What an utter blinder of a post, a real clarion call to be doing something different, every day. Thanks for that TFB, I thought I'd peaked this week by switching my daily coffee from an Americano to a long black (espresso and hot water vs hot water and espresso), but I now I'm minded to push beyond even that. Xx
So, so true! I turned 50 in the Easter holidays. To stave off that feeling of the beginning of my decline (which I have thought in darker moments) I decided to learn some new skills to take with me into my second half century. I enrolled into courses to learn to make sourdough and to tow a trailer (that's two separate courses!). I pushed myself out of my comfort zone driving my daughter & pony to & from pony camp for a week, took the kids to Go Ape! and did it with them and ran the Brighton marathon. Along with all the birthday celebrations and time spent with friends & family that two week Easter holiday created more meaningful memories than the whole rest of the year so far!
YES, YES, YES! This is brilliant, Tiff. Thank so much for writing, publishing and encapsulating what so many creatives must feel... I've tried to understand why I'm writing so much these days (and I include music and poetry in my case) and it is about recovering the sensation of living, of proving meaning and identity and on seeking to give voice to what makes me (in my case) distinctly human and unique. I'd started this in Lockdown and following a heart attack which probably 'helped' me think more about the fragility and temporality of existence (it's why I often thank my MI!!). And your piece made me remember this from my English MPhil:
'The purpose of art is to impart the sensation of things as they are perceived and not as they are known. The technique of art is to make objects 'unfamiliar', to make forms difficult, to increase the difficulty and length of perception because the process of perception is an aesthetic end in itself and must be prolonged' (Viktor Shklovsky, 1917)
Thank you! I LOVE this quote - thank you for sharing. What a great way to think about the purpose of art.. I'm really inspired by your musical creativity and your amazing health story - it sounds like you definitely took that sign from the universe and ran with it :)
Beautifully articulated words about what it means to be human, ie. to be an artist. Birds create masterpieces of a nest without really trying, being naturally 'at one'. What has happened to human 'natural' intelligence?
What an utter blinder of a post, a real clarion call to be doing something different, every day. Thanks for that TFB, I thought I'd peaked this week by switching my daily coffee from an Americano to a long black (espresso and hot water vs hot water and espresso), but I now I'm minded to push beyond even that. Xx
Thank youuuu! You sound like a new man already. x
I don't even recognise myself. X
So, so true! I turned 50 in the Easter holidays. To stave off that feeling of the beginning of my decline (which I have thought in darker moments) I decided to learn some new skills to take with me into my second half century. I enrolled into courses to learn to make sourdough and to tow a trailer (that's two separate courses!). I pushed myself out of my comfort zone driving my daughter & pony to & from pony camp for a week, took the kids to Go Ape! and did it with them and ran the Brighton marathon. Along with all the birthday celebrations and time spent with friends & family that two week Easter holiday created more meaningful memories than the whole rest of the year so far!
Yessss this sounds amazing! What a lovely way to celebrate a beautiful milestone :)
Just found this via a restack and what a marvellous read, thank you
Thanks so much Mark!
YES, YES, YES! This is brilliant, Tiff. Thank so much for writing, publishing and encapsulating what so many creatives must feel... I've tried to understand why I'm writing so much these days (and I include music and poetry in my case) and it is about recovering the sensation of living, of proving meaning and identity and on seeking to give voice to what makes me (in my case) distinctly human and unique. I'd started this in Lockdown and following a heart attack which probably 'helped' me think more about the fragility and temporality of existence (it's why I often thank my MI!!). And your piece made me remember this from my English MPhil:
'The purpose of art is to impart the sensation of things as they are perceived and not as they are known. The technique of art is to make objects 'unfamiliar', to make forms difficult, to increase the difficulty and length of perception because the process of perception is an aesthetic end in itself and must be prolonged' (Viktor Shklovsky, 1917)
Thank you! I LOVE this quote - thank you for sharing. What a great way to think about the purpose of art.. I'm really inspired by your musical creativity and your amazing health story - it sounds like you definitely took that sign from the universe and ran with it :)
You say it so well. I’m off to walk the opposite way along the river!
Yasss! Enjoy! :)
This is all so true, Tiff. Have you read Sarah Wilson's book This One Wild and Precious Life? I can thoroughly recommend it. x
Oooo no I haven't but I've heard about it plenty of times! I'm taking this as my sign to read it - thanks Helen! x
I love that Anne Lamont book- and this post is such a lovely reminder that living isn’t about the big things.
Same! I only read it for the first time a few months ago but I ended up with so many notes - lots of wise gems in there. x
Bolshie and feisty - the new old TFB.
Beautifully articulated words about what it means to be human, ie. to be an artist. Birds create masterpieces of a nest without really trying, being naturally 'at one'. What has happened to human 'natural' intelligence?