How I overcame a lifelong habit of rushing

How I overcame a lifelong habit of rushing

Girl running

I do tend to like this idea of slow living.

One of the things you need to train yourself out of as a photographer is the modern day disease called ‘Rushing”. You may be able to pin point how this condition took over your mind and body or otherwise you may need to simply develop new habits that slow you down.

I often find I am in a rush. I have this anxious feeling of rushing through all my daily tasks, to bring them to completion asap.
This anxious, rushing, feeling, I can trace back to my childhood. You see from the age of seven, I have had to deal with migraine headaches. Very debilitating and painful.

From somewhere around my teenage years, I felt I had to rush to get everything completed in case I got sick with a migraine and had to spend hours in bed with a massive headache. This became a very deeply entrenched habit. More especially in the years I was raising children, you see everything had to be perfect and in order in case anything went wrong.
But as I got older, I have had to retrain my brain and remind myself, why the panic? Tomorrow is another day with a new beginning and a little mess is not going to hurt. If I need to rest then I must rest!

SLOW DOWN, and focus on the fact that this is only temporary, soon the events that I am drowning in at the present moment will not last.

A wonderful side note, as I grew older those terrible migraines lost alot of their severity. I no longer vomit for hours and the headache is quite mild. You see, life can change!

Just how do you slow down?

*Gather less stuff. We take nothing into this world and we take nothing out when we leave. I have found it liberating moving into a smaller home and making myself throw out things I am fairly sure I will not use again

*Read the bible and pray. Dwelling on the good things the bible has to say is very relaxing and calming. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

*Begin the day with peaceful, positive thoughts. Your self talk will set you in the right direction if it is life giving and positive.

*Retrain your mind to stop and enjoy. This process took me awhile to achieve, but some grim determination and a healthy stance against fear has helped.

*Be grateful and make an effort to thank God for all the good things in life.

*Find an interest or hobby that you love and enjoy. When I am out photographing, I find my mind and body are totally unaware of worries and lifes distractions. I am fully involved and absolutely loving what I am doing. The peace and fulfilment after the day is over keeps my mind thoughful and certainly has the effect of slowing me down.

 

 Photography has slowed my mental state down as it involves seeking out and being in the presence of beautiful things.

Below are some images that have brought peace to my heart and soul.

 

 

Yacht in a beautiful golden sunset
Yacht sails in a beautiful blue ocean
Fishing boat in the distance
Yacht sails around Cape Spencer Yorke Peninsula
A fishing boat moored at Pondalowie Bay
Beautiful pink evening and a yacht moored in the bay
Why we built a beach house by the sea, part 2.

Why we built a beach house by the sea, part 2.

Progress has been slow over the winter. Heaps of rain so the water tanks are over flowing. However we have been able to work on the inside as most of the outside is finished.

I have made a tiny garden of local plants. All the same type of grasses for a unified, coherent kind of effect. The ground is very sandy and it is certainly best to choose local plants as not much grows in this area.

We still have plenty to do, but at least we can sleep in the beach house and not in a caravan any longer.

I chose wood for the walls due to its warm feel and the natural vibe it adds to any home.

I’ve made a path out the front from some old left over slate and put white rocks along the front. These limestone rocks are everywhere here. I don’t think I’ve seen one beach shack without these limestone rocks.

It is such a lovely place so peaceful and relaxing. Nature at its finest.

 

Emus walking past the beach house
Sun hats hang up at the holiday house
Bathroom
bedroom in holiday home
Light shade and wooden walls
Shells collected and put on a shelf
Empty room with wooden walls

Growth of plants is slow and keeping bugs away is a constant chore. We are trying to be as natural as possible but some of the insects are so resistent I have resorted to getting the spray can out and try slaughtering them this way. White vinegar was just not working. Soon we will put in more furniture and some homely touches.

Living here is very peaceful as most of the holiday homes are vacant year round. They soon fill up around Christmas and Easter, dogs, kids, bikes, music, but hey, when it’s only for around 10 days I  will put up with anything!