I recently put this list together for myself, but thought it might be an idea to share it with you guys too... ever since I started my new 9- 5 'office-type' job, I've sought new ways to stay connected, inspired and in-tune with the 'real world.'
I know this list is a bit ambitious and to be honest, I haven't really gotten into the habit of implementing half of these yet, but it's definitely something I want to work towards... I hope some of these will be useful to you guys and inspire you to try to make the most of your working week....
1# Urban Wandering
I've wandered the streets of many cities in many countries around the world, but nothing beats walking in London. The streets of London are full of inspiration, colour and magic. There's magic everywhere, hidden and apparent- in bits of strange conversation, in stories untold, in the quirky oddities that we tend to over look. London magic- seek it out! Get lost in the crowds, follow the river, find shortcuts, take to the suburbs, trace routes along the city streets and the secret back alleys- wherever you are, take some time out to just wander, for wandering; it is a beautiful thing...
I'm quite lucky to be based in Shaftsbury Avenue, which is close by to some pretty rad areas including Charing Cross, Oxford Circus, Covent Garden and Parliament Square... As a writer I derive a lot of my inspiration/ stories from observing and wandering around London; hearing offbeat dialogue, meeting interesting characters and seeing strange things...
Also unlike most other places, the streets are always open and available for us to use- wander before work, or after work, at night or in the early mornings....
2# Sunsets
I've always found that there's something quite organic and cathartic about watching the sunset. Just to be there, to watch as your day slowly slips away from you, a day that will never come again... Every sun set is different, and on a clear day it is always an amazing sight to behold- the setting sun; a great free spectacle- of soft colours fading and merging; to be part of that moment is to see through the natural day the same way our ancestors did....
...take the time to watch the sunset, from a high place, a green space, from a train window, from your office block. If you can't stay for the whole show, catch a bit of it, just give yourself over to the sky for a few moments....
3# Mates
Stay connected to your friends and family; even if you're working long hours and you get home tired and burnt out take the time out to give your friends a call, or to send them a text message, or arrange to meet up. Maybe go for tea at Ikea, or take a night drive, share conversations on where you are, forget everything else and be present with them; laugh, listen, just be. I've found that just 'being' with friends/ family can be a great way (sometimes!) to relieve stress and revitalise the soul...
4# Cultivate Spirituality
Take the time out to pray, meditate, or to just be quiet with yourself. Personally I would like to start reading the Quran more regularly and other spiritual books and scriptures and to reflect on what I read. I would also like to pray in the early hours of the morning some times and to fast... maybe once a week.
5# Read/ Write
In order to stay engaged and interested, read! Read anything; the economist, the newstateman, countryfile, horse and hound (maybe avoid the evening standard/ the metro/ and soap mags) Read fantastical fiction and inspiring biographies, anything that will keep you thinking....
Write too. I'd really like to continue with my writing and have set myself the task of writing at least one poem a day and one short story a week. If you don't like reading or writing, try cooking instead, or drawing or painting. Try anything, just don't veg out in front of the TV for hours...
6# Photography
Take your camera in with you to work a couple of days a week- maybe document some of your urban wanderings; try to capture the beauty of London life through a lens, look out for oddities and anything offbeat/ weird/ ethereal/ or quintessentially London. Think up new projects that will give you something to work towards...
7# Be Organised!
If you're not organised (which I most definitely am not, right now!) you probably won't do most of the things on this list. Take five minutes out in the morning/ or the night before to plan your day!
8# Stick to the Clock (if you can!)
Don't overwork yourself by staying in the office for hours and hours after 5, (or until you finish what you're doing...) Most of the time it can wait till the next day! Also limit post-work internet time to an hour max! It's bad for your eyes to be glued to the screen all day and it's bad for your brain to be forever stuck to this cyber world of unreality (talking to myself here).
9# Enjoy Work!
Take the time out to learn, to be good at what you do and to make a real difference to your company/ organisation! I know sometimes it can be really really hard to enjoy working, but remember only you can control how to feel/ think about something, so even if you're not doing something that you completely love or want to do, just make the best of it and let it make the best out of you!
10# Help out Wherever you Can
I've had a lot of jobs over the years and have always stuck to this one rule: work to live and to give, but don't live to work! I think its important to have a long-term goal, an ambition- something to move towards. On your journey; smile, be receptive, buy that homeless man a cup to tea, stand to watch the busker sing his heart out for a couple of minutes longer, give in charity and stay connected and positive! (still talking to myself here). Your day doesn't have to end at 5, that's when it can really begin!
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