Often times I have so many thoughts and ideas in my head that I actually become paralyzed. And this is true of writing. I'm the kind of person who has difficulty making decisions when offered too many choices...I'm a true Libra. Other times when I sit at the computer and start typing about things I am passionate about the story seems to fall apart before my eyes. As much as I cut and paste and rewrite, I just can't seem to get it to flow. And as we all know, I'm already "bad" at rambling. I have flaws, true...but I also have things I want to say and words I need to type and stories that may be of no interest to anyone else but still must be written. I need a process to be sure.
One thing I found out recently is that when I allow for other forms of creativity, it sparks a deeper desire or connection in all areas of my life. We have been staying with my mom in Alabama for the past month. We wanted to take this opportunity to not only spent time with her but to do some remodeling in the RV. Out of necessity I started to learn to sew (with a lot of my mom's help).
Learning to sew.
Somehow, in the course of sewing curtains, making "new" reusable grocery bags and drastically changing the interior of our RV I got inspired to cook, write and take more photos. After months of falsely thinking I was getting my creative inspiration from pictures posted on Pinterest rather than touching, feeling, tasting and smelling life I realized I needed to actually do things rather than just pin things. As much as I thought I would be moved into action by other people's posts I found I was letting my creative spark die out. It was also adding to the clutter in my mind, something I could use less of in the first place.
Fortunately, I recognized that I was wishing for inspiration rather than actually finding inspiration. For me, the doing is the key to continued creativity which, it seems, can come in many forms. It's a lot like working out and eating healthy...whichever one you start first, the other usually will follow and they will continue to 'feed' off of each other (in a good way). Along the way I gained a different perspective regarding Pinterest...rather than using it as a "If I Were Rich (or skilled or talented or knew how to knit)" wish list I am pinning things that I can use now or in the near future (it was indispensable in coming up with colors and ideas for our RV remodel).
Here are a few creative projects recently completed:
I found these shutters at a local flea market for $3.55. Loved the size but the artwork was not going to work.
After: We separated the shutters and repainted them a coral color and then distressed them for a more rustic look.
This is the other shutter with added mason jars attached by copper pipe straps-used to hold an air plant and my pens and pencils. You can also see a small note card from Ellen at Fat Girl Wearing Thin who sells her beautiful art work at EllenBrennemanStudio.
I modified one of my favorite t-shirts into a little tank I would wear more often (I'm not a fan of crew necks). I love the Eat More Kale guy!
While this is very basic sewing I was glad to be able to re-purpose some old shirts into reusable shopping bags.
Found this chair at the thrift store for $5...it was pretty dirty but otherwise sturdy.
Here's the same chair after painting it cobalt blue and distressing it to fit the 'rustic' ambiance.
I also made some reusable mesh produce bags thanks to a tutorial from blogger Valerie Brady at Tried & True.
Sewing my new produce bags from our old laundry bag.
Now, if only I could get myself to lace up those running shoes once again...
I've had quite a long (unplanned) hiatus from my blogs (I also write at Tales From the Mutiny). I partially blame our travels...we hit the road October 3, 2012 in our 32-foot RV, The Mutiny, which left us without internet much of the time. But part of it has been sheer laziness. I know I'm not the only one who finds that they can fill their days with plenty of busy work to avoid doing other things...like writing. I don't want to call this a comeback because I really didn't leave my blog or abandon my writing...it's always there in my thoughts...every day. I just got really, really shall we say...sidetracked.
via Pinterest
Although writing is one of my passions I still have mini panic attacks when I write, publish posts or submit articles for Elephant Journal. I'm always afraid that no one will care, my article will be rejected or that failure in some form or another is just around the corner. I also have a problem with keeping a journal to jot down all of the brilliant ideas and thoughts I have throughout the day...the ones I'm sure would make a fabulous entry. Then, when I sit at the computer my mind seems as blank as the screen. And I want to kill that flashing cursor.
via Pinterest
One of my sewing projects, making reusable shopping bags out of old t-shirts.
So, I have been occupying my time with this busy work...yoga, reading articles and books, organizing the RV, remodeling the RV interior and sewing, which is totally new to me. The yoga part isn't really busy work...it's a life line and it has helped me build some confidence. I did a month long yoga challenge (#yogaeverydamnday) and saw so much improvement that I became addicted. I took some time to work on a few balance poses which really helped me understand the concept of beginner mind. We can't start out as pro's in everything we do...there is always a learning curve.
In Mobile, Alabama
White Sands National Monument
I'm still trying to figure out this life balance. Sometimes the full-time RVing seems like a full-time job but then I realize how luck I am to be able to do this at my age. It's not fair to complain. And I know that I tend to procrastinate. I can only beat myself up about this so many times...
I am exploring and working hard at figuring out how to make this all work...the need to write, finding the inspiration and direction, staying creative, keeping positive and being fearless. I am experimenting with new passions and creative endeavors and am thankful for some new friends (and old) who help inspire me. I've also got a new gadget (Karma) which I am hoping will give me more reliable internet once we resume our travels.
I'm also trying to learn that life isn't always go...go...go. But that sometimes there is nothing wrong with taking a nap, laying in the sun, reading a book or doing a whole lot of nothing.
By the way, I am also on Instagram at lynnbonelli (isn't everyone??) and would love to follow you back so leave your user name in the comments!
Some how I feel like I am more busy now than when I was working. Well, maybe not exactly but I am finding out how much work it is to be a full-time traveler (while taking care of an RV, husband, dog and 2 cats~there's a lot of mapping and cleaning and research involved!). Not that I'm complaining...but I suppose I am giving myself an excuse as to my lack of writing...and working out.
