Life

Blocked

AKA – August break XXIII

I’ve got photographers-block. It’s like writers-block but, you know, with photos instead of words (although I think I’ve got that as well).

I’m not sure if I’m in this photo funk because I’m feeling a bit useless and unenergized right now or vice-versa. The very thought of sorting out cameras, memory-cards, batteries, film and actually having to use my arms to lift a camera to my face and work out exposures and press that shutter seems like too gargantuan a task. Impossible. So I haven’t bothered. OK, I’m exaggerating a little; I have taken the odd snap, but my mojo is definitely elsewhere right now. I hope it’s having a good time without me!

And so, here we are again at Monday. A new week, a new start, blah di blah. <– see – don’t even have energy to construct a sentence.

I am writing this to give myself a metaphorical (although I think it needs to be more physical) kick up the bum. A kick is exactly what’s called for as I know exactly why I’m in this negative place – they’re reasons that don’t sound like they have much to do with the problem in hand directly but I am beginning to realise are inexorably linked and hold the key to… everything really.

1. Time (too little of it). This is actually a pointless thing to ‘blame’ and shouldn’t be on the list. Time is abstract – it’s what we do in that time is what’s important. I waste a lot of it and I need to be much better organised – I’m going to try picturing my life in 30 minute blocks and see if any blocks can be shuffled, reduced or eliminated. (Eliminated sounds good).

2. Body (too much of it). I am very much aware that I am what I eat and at the moment I am probably about 3/5 sugar, 2/5 fat and 1/5 preservatives, salt plus anything else that’s bad for you that they put into food. I have two modes when it comes to eating – very, very bad and very, very good – and as it’s a LOT easier to eat badly than to eat well, that’s the side that’s winning. So, today I’m ‘back on the wagon’ and I am going to try and put the horror of PE lessons at school behind me and do more exercise – whilst there’s still some light after work to utilise. Yeah, we’ll see about that one.

3. Self-belief (too little of it). That last comment of mine should tell you all you need to know about my self-belief right now! I guess it’s a chicken-and-egg thing though, so hopefully once I start the ball (egg) rolling things will fall into place and I can start believing again.

4. Stuff (too much of it). Yes, this old chestnut! Please, please don’t look back over all the times I’ve said this on this blog. I am still drowning if pointless and unnecessary possessions. It’s taking at least half an hour to find anything now and housework simply involves rearranging piles of stuff and transporting them to different rooms. I’m going to get rid of at least one thing every day – that’s a start, at least!

Thanks for reading this far! It feels good to have written it down – makes it all seem doable and really rather trivial when you consider the problems that so many people in the world are going through right now.

On that note let me mention one of my favourite and most purchased from shops on Etsy; DutchDoor Press. They create the most beautiful letterpress cards and prints and are donating 100% of all todays (23rd August’s) proceeds to UNICEFs relief project in Pakistan.

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Tor
    24 August 2010 at 08:48

    Oh Angie, Angie, Angie… I’m hearing ya loud and clear. Too little time, too little self belief and too much stuff – I’m in that place too! I can only hope the block is temporary.

  • Reply
    Girl with a Camera
    25 August 2010 at 00:24

    Since you mentioned it, and since there was a time, long ago, when too much stuff was a very LARGE issue for me, I’m going to recommend a website. Have you ever heard of Flylady.net?? If so, good! If not, you might cruise over there and take a look. She is wonderful at helping you figure out where to begin and how to get through the STUFF and start living in a little more peace. I’m not cured (only the slightest bit better!) but even the little bit of headway I’ve made has improved our entire family’s ability to function!
    All of that aside, I totally understand where you are coming from. We started back to school here last week and I feel that I am literally drowning in all the things that must be finished NOW!!! (so why am I looking at blogs?? Oh ya, can’t sleep well at nights…)
    Best of luck! I hope you find your mojo soon! :)
    Tiffany

  • Reply
    leonie wise
    25 August 2010 at 12:50

    LOVE dutch door press. sadly no buying anything for me right now. we are Clearing Out. in a big way… moving out of this flat early november. i promise not to give you anything that you’ll then need to dispose of!
    looking forward to seeing you next week and introducing our sweet cameras to each other. we can compare tips and lenses!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    27 August 2010 at 01:03

    If you figure out some sort of magical time management thing, PLEASE let me know. A major problem for me all the time!!!

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