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Been a bit stuck with my writing for the past couple of weeks but I managed to unstick myself with a good, long, early-morning walk around London before work. I know Dickens used to walk a lot while to thought out his stories. Will Self is well-known for his long walks. I'm sure that I read somewhere ages ago about Stephen King doing lots of walking but can't remember where.Does anyone else out there use walking as a way of relaxing and letting their imaginations get unstuck? I'm thinking of getting myself a voice recorder for when I'm out for a walk but feel a bit silly about using one of these in public. Any advice on how I can get used to this, and stop being so self-conscious?
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Tha's a bit less noticeable I'd have thought.
Actually, people do walk along talking to themselves Robert, into mobile phones on their earholes and the like. Could you purchase as similar device yet one that records?
edited to say: I do actually walk quite a lot and find that helps me clear my thoughts, I just scribble them down once I get home or note a few key points as I walk along/stop at lamp posts, that sort of thing
Walking is excellent exercise, and exercise gees the brain up (when you've got over being knackered by it all).
Once I walked back from town ( 25 mins) and composed a whole poem in my head for the WM Xmas poetry comp. That one was shortlisted. If I am worried I will forget anything I take out my note book and jot things down wherever I am. I have never thought about taking my voice recorder and not sure I would as I already have enough to carry in my handbag with reading specs, sunglasses, phone, purse etc!
You could get one of those in-the-ear things then people would think you're talking on the phone. Or there's a new watch/mobile phone I saw advertised - you'd look like a CIA bloke talking into your wrist. I take a notebook. Are you out too early to pop into a cafe with a notebook if you're struck with inspiration?
Writing on the train probably makes you look intellectual.
I was so engrossed in me reciting....
I actually hated it because nearly all the women were in pairs! I know it's pathetic but I felt so alone! I ended up not staying for the full hour and left feeling really low. I think walking would have been a better option after all, usually the outdoors perks me up in itself.
The outdoors will perk you up as it's exercise and it's fresh air. You carry on walking alone and stuff everyone else. :)
This may not be something you'd like to contemplate, but are there any groups in your area you could join
in something you might enjoy? For example, netball, or badminton? You could ring and explain you're interested in
taking part in a healthy activity but won't know anyone there. You don't have to say much more except you want to join but you'll be on your own.
I'm sure once you tell the organiser that they'll make sure everyone makes a special effort to bring you into the group. These groups depend on people joining them, so they'll be pleased to see you.
Or how about a walking group? I'm sure there must be something in your area. You walk and talk with people.
:)
I think I've just ended up in the situation where I've lost contact with people I went to school with, I have one or two close friends who live ages away and I rarely see and I'm finding it very hard meeting new people and it's something that does upset me. Right now I'm just trying to make an effort where I can, like the going swimming (although in hindsight that was never going to work).
I'm just going to have to keep trying I suppose.
Just keep reminding yourself that if you don't go out and try new situations, the one you're in will never change.
You could always try volunteering as another option. Approach your local volunteer bureau and they'll have a chat with you about your likes and dislikes and together you'll work out which organisation you'd be best suited to help.
There are some great groups of people out there who all join together for a common good cause and you wouldn't have to feel self conscious about being there, as they'd be extremely grateful you were. :)
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :)
Does your sports centre do different types of classes, Emma?
The leisure centre I go to does a lot of different classes as well as swimming, and the majority attend by themselves, but get to know other people attending- and soon realise they do other classes with some of the same people, so having a face you then recognise helps.
Our local (okay local is 5-10 minutes on the bus) leisure centre often does taster sessions for new classes they're starting up-especially around September. Complete strangers go to try it out and sometimes take it up.
The latest was 'pole fitness' yes like in pole dancing, but excercises to increase fitness, and I know a few people who went and were on the wrong side of 48. :)
In fact the next day when we went into the same studio to do our belly dancing class (the regulars are all 50+), the ceiling tiles were either dislodged or broken from the top of the poles...
Look at it this way, Emma. You wouldn't need a friend with you to go into a shop you've never visited before if you needed to buy something from there that only they stocked. This is just like that. Good luck.
Outdoors + alone = cycling. A really relaxing exercise. Gets you out in the countryside and can double up as transport for most of the local journeys you undertake during the day. And it's something you can do alone, although it's great fun sharing rides with others.
Carol, yes my sports centre does different classes and I'm thinking of taking up the Thai Boxing maybe, it's something I've always wanted to do. My only concern is the possibility of a 'pairing up' scenario where I'm left without a partner but I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one with that possibility and besides if it goes badly and I hate it I just don't go back so I may give that a try.
Thanks again everyone, this is something I really want to work on and if anyone has any other thoughts on how I can get myself 'out there' having fun and meeting people please let me know because I want to make the most of things.
[quote=robertyaxley] I managed to unstick myself with a good, long, early-morning walk around London...Does anyone else out there use walking as a way of relaxing and letting their imaginations get unstuck?[/quote] Not sure about the relaxing part, exactly, but you're quite right; it does tend to shake a few cob-webby ideas loose, Robert. Even if one word pops into your head that wasn't there before you started, it could be the beginnings of something more. I know what you mean about talking to yourself, though. When you start to get embarrassed, just look around and tell yourself that you don't know anyone and that it's unlikely you'll see them again. Could work. Let us know how you get on.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/09/how-walking-inspires-writers
Email one of them first if you can, then you'll know someone to say hello to when you turn up.
As for walking on your own - I reckon if I wear trainers I look athletic and people will assume I'm doing it for my health!
Trouble is, if a 'big event' occurs during the journey (like getting cut-up or similar), the stress involved can sometimes blank out my mental notes, or at least abbreviate/muddle them - and as it'd downright dangerous to consider writing whilst driving, that's a no-go; using voice recorders in vehicles is as bad as a mobile phone, legally, and the darned things always pick up every rattle & squeak in the vehicle anyway, making it tough to decipher later... Just have to stick with the mental generator, eh? ;-)
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Yes because not only would you be going walkies but also bending down a lot to scooopie up pooopeeees. Quite honestly, would you really like to have to pick up a warm and squishy item after your dog had dumped it or would you rather just be walking?
Actually, I find the best time for me to think about writing is when I'm mowing the lawn. Love it. Lawn mowing time is MY time, and nobody comes near me because the mower is too noisy to hold a conversation. Well, it's either that or nobody comes near me because I look dangerous with the lawnmower....hmmm.
Emma, I understand somewhat of how you feel. I was always very outgoing, confident, have a go at much - but now find that having working home-alone for 12 years, I am not so confident - it may be an age thing for me, not sure. But I do know I need to get out more with other people.