1.
Music and Drama
I can enjoy music much more, now that I no longer
teach it. I love classical music; 'Pictures at an Exhibition', Holst's 'The
Planets'; pop music favourites are Kate Bush, David Bowie and the Beatles. I
also love jazz and film music. Another great escape is drama. I love radio
dramas, TV dramas, films, novels, even people watching when I'm out and about
in London. I don't like drama in my own life, but often find it difficult to
avoid. I think now I'm over fifty and have discovered Buddhism I want to simply
be rather than rush around doing so much and keeping busy for not much reason.
Music and drama help me to enjoy this newer way to life.
2.
Reading and Writing
In 2018 I read over thirty third wave therapy and
Buddhist psychology books. I reviewed 26 of them and they made it into the
'A book a fortnight' bibliography for my 'Everyday is a Mindful Act' project.
In 2019 I wanted to escape into fiction reading once more and chose six Mood
Boosting books for the task, I have also been reading more poetry. It has been
lovely to get back to these lovely literary escapes. While working out
therapy for myself I also discovered that blogging has been a
positive thing for my wellbeing and I should continue to do it. Sylvia Plath
once described writing poetry as 'her deepest health' I know what she means.
Being creative is important to human beings. I intend to carry on blogging and
with other forms of writing as well.
3.
Walking and Water
One of the things I have been enjoying and
appreciating for the past ten years or so is walking by the River Thames. I
have walked the length of the Thames Path from The Thames Barrier to Hampton
Court. My favourite bit is The Royal Festival Hall at Hungerford Bridge to
Southwark Cathedral at London Bridge. Walking by water, whether it's a canal, a
lake, the sea or a river, can be very therapeutic. I often dream of living
nearer the sea, maybe, one day, this dream will come true.
4.
Art and Crafts
I have enjoyed taking photos and making pictures
for my blog over the years and I now enjoy mindful doodling and colouring. As
part of my art therapy endeavours I have made a point of visiting more art
galleries and now I am practising Slow Art, concentrating on a work of art for
at least 5 minutes. Art is great and I find it one of the things that gives my
life greater meaning. Like art, craft is also important as a source of
creativity and meaning in life. I have attempted many paper and fabric crafts
over the years and sell them in my craft stall 'ALF Creations @ the Star Heart
Cafe'. I find knitting to be the most therapeutic craft and these days
particularly enjoying knitting snuggle muffs for mental health patients. A
recent advance I have enjoyed is the idea of a 'Crafternoon' with my daughter,
who works on her card game, while I often drink tea, doodle and knit.
5.
Mindfulness and Meditation
I started practising mindfulness in March 2018. I
did the body scan with my daughter and started doing the breathing to connect
exercise from The Happiness Trap. Sometimes, often, it feels like I'm in the
middle of an ocean, in a rowing boat, with no oars. Sometimes it's good to
meditate on this feeling and then to appreciate the smaller things in life,
which you can do with mindfulness. I appreciate a cup of tea, cuddling a
teddy, mindful doodling and colouring, listening to music, reading a book,
contemplating water, clouds, trees, flowers, art. I think it is good to give
yourself some time everyday to just be; with your breath and your body. I often
do mindful meditation in the morning, at work, in the evenings, it helps me
through my day.