A cairn at Golden Canyon Death Valley National Park
I sure thought it would be easy to start running again...you know, with being in all of these beautiful National Parks and County campgrounds. But it's not. There are a lot of unknowns out there. We are often in places for just a night or two and not all of them appear 'safe' as far as getting out there alone to run a few miles. I've also 'allowed' myself the following excuses:
It's too windy. (Las Vegas and Bullhead City)
It's too hilly. (Sequoia, California Hot Springs, Panamint Springs)
I don't know the area.
I have to do laundry. (this is a half a day task in the RV)
It's too hot. (Death Valley)
It's too cold. (the desert)
I'll look stupid in front of the other RV park guests. (yes, I used that one once and ended up walking about 3 miles instead of running)
And while sometimes there are legitimate reasons to skip a run (after all, you have to feel safe and not get lost and running in 45 mph winds with gusts up to 65 mph isn't my idea of a fun run) I've certainly had many opportunities to just get out there and just run. Instead I opted for some hiking and biking, which wasn't all that easy. One of our hikes was over 7 miles and uphill for half of it and another was 3 miles but had a 1000 foot elevation gain within 1.5 miles.
In Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks.
Still, I am starting to get the ache to run...especially when I read some of the blogs I follow, or tweets from runner friends. At this point (2 months since my last run, which was a trail half marathon) I am sure it will feel like starting over...low mileage and struggling with breathing. But I also remember the feeling of accomplishment and the freedom I would feel of just being outside running.
Admittedly, there is still that part of me that feels almost guilted into working out, and perhaps that's why I am resisting. I don't want my body image to dictate whether or not I work out or run. There's a fine line between loving yourself as you are and letting it all go to pot. So I am trying to let the desire return on it's own in some respect. I don't want to become that obsessive compulsive exerciser again...working out because I am less than if I don't.
In the meantime, I'll continue with the hiking and biking with some kettle bell workouts and yoga mixed in for good measure. As far as writing, well I have filled up half a composition book over the course of 30 days since we are so often without Internet that it's the only way to keep up with my thoughts. Hopefully, as we travel to more civilized areas I can turn some of those words into future blog posts. I think there's some good stuff in there!
As I was writing this I came across a couple of interesting articles I felt described what I meant in regard to taking my exercise too far. Here are the links, I highly recommend them! http://whole9life.com/2012/06/be-good-to-yourself-inside-and-out/ http://whole9life.com/2012/10/lies-we-tell-ourselves/ http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/10/strong-is-the-new-skinny-my-ass-sandi-burden/
While in the midst of writing a future blog post about how I seem to becoming more introverted as I age (as if that is even possible) I happened to enter and win 2 tickets to see attend a 'Live From the Artists Den' private concert and TV taping of The Wallflowers. As thrilled as I was to actually win something, I must admit that my first thought was 'well that's nice but I'm not going'...this being due to my recent 'homebodiness' which has left me with no desire to leave the confines of the RV we now call home.
Knowing how much my husband loves Bob Dylan (father of Jakob Dylan who is the lead singer of The Wallflowers) and the singer-song writers who persevere in a tough American Idol pop industry I mentioned that I won these tickets to him. However, he was scheduled for same day surgery 2 days prior to the concert and decided he most likely wouldn't be up for a trip to the City (San Fransisco). He mentioned this on Facebook where I got a response from fellow blogger and friend Lauren of me & my beautiful mess who said she would happily keep me company.
Lauren is very much into music and lyrics which really does make a huge difference when seeing a band like The Wallflowers. She has an eclectic taste in music so I knew this would enhance my concert experience. Besides, as a fellow blogger I knew that we could make this an adventure with no eye-rolling when I decided to take 4 pictures of our cocktails before we would be allowed to drink them. =)
My Pomegranate Martini sans the fancy glass.
Our little adventure actually started, for me...in my 2 foot wide closet, which I proceeded to empty as I tried on everything I own. You see, the email confirmation stated the preferred attire was Smart-Casual. I admit here and now, I had to Google what that meant exactly. After going through my closet AND the extra clothing stashed in a storage space above the bed (remember, we are living in an RV full-time now), my husband finally offered to 'dress me'. Dark jeans, a black and purple satin top, long black belted cardigan, and my S & M'esque wedges. Not too practical for walking in San Francisco but they added just enough 'smart' to the casual look.
These make me no longer short.
Philz...not just for vegans.
Lauren and I left at 3pm even though the door didn't open until 7pm to allow for a stop at Bare Essentials and Philz Coffee in Berkeley. The hubs and I 'discovered' Philz during Outside Lands 3 year ago when, freezing to death, we found the only hot drink available at their vendor space. Now, whenever we venture to the City, Philz is on our places to stop. It was Lauren's first taste of Philz Mint Mojito Iced Coffee and I think she approved!
The always beautiful Bay Bridge
Some new art along the Embarcadero.
We hit some slow moving traffic at the Embarcadero only to find out the road was being closed due to a huge 4-Alarm fire at Pier 29. Not to be deterred, Lauren took to navigating the streets and found a way around the traffic, through China Town and North Beach to make sure we made it to our destination just in time.
Lauren made friends with the sweetest bathroom attendant ever while I ordered drinks. Bimbo's, where the concert was held, is a retro style venue that is perfect for that up close concert experience. The Wallflowers played several hits from Bringing Down the Horse (including One Headlight) as well as some of their new songs, which were awesome, rekindling my love for the band (of course it doesn't hurt that Jakob is still so dang cute).
Photo Credit: A Beautiful Mess (Lauren)
When I got home and was telling Clark all about it I realized that the last time I saw The Wallflowers at The Fillmore they were filming the video for their song The Difference and tonight they were filming a concert...how lucky am I?!?
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