Given that I am now on a no spend challenge, I decided against the castor oil, because I was certain I'd have broken the rules of my challenge, only a week in. My favourite charity bookshop is a couple of shops down. Not good.
Instead, I left the house without my wallet and took my new camera with the intent of taking some photos. Turns out I'm nervous about taking photos when there are lots of people around! And people there were:
At the first hint of sunshine, and a bearable temperature, people flock to the park. I love the little tea hut in the middle, and one day I will park myself at one of the tables with a cuppa.
The tree I sat under. I can't wait for the leaves to appear.
I love the look of the dark spindly branches against the bright blue sky.I sat in the park for a while, pondering and enjoying the warmth of the sun. I found peace sitting with fewer than 10 objects around me;
Camera, handbag, pen, journal, the Artist's way, a tote bag, my phone, a water bottle, and a clipboard to write on.
At home, I tend to feel overwhelmed with the mess and the clutter, and my focus completely disappears. Yet, I don't often see the connection, and I get stuck on the sofa not knowing where to start or how to get motivated. Knowing now that being surrounded by stuff is draining my motivation, the spending urge has well and truly been quashed.
Tip of the day: leave the house without your wallet.
What are you up to this weekend? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
It's great that you were able to get out today and to put your reward to good use. I don't think my own camera would've captured each individual branch so clearly, especially on that first photo. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've found that, with practice, I've become less anxious about taking photos in public. On a nice day, there are always others doing the same. It's sometimes difficult when people accidentally get in your line of shot but I can do it on my own or, with a small group of people. I find it harder with the walking group because I fear I'd be adding weight to a long line of ramblers.
As you might have seen, I experimented with video footage yesterday afternoon! That was quite intense and I'll admit that I spent most of my time walking with camera around chest level, so as not to look too conspicuous. I was half expecting someone to recognise me (blog, YouTube, magazine, Twitter...) but no-one seemed to draw attention towards me. One or two even apologised for getting in my way (you can hear that, if you listen closely).
After a short while, I realised that I COULD do this and became, well, 'less uncomfortable'. :-)
I've since driven myself crazy by repeatedly checking YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for views, likes and retweets (so far, lower than I'd hoped for) but, as I'm sure you know, I'm also experimenting with Keek, as a way of building my confidence in talking to others and sharing. I'm trying not to make too much of a judgement right now as it's too easy for me to be overly critical of myself but, I'm hoping that will change in time.
Tomorrow, I'm planning to do a walk on my own (there aren't really any group walks on). My book has a five-mile walk around Priddy that I'd like in to extend to a trip down to Ebbor Gorge (I got lost last time I was there) and perhaps around a neighbouring woodland on the way back up (or down)... My other friends are either sick or busy, unfortunately.
I can never leave home without my wallet though! I can resist urges to spend when I know I need to but, I like to have it with my 'in case'... In case I get lost or my van breaks down and I need to find another way home. For emergencies. In the same way that I always carry my phone.
I still have another two days off work after tomorrow and I'm thinking about just heading somewhere locally, high on a hill, and sitting for a while to try and contemplate some things... Crook Peak is my preference right now. I passed it heading down the M5 yesterday and it was a favourite walk from last year.
In Denmark we have a tradition about bringing lunch to work, and I can take free-coffee/the at work, - so I offen don't bring my wallet to work. This idea has safed me a lot of money, Ex. I can't by a magasin on the way home, can't stop for suddenly an idea that I "need" a chocolate-bar ;-) ..ect.
ReplyDeleteTo day I am going in the garden for the first time since the Long winter. And later we all 5 are going for a familybirthday in Copenhagen. - Quite and nice.
Have a great sunday!
I think it's really easy to talk ourselves into spending "because it would be good for me to buy x" and we allow ourselves to be convinced that we need it now just because it's in our thoughts at that moment and we let a small good idea become a bigger priority than it really is, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI always feel a bit odd taking photos about the place too. Which is weird as I live in a tourist place so there are people taking photos all the time! The last two occasions where I just did it (not in my own town) one man laughed and a group of security guards followed me around. Got some good snaps though.
