Well today I went upstairs to try to sort out my new sewing area, it needs a lot of re-organisation and shelves and boxes etc etc, is there a point to this, oh yes!
I was sorting through my patterns and trying to find one of the boxes that contained a lot of patterns when my eyes landed on an article I'd ripped from a magazine - my own I hasten to add! It was about idleness.
Here's a picture of a Vargas girl, idling and also wearing some drop dead gorgeous shoes!
Now, dear reader, idleness is something I appear to have lost the ability to do as I get older. I don't know if it's because I run my own business and so I think I have to be busy all the time, it might be as my lack of ability to relax does seem to have coincided with the onset of the recession!
However I ripped this article out for a reason, when I read it I thought, the man is right, we should all be idle at times. It was written by Tom Hodgkinson and you can read it online here.
I know my creative process and imaginative ideas grind to a halt if I don't relax, and I so rarely relax, if I'm honest the only time I relax is when I've had a couple of drinks, not good huh?
So this weekend I have tried to be idle at times, I haven't succeeded fully, how ironic that I am writing a blog post about being idle ha ha ha! So even when I think about being idle I do things, however I have succeeded to a degree this weekend.
I bought a couple of magazines to read, something I never do, I'm really not keen on women's magazines they're full of gossip, celebrities and general rubbish in my opinion, but I bought Vanity Fair, always good articles, and Psychologies as I'm always interested in reading about psychology. I sat down this morning, turned all music and external noise off that was within my power and read. It felt good.
Why am I writing about this to you all? Well I suspect I'm not the only one who never finds time to just be, and so I thought this article might prompt you to take some time out. I particularly like his idea of having a special day to do nothing but stay home, eat chocolate and drink wine!! I don't have any chocolate in the house, but I am home and I do have wine, I may idle the rest of Sunday away!
13 comments:
I'm the very opposite, I am deperately, chronically idle, to the point of being a slattern. I am currently eating a doughnut, drinking tea and looking at all the jobs I am supposed to have done today. Ugh.
I am a sucker for trying to make the most of my time. My time out tends to be blogging or reading others. But even then I am listening to something history orientated on the Tv or muttering at Louis Walsh (which usually involves the word "pasty" )
When Im writting letters im listening to new music, when Im cooking Im catching up with podcasts and when im stitching or sewing im listening to a audiobook. I can't just sit and do one thing - I feel like i'm not making the most of my day if I just sit and veg. *sigh*
I am never idle! I think thats being self employed for you - but I never sit around without 'multitasking' (ie; piecing jewellery while watching TV!). I just can't do it. Still, I love what I do so that helps, and I am never, ever ever bored! :)
Hehe, I'm totally with Lisa - and I love the word slattern!
Idle...? What's that? lol... I used to have free time... I think I did. Self-employed entrepreneur means, you have to put in a lot of hours to be successful, at first.
But times I DO think of just sitting and relaxing. I often go sit in my living room which looks out on my backyard, and take 10 minutes to just... Be quiet.
I suppose my idea, is that once the house looks the way I want it, my reward will be to relax, and be idle.
We shall see!
I love the word Slattern Lisa, best use of a word ever!!
Well ladies who are never idle I tried it yesterday and HIGHLY recommend it I woke up this morning, full of beans and ready to take the day on!
This is a great post! This past weekend was total chill. I needed it for sure! I also got to do yoga and make a pot holder using vintage-inspired fabric.
What I really need is a vacation (I have not had one in three years) but I have no time due to work. So for now, I will take every chance to take time out!
Hmmm, I know many people that can't sit still, no matter what they do. I am not one of those folks, personally, but I have been there. Hello to you and the mister.
Lady Betty I'm with you, I haven't had a vacation for 3 years and desperately in need but finances are stopping me :o(
Hello Darlene!
I am with Lisa, I am bone idle hehe! I am very happy to just sit and read, or listen to music or snuggle in bed with chocs and a movie. I have to write a to-do list to get things done, and sometimes even that doesn't get completed! Lazy, lazy me :(
While I was doing a little research on my George Petty pin-up calendar today I learned that Esquire asked Alberto Vargas to rename his girls VARGA Girls. I don't know why, maybe to sound less Hispanic? As for sitting around doing nothing--LOVE IT, but don't do it much even though I'm retired. Guess you don't appreciate the time off from work when you're "off" 24/7!
I say I'm idle... but then always find something to do... normally tidying or dusting, even if it doesn't need dusting I'll dust it! Hope you had a wonderfully idle day
G x
I'm with Lisa, too! I generally really love not doing a whole lot of anything. My sister is the complete opposite. Of course, I do feel guilty most of the time and I think my lack of motivation to do things is part enjoyment of idleness and part due to depression. That's when I feel guilty for being idle.
But! I'm very glad you took the time out to be idle and it made you feel a bit rejuvenated. =D
PS Sorry for the tangent. And I also love the word 'slattern'.
-Andi x
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