The joy of nothing is a sweeter something
And I will hold it in my heart
– Foy Vance, Joy of Nothing
[I wrote the below post back in spring, when there was a steady rhythm to our days as we go to know our new city. By the beginning of June, I had been to 3 different countries in the space of four weeks, alongside shooting, hosting, nesting, and yes, still unpacking – but I look forward to quieter days, indulging in some of the below. Of course, with a baby on the way, these spontaneous escapades are taking on a new significance too.]
Indulgence is…
… Deciding to walk for 40 minutes instead of taking a bus that could get us there in 15. The indulgence of taking our time, talking and talking in the sunshine, phone-free (with brief interruptions for Google Maps checking or picture taking). Ben and I walked over 15km one day, all around various Lisbon neighbourhoods, and teased out so many ideas, just walking and talking.
… Making the spontaneous decision to go see a movie, 10 minutes before it started. I can’t remember the last time I did that!
… Following our epic walk with an even more epic burger lunch.
… Drinking lemonade in a sun trap. Lisbon has so many pretty miradouros – the Jardim Do Torel one was a recent find, tucked away and relatively quiet.
… Staying in bed on Sunday reading my new stash of magazines, bought at Under the Cover or the fab mag kiosk at LX Factory.
… An extra long session of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (yes, I’m still playing it 😂) or Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch or Alto’s Odyssey on my phone (current obsession).
… Giving myself permission to rest, to read slow, informative think pieces, to nap if I want to.
… Taking out the watercolours and just playing.
Rest and reflection are so crucial, and I feel it’s a lesson I keep having to learn and relearn as I tend to really put the pedal to the metal a lot of the time. Lisbon life is helping for sure though. This brilliant episode of Hurry Slowly dives into the topic eloquently, discussing how downtime boosts your creativity and how you actually can get more done by working less.
Top illustration by brilliant Porto-based designer and illustrator Amalteia.
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