Life
I’ve been thinking recently about A Day in the Life -do you know those photojournalism books from the mid-1990’s? I loved them. I loved the idea of lots of humans in lots of places recording lots of days and the possibilities they hold: the largest and smallest pieces, the mundane and amazing, and all the sorrow and sweetness in between. So many journeys.
On any given day, what would your Day in the Life page look like?
photo: t.Sweeny
The photo here shows a day in the life of a very dear friend holding her first grandchild for the first time. The photo says so much about the day: early autumn outside lovely windows; my friend’s hair held back, sleeves pushed up, and burp cloth over her shoulder representing the work at hand of a newborn baby. The nestled posture of the infant, the pink skin, and all that hair (I can almost feel the corn silk of it) represents fresh innocence, trust, and comfort- though the baby is unaware of any of this. To me, everything about this photo represents love and contentment, and a kind of bliss.
I’ve been challenged this year by lack of blissful days. How about you? Though I’ve been better off than so many people, at times life has seemed excruciatingly bliss-less, with the entire calendar holding the same mundane routine of “must-do’s-to-get-through.” A simple phrase has helped me, a phrase that years ago popped into my mind (though I can’t guarantee if it’s original): Enjoy Life At It’s Imperfection. In a year like 2020, not even my attempt at following this motto has been perfect. But it’s a place to start.
An imperfection I’ve sought a work-around this year has been the inability to travel. Prior to March, my career took me to different continents at least once a week. Now, I seldom leave the fenced garden around the home where I live. But I’ve found imperfect ways to feed my wanderlust, enjoying virtual travel on websites such as window-swap.com looking out windows and onto views of “neighbors” around the world. Earthcam is another world voyeur site that offers comfort while pretending I’m anywhere but my own reality for a few moments. I spent a morning last spring overlooking a dock in Venice, Italy- remembering what it felt like to stand on that actual dock a few years ago… It was the finest non-scientific space/time travel experience imaginable right then.
What I am seeking in life, what we all are after I believe, is to live each day as best I can, “despite it all.” That’s a rudimentary explanation for this part of reusethematerialgirl, but it’s what works. I find fulfillment creating a style of life that rewards my heart, mind and soul, and nurtures worthwhile experiences, spaces, and relationships. I’d like to share about it with you in this space. I hope you will feel welcome to share right back. Here’s a little look into some of what I’m planning:
Feast on Sustainable Living
Live and look amazing without Amazon
More-with-Less meals
Simple guidelines from 1001 Ways to Save the Planet
Secondhand Luxuries
Repurposing and Upcycling projects
etc!
I’ll be rotating posts between this and the other two blogs on the site, Humanity and Home. If you’d like to read more from any of them, please sign up for the email list. I’ll also post and link on Instagram, if you’d like to follow me there. Links for all are on the home page. I’m looking forward to learning, experiencing and adding beautiful pages to our days in the life.
