I started this blog in April and feel very pleased that I have posted every week since its start. It takes time, dedication and commitment to write even one post each week without any interruptions. Sometimes, the deadlines have been tight, but this was a promise to myself to do this activity and to get my writing life fully living again after many years of absence.

 It has become a time of relaxation and while this is published online, the simple art of writing focuses me to become ‘offline’ and off the grid of to-do lists. It’s been an extremely mindful practice and one that is bringing me more awareness and self-care.

Furthermore, it has certainly brought my writing discipline to the table. At first, I was afraid I would quickly run out of topics and things to say, but each week the words have flowed without any effort. I have found this easy, so far. I have no writer’s block and I have barely begun to write about all the list of subjects I had written down at the start of this intention and have up my sleeve.

But we all need rest, and a recent yoga retreat on Sunday made me realise how tired I am within myself and how much I need a restorative period. This year has been a full one and great, but a lot has happened and there has been a lot to juggle.

The topic I want to write about can wait until I return from a much-needed break. I am going to Oxford to celebrate my aunt’s 90th birthday. Then I will return, have time off from teaching while some house renovation starts. There will be painting/decorating to do but it will be different from lesson planning. I can listen to music, relax and go out for walking and days out, alone and with my family.

We all need time and space to unwind and do what we need to do. For me, time away from screens is what I need right now. It also gives me an opportunity to walk in nature which is what I love doing the most.

I wish to thank all of you for supporting this blog, so far and for all the comments, encouragement and support which has already made this all so worthwhile.

For now, I will leave you with some summer sunshine, flowers from my garden and an idea from Claudia Hammond’s book ‘ The Art of Rest’ which I will re-read over this summer break from tutoring. She talks about creating a rest box. In hers, she mentions a crochet hook, seeds to plant and music. What a lovely idea. She also stresses that rest doesn’t mean having to sit and do nothing. I wonder what I shall put in mine.

There is a saying that goes,

“A change is as good as a rest.”

I have a fiction novel to take with me to Oxford. At the time of this post, my work concludes tomorrow for the end of the academic year. I no longer have a position in a school, but I still have kept the mindset as if I do. On Thursday, I will wrap up for the year from an admin view point, do one further day of Nana duties, and then pack my case to drive off on Saturday.

Take care and I will be back on August 7th.

Until then,

Helen.

‘ The Art of Rest. How to Find Respite in the Modern Age’ Claudia Hammond, 2020 CanonGate books. Pg 262.