You may have noticed that, over the last few months, my blogging has tailed off somewhat. I’ve been trying to find the time to write, and time to plan what I want to write, but it never seems to come together. I used to have lists of ideas for blog posts in the notebook that lives in my handbag, but I don’t think I’ve written one yet this year. I keep hoping that one day, I’ll find more time… one day, I’ll find inspiration… one day, it’ll all just come together. The problem is that, so far, this hasn’t happened.
It’s not just my blogging that has suffered this sad fate in recent months. I had lots of exciting ideas for what to do with my existing research and new avenues to explore, but have not yet found time to flesh any of it out. There’s the exhibitions I want to visit and the friends I’d like to catch up with. And then, of course, there’s the general life admin – all the things I’ve been meaning to do for ages and haven’t quite got around to it, like registering with a dentist, clearing out the spare room and taking nice things I don’t wear to a clothing exchange. My brain doesn’t seem to be able to focus on any of it right now. It’s like the little organisation fairy who I’m pretty sure resides in my brain has decided to only work during office hours.
What do you do when you have been deserted by your muse? Panic, or enjoy the time off and wait for normal service to resume in its own time? When I considered this problem I felt that a day to myself, with no plans other than relaxation, might be what’s needed to recharge my mental batteries. I am now planning an offline day where I roam London looking for inspiration, snapping photos and jotting things in a notebook. I already have a research notebook and a cute little one that would be great for blogging ideas, so now I just need to think of somewhere to go to. What are your favourite places in London, to sit in or wander round and be inspired?
Cash converters in Woolwich is well known spot for contemplating what the hell went wrong, however I always enjoy sitting on the grass on the hill just by the Royal Greenwich observatory with a panoramic view of London
I know that feeling lovely Lori. I want to press pause on the world for a week or two, and spend most of it doing life admin and clearing all my emails, and maybe enjoy a couple of days doing nothing but being. I would recommend Hampstead Heath – the view from Kite Hill / Parliament Hill is beautiful and gives me perspective when I need it. It is also a proper wild heath with bathing ponds, wild ponds, woodland, hills, everything. Similarly, the Royal Observatory Greenwich which has similarly beautiful views and the escape of space and science.
Hope you find an anchor soon! xx
along the canals in Lea Valley/Hackney Marshes, or canal tucked under Camden. I love the feeling of being sort of ‘sideways’ to the Madding crowd and the slow flow of water compared to the fast flow of human.
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Well Kew Gardens is good and can get you in for free but I only really came to day “Into the garbage shoot flyboy.”
There are so many parks and waterways in London. I love the Morden Hall Park/Ravensbury Park section of the Wandle. I like Sydenham Hill Woods, that feels a bit like being underground. Richmond Park is enormous but plenty f quiet spots away from the traffic eg round the ponds
Thanks so much for all your great suggestions! 🙂
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You could try a section or two of the London LOOP. I bumbled along some of it the other night and found real rabbits! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Outer_Orbital_Path
I love canary wharf at the weekends when its an empty maze of streets, court yards and fountains
I’ve always been fond of Holland Park…not only are the homes surrounding the area beyond beautiful but the park itself is divided into sections….Japanese garden, rose garden….I used to love going there with a journal and just hang out for hours wandering around and contemplating life and the last x (however long it had been since I took a day for reflection)
canals and river up by walthamstow / hackney marshes