practice

That’s the beginning and the end. I’m empty of projects right now, goals seem to do more harm than good. I’m retreating to simple, healing practice, and perhaps something will grow from that.

I so want to nail down my practice habits, but the harder I try the further they slip away :-)

The bodywork practice is going well and my shape is changing. I’m writing in my journal every day. I’m exploring improvisation at the moment and enjoying tinkling random melodies on the piano. Creativity is here with me right now, but generating is only part of the process.

Perhaps practice is a form of improvisation too? So I can generate a melody, let’s say, but I can also generate a way of doing what I know and stretching it a little bit further in some useful way…? Like adding a new chord to the mix?

Realised last night I was anxious and cast around for the reason – and I was anxious because I was running out of things to be anxious about. Yes! It took a couple of hours after that little realisation to begin to relax, but relax I did.

• The bodywork is in hand – as long as I keep doing my weekly habits.
• The writing is in hand – as long as I keep writing every day and I keep a playful attitude.
• The house is in hand – I can’t fo anything about it now, and I’ve done all the thinking in advance I can do.
• The software work is as it is – this won’t change and I accept that for today.
• Study – I’ve changed this from studying literature/film to studying Maths/Science – this is a big deal for me, and very exciting. Imagining reading and writing essays AND writing was getting my down. Studying something beautiful, unrelated and using a different part of my brain – now that gets me going!

So, I want this thing to stay to help me make sure I’m balanced in fitting them all into my week. But I’m mostly there because I know what I want.

After an extended break, I return to my real life with a fresh perspective and some new ideas.

Bodywork – I’m going to concentrate on my fitness and strength, and eat more healthily.

Writing – the voices will become characters will become scenes will become plots will become stories will become a novel – relax and begin.

Literature and film – the BA(Hons) Literature with the OU allows me to survey novels and poetry, but as the free choice course I want to choose Film History to supplement my story knowledge – screenplays and film-making are always at the back of my mind.

House – we are moving, and soon, so I want to get the rooms right for our first few years before the big project to renovate and extend it :-)

Software – when I am in work I will be in work – when I am not I will not! – so no thinking about software or technology outside of work hours, including surfing tech news sites, learning new languages, etc.

Exciting times. I can’t wait to work on these things over the next six months. I’ll review it all at Xmas, but for now I’m going to write in my journal and find some inspiring role models…

I want to practice being my artistic selves every day. Add that to the list!

I will write/noodle for 30 minutes minimum every day

I will run twice a week, do weights twice a week, and swim once a week with my son.

I will get up a little earlier each morning and stretch.

I will run twice a week, do weights twice a week, and swim once a week with my son.

I will get up a little earlier each morning and stretch.

I will get up a little earlier each morning and stretch.