing. (I’m not good at that). Usually I start a new project before I finish another. This time I don’t know which of my new projects is really worth that my heart glows for it. I feel distracted. A bit subdued.
Which of course is utterly unfair: one glimpse into my Gratitude Journal would show me that.
Stubbornly I refuse to have a look.
Maybe I just want to sit here doing nothing? For a day at least: not doing anything but let it happen, as the New Agers say? Charge the batteries, as an engineer would say? I can relax: Life will move on in its own wonderful way.
So I’ll just have a walk without an aim (but an umbrella). Or take a pencil and draw instead of taking quick pictures with my camera.
I’ll be looking carefully, be silent (as good as I can, with that monkeymind), try to forget the ‘World of the Tenthousand Things’, just comfort the body - then mind and soul will follow.
As Scarlett O’Hara put it so nicely:
"After all, tomorrow is another day."
12 comments:
Hello Britta:
Time to simply 'be' is one the one hand such a luxury in this ever busy world and, yet, on the other hand is an essential ingredient for one's well being, in our view.
So, if you have the opportunity today, just let the day float past n a haze of Lady Grey and daydreams.......tomorrow's excitements are waiting in the wings!!!
Dear Britta,
I like the proverbs, sayings, phrases and quotes you used in this well crafted post. And I think when 'patience' comes into the picture, Germans' view point is more correct, because Germans wait just like British, but they enjoy the wait by drinking tea. :):)
Britta, I totally get that feeling of nothing happening. I've had it for the past two weeks, despite being pulled in many directions, nothing was happening, nothing was moving forward.
And then...
BAM!
Everything is ready to move forwards, all at once!
Enjoy the moment, because chaos is just around the corner!!!
I know this feeling. It arrives without warning and I have learned to go with it, put one foot in front of the other, right foot, left foot, keep it simple...and before I know it .....it's gone!!
Hope your malaise lifts for the weekend Britta x
Britta, this post was brilliant and I savored every word.
'This time I don’t know which of my new projects is really worth that my heart glows for it.'
I really felt this.
You've voiced beautifully this state, that I think we all pass through (and sometimes only very slowly). You've chosen one of the antidotes I've found most helpful, too: "a walk without an aim." The other I really love is settling to a book--with a cup of tea, of course. May your walk without aim be restorative.
Ah Britta, this is a condition that I have come to know only too well. It will pass, of course - you know that, you've been here before. I think the best thing to do is, as you've suggested, 'ride with it'.....or as people up here in wild surfing country would say 'just stay with the wave'. You'll come through into the sunlight - the creative challenge will be there waiting for you and it will seem exciting once again.
Because, of course, it is.
Hi
I think you are completely OK. I sometimes feel the same way as you feel. In such a case, I usually have a walk! I suspect that being busy does not always mean real work. I would think that being idle is sometimes very good for everyone. Hugs!
Yes, we all get stuck sometimes. Looks like you have a good atitude with it, drink tea! I like Scarlet's quote. To add to the one above, "Fiddle dee dee, I will think about it tomorrow."
I know exactly how you feel dear Britta as I too am in that same state...but this too will pass and we will both get our verve and zest for life back!
Keep drinking the tea :)
Oh - I love this post. As hard as this time is for you, I've been there so many times, all I can say is that for me, it's always the death of the seed, the dark place, before something new sprouts. As an artist, you know this. We need our moments of solitude to create. This whole post was worded so wistfully, so beautifully. It's like I'm yearning to enjoy a moment of quiet with you, because it's so poised and perching, and ready to spring! Can't wait to see what unfolds.
I thank you all so very much - such a surprise to see so many consolatory, comforting and supporting words here! Thank you!!!
Post a Comment