Day 17: Automatic
I train for art like I train for sports, or is it the other way around? I don’t know. In any case, today’s little change was to do some timed automatic drawing. Some interval training.
When I added this to my list of things that I wanted to do this month, I added it for two reasons; the first was that although this is something I really enjoy doing on paper, it’s not something I’ve experimented with too much in the digital realm. So many options at my fingertips all at once! Where would my brain go? The second reason was that although this is something I’ve been researching a lot lately, I haven’t actually been doing as much of it as I’d like. So, in the interest of switching into production mode, here I am.
Setting a timer didn’t feel right, so I decided to use songs as the blocks of time I’d dedicate to each drawing. Initially I had considered doing this in silence so that I wouldn’t be influenced by the music, but I think this was the right call. I took short breaks between drawings to jump between genres of music depending on where my head was at after I completed a drawing. If that didn’t feel right, I let the music play on and started a new drawing.
This was a nice little challenge to give myself – I spent much more time than I had planned on it. Definitely something that is hard to stop doing once you get started.
Day 16: Backwards
Since I’m already on the topic of lists, I might as well get this out of the way.
Today’s little change was to start at the bottom of my to-do list, where all the inconsequential tasks linger. Things like rehanging a piece of art that got taken down when a wall needed to be repaired a few months ago, decluttering and reorganizing the linen closet for the sake of making it more pleasing to the eye. Little things. Little things that, in the spirit of Day 6, will cumulatively go a long way in helping me enjoy my time here.
Day 15: Plan
A new month! Signs of spring! Optimism!
Bear with me, it’s hard to write a post about making plans at the tail end of a year spent cancelling them. Where to begin?
If you’ve been reading along since Day 1, I’m sure it’s already clear that I’m a meticulous list keeper. I’m also someone who delights in making plans. Mapping and parcelling things out. Crossing things off lists. Task complete, goal achieved.
I don’t think anyone needs to read more about how difficult making plans in the context of a global pandemic is. We’re all dealing with this. The words “not favourable” come to mind, and that’s sugarcoating it. Nevertheless, today’s little change was to reassess old plans and make new ones in spite of the circumstances. This too shall pass.
Day 14: Yoga
A milestone! Two weeks of little changes! It’s hard to put into words just yet, but I think this process is working its magic. There’s something about the intentionality of it. A renewed sense of purpose after a year of being caught in a pandemic induced cycle of resigning to and resisting circumstances.
Today’s change was extra tiny, but for the first time since I’ve started this, it involved signing up for something and showing up. No, it was not my first yoga class, but it was the first time I’ve signed myself up for yoga nidra, something that has been on my to-do list for YEARS. I’m not kidding.
I have no good excuse for this other than the fact that I’m a creature of habit. Even in the era of Zoom yoga classes, I’ve continued to sign up for classes that were part of my routine and they’ve certainly helped me keep my head above water through the worst of this mess. On the one hand, there’s an element of seeking comfort in what is familiar that should be acknowledged and honoured. On the other, there’s an element of overreliance that needs to be disrupted. Gently.
Day 13: Out
I needed to get out of my apartment, so I called someone with a good grasp of local geography and had them assign a destination for a long drive. Somewhere I hadn’t been before.
The change of scenery helped. Might do it again next weekend.