Slowness
I lost my glasses. Now I have to go the entire day thinking about the scene in My Girl….. “He can’t see without his glasses”. Rough. But I think about that scene on a regular basis and I am sorry I just reminded you of it.
My glasses were left on my redeye flight to New York City because it wouldn’t be August without some sort of adventure, right? This is where we pick back up from week one and reference that good old fashioned five year old Taylor Swift song, August. I started this project on August 1st and was filled with so much excitement for the month (and rightfully so!), but when I claim a “theme song” for a month is from folklore (the pandemic album grammy-award winning time capsule from the years I am trying to process in real time) things get a little gloomy. I am trying my best to not be people pleasing on my own blog and website and over explain, but that means I am also trying to not be myself and there has to be some in between here.
I am striving for slowness. Slow to speak, slow to think…. And that is why I just deplaned a redeye flight from LAX to JFX and have a fully packed itinerary for my short cross-country stint.
When I was a teenager I would always go back to the word oxymoronic. It is oxymoronic to strive for slowness and live such a fast-paced life. However, I do it because I can and one day I may not have the energy or privilege too.
This year has taught me so much, but if I had to sum it up it is that I am so grateful to be alive. In the midst of so much loss around me, the best thing I can do is wake up and give it my best. My hope is that my honesty and transparency reminds you that you are waking up and giving it your best if you are reading this. What a joy to have you be reading this.
Prompt: I need to go explore New York with some of my favorite people now, so I leave you with a prompt oh so fitting, put together your best window seat in an airplane music. If you don’t fly, imagine road trip music. If you don’t do car rides, then maybe a train? Think of music you’d listen to while traveling. The word escapism comes to mind. Give it your best go at an escapism soundtrack, because even if you cannot get away for the weekend - you will always have the music that makes it feel like you are.
My flight landed at 4:44am on August 22nd if you were wondering, and it is so so satisfying the way that lined up. I think it will be a great weekend.
Wishing you all the creativity this week. Be a good neighbor and think of ways to slow down but also enjoy the current moment you are in. And remember you are never alone.
Los Angeles Lover,
Elise Ryan