Hey Olly, thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the new camera, it can do so much that I never thought possible.
It's good to hear it gets easier with practise. I'm just so self-conscious, especially if I want to take a close up of a plant or something, kneeling down, etc. hehe.
Yes, I saw your video footage and was impressed that you could do that for a whole 5 minutes! brilliant. That's also a great challenge to realise that we can do these things, if we put the fear aside for a moment. I've seen your little keek snippets and you're doing great. I'm terrified of vlogging.
I find it hard to leave the house for longer trips without my wallet, but yesterday I had to, otherwise I would have gone into a shop and broken the rules of my challenge. I always carry it if I'm driving somewhere, or travelling further than a few minutes walking distance. It's good practise for me to eliminate the option of spending completely and be comfortable with that.
Your plans tomorrow sound good. I hope you find some quiet time to ponder. I love doing that. In the mean time, enjoy your Sunday evening!
I also take lunch to work most days, occasionally I treat myself to lunch out with a friend. It saves A LOT of money each week making your own lunch!! I agree that leaving the wallet at home removes the temptation for those small things that don't cost much individually, but all add up!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a garden. It would be so nice to sit outside, and dry washing too! Sounds like a perfect weekend! enjoy!
Hey, thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteThat does make sense! Thanks for the insight. I think it's a good idea to put anything we "want" on a list and delay the decision for at least 24 hours, if not a week or more, to really evaluate whether we need it. I skipped the trip yesterday because I didn't feel confident that I could just buy castor oil and would end up with a whole bag of stuff coming home with me!
So silly that the security guards followed you around! I feel really self-conscious, more so now because my camera is rather bigger than a compact digital. Well done for persevering with the photo taking. I think I'd run away!
Hello Linda! It's been ages since I've stopped by and I've really enjoyed catching up with your posts. I hope you are enjoying your new camera. I used to feel self conscious taking photos but after a while I stopped caring and I don't think anyone even notices my camera. I can't be without it and am more likely to take it anywhere than my wallet!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of your spending-free day. I never carry my purse when I walk to or from school with the kids - it makes it easier to say no when they pester me for sweets or ice cream from the shop!
Gillian x
Hi Gillian! Lovely to see you here.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying my new camera, lots! it's so much more fun to take pictures now. I think I will continue practising taking photos outside hehe, hopefully I will get used to it!
That's a brilliant idea, leaving the wallet at home on school runs! I remember asking my mum everyday for sweets, but she only ever said yes on Thursdays, so I learned eventually! :)
I used to have those kind of fears but I'm not as afraid as I used to be. I also used to have a fear of taking photos around people, especially kids - I've heard of people being accused of all sorts!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. It was initially closer to 8 minutes but, I had to cut bits out where I was pointing at my feet or making a huge sigh at the end of each scene - I've learned and have noticed a lot about the way I act through filming myself. I need to remember to breathe while I talk but, that goes for most situation! :-P
I would encourage you to try Keek sometime. It's only 36 seconds and I'm sure you'd have more to say than 'I'm bored', which is what the majority of Keeks seem to be on there! Mostly teenagers, too. I find it more easily accessible than Twitter, once you find a 'group' that you can engage with.
If you're going somewhere where you have to make a donation (for example), do you carry your wallet with you or only the cash you really need? ...Don't women have purses and not wallets?! ;-)
My Sunday was good and I've been busy today, thank you. I haven't yet found my space for quite time but we'll see what the weather brings (or doesn't) in the morning.
I guess it just takes practise. My camera has only been outside the house once so far.
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant Olly. I loathe the sound of my own voice, I physically shrink when I have to listen to myself speak, so vlogging might not come into things just yet!
I pretty much always carry my purse/wallet (I get confused because of Americanisms - a purse is a handbag in US) when I go further than the park. I don't really leave the house without it, but could be a good challenge to avoid spending on unnecessary things.
Sorry for the delay in replying, hope you enjoyed your time off! :)