On Getting Out...

& finding focus

One afternoon in high school I was struggling to focus. I had a pile of homework and ACT prep and yet I just couldn’t do it. I called my best friend in a moment of procrastination. I told her I was stressed by my lack of concentration & motivation. Her response?

Stop pushing. Go for a bike ride, leave it alone, and do it when you feel like it.

The advice felt counterproductive, but I followed it. I grabbed my ipod (miss them) and hopped on my bike. Amazingly, after an hour I felt revived. I went home and buzzed through my list.

I still follow this advice. If I am feeling overwhelmed or dizzy from chasing my tail, I stop. I do something else (often involving movement), and when I feel ready to tackle the task at hand I do it. Then, it just flows.

The past few weeks I have been frazzled. Attempting to manage Lycette, plus social media, plus website updates (hello finishing page), plus day to day, plus designing, plus, plus, plus. All the “plus’s” had finally caught up to me. I found myself staring at blank canvas and an ever growing inbox. So, I reached out to a friend & mentor and scheduled a day to forget it all.

I first went to the orchid festival a year and a half ago. I was enchanted by the colors and species of the exotic blooms that exceeded The Fresh Market selection. This year there were more exhibitors than ever, but there was also a higher heat index. Dawn & I explored until the heavy heat prevented us from doing more. Even though I wasn’t able to visit every tent I still left invigorated. The next day I went to my office and painted a canvas that earlier in the week I had been completely stuck on. Sometimes, in order to do the task at hand, you have to not do the task at hand.

Here’s to stepping away, flowing through tasks, and orchids. Always orchids.

xo,

Mrs. N

Redlands Orchid Festival