Real Life Wednesday: On The Simplest Inspiration.
I’m going to tell you about the biggest mish mash of random stuff today.
First up, current favorite snack. Such an easy one but still. Apples sprinkled with cinnamon, dipped in vanilla almond butter. I’ve been eating this combo since elementary school, swap peanut for almond butter though. Forgive me for the serious boredom snack, but it’s so freaking good. It’s the perfect give-me-energy-fill-me-up snack.
Um let’s talk about what I did on Saturday night. Or, shall I say, what I did AFTER Saturday night. Eddie was at the derby. I came home and wasn’t super tired, so I ordered the Mayweather-Maidana fight on pay per view because I’m a nut. I then was up until nearly 2am watching it on the edge of my seat.
All by myself. YEP.
Can I tell you about something that might sound dumb but is not so dumb? I’m going to. It’s my afternoon walks. I think I’ve talked about walking before and how it’s therapeutic for me and how it makes me happy and feel good, but it’s REALLY working wonders for me right now. It’s probably because this winter went on so damn long that I got a late start with midday walks – in previous years I’ve been able to make it outside in early March.
Yeah, it sounds so ridiculously DUH but it’s life changing for me most days. I can say life changing because 1. I’m a dramatic flake but 2. it’s life changing in a way that when I look at my week as a whole, those walks do great things for my small creative self. (like teach me how to form strawberries into a heart, apparently.)
A few weeks ago at go blog social I talked about stepping away from work things and finding inspiration. Trying to find things that inspire me outside of food things or writing or blogging and all that jazz. If I can’t get out of my own head and do something outside of work that makes me feel inspired, any content that comes from my brain or fingers seems so… uninspired. Not that I expect my daily ramblings to be anything close to INspiring, but hey, maybe they will, uh… inspire your dinner plans? Plain and simple, if I don’t feel somewhat inspired then anything I put into the outside world feels stale. Regardless if anyone else is seeing it or not.
That’s where these little walks come in for me. I didn’t include walking on my vision board but I probably should have.
Mid-afternoon on the days that I’m home, like anywhere between 1 o 4 or so, I head outside and walk for however long I have – but usually around 30 minutes or so. It’s not an exercise thing, unless we want to be totally cliché and say it’s brain exercise thing. Ah. See what I did there?
It’s something that rejuvenates me, gets me out of the house, into the sunshine, gives my brain a break but also a chance to brainstorm at the same time, gives me new ideas and… allows me to avoid a nap. Big one there. If I nap, I often feel like death afterwards. Unless it’s Saturday. Then I will gladly nap for four hours straight. Yoga also does this for me, but not in the same way.
Did I really just write multiple paragraphs about walking? I did. It’s a thing. But! It all plays into my whole mind inspiration game. Moral of the story, TAKE A DAMN WALK! Oh yes. I do take my phone, but mainly just in case. Just in case… I don’t know. Sometimes I don’t take it. Lots of times I do and I listen to podcasts. And take emo pictures of the sky and trees with blooms.
Also!  after I do this, I love all the things. I really do. Not that it’s any different that usual.
That is so me and I don’t even care.
Hmmm. I read two books this week! I read Jane Green’s Tempting Fate even though so many of you told me not to do it, that the characters were hate-able. Yes. They were certainly hate-able. I was severely annoyed. But sometimes I like when I hate characters because I find that as a writer, it’s really hard to write hateful characters! At least for me. Probably since I love everything and all. I didn’t omglove the book but I did fly through it in 24 hours, and I do like that. I wasn’t able to put it down just because I wanted to see what these idiots were going to do next. I love when I can’t put a book down and forgo all other responsibilities to read my face off.
So right now I’m almost finished with Babe Walker’s Psychos. Dying. Can you say hilarious? And insane?
Today’s PSA: mocha cookie crumble frappuccinos are back at Starbucks. I love and hate life at the same time.
30 Comments on “Real Life Wednesday: On The Simplest Inspiration.”
I LOVE walks. Morning or afternoon. Waiting for my first little babe to be born in August, so I hope for many wonderful walks in my future!
Frappuccinos are half off between 3 and 5 until the 10th of May. Had my first mocha cookie crumble the other day. OMG.
I need to incorporate more walks into my life! I could use some down time that involves me just walking and thinking–that usually happens for me at various points in the day (randomly), but I would love do it for a set amount of time and really just focus on it!
I love this! Going for walks is something I just haven’t been able to get myself to do in the past (blame our super long winter for one, and second, whenever I go for a walk my type A personality insists that it must be for a productive purpose, like picking up groceries or running – ahem, walking – an errand). However, I’m really liking the idea of getting out for walks during my lunch break, and you’ve inspired me to make it happen… as soon as it freaking stops raining!
I take a walk almost every day (weather cooperating) around lunchtime. I sit at a desk all day, and not only does it rejuvenate me physically but mentally as well. It definitely helps me get over that mid-afternoon slump. I love that time because it’s a chance for me to sort of “turn off” my mind for a bit, feel the sunshine, and relax. Makes the workday go by faster, too! Also, that is SO funny that you would order a fight all by yourself. I feel like that is so NOT what I would expect you to do (even though I’ve never actually met you)! :)
This is such a great post! I used to walk every single day in Houston when I lived right on the bayou, and it made me feel like everything was going to be okay in the end even after the hardest days. I try to walk often now, but my neighborhood is not quite safe enough for a relaxed walk unless I bring someone with me. This post is making me think harder about how I can incorporate at least a small walk in a different neighborhood most days, though…thank you!
I had that mocha cookie crumble frap on Friday and have been dreaming about it ever since! Totally agree on the walks, so necessary
I walk the dogs almost every day of the week and have to do so separately, so I’m out for about an hour total. I just recently started leaving my phone at home and it has been FREEing. Not that I was on it the whole time and I would usually just call and chat with my mom, but now it’s a time to let my mind wander more + think. And I can pay more attention to the dogs, work on their training, and not piss off drivers for walking w/the phone held to my ear. Also, less juggling of the leash/phone/poop bags, haha. Walks are totally underrated.
I find walks therapeutic too! Mostly in spring and fall before the walks turn into way too much hotness and get all sweaty. They’re an excellent way to get some vitamin D after winter…the thought of which just brightens my mood. Love it.
And now I want to take a walk. :) There was some e-card the other day like, “I really want to exercise but then I want to not exercise more.”
It is exhilarating though!
I am with you on the walks and because of YOU I have a vision board!! YAY!
I am in the middle of Tempting Fate right now. I don’t find the characters quite as hate-able as many of the reviews I read, but maybe they get worse as the book goes on? It’s definitely got that train-wreck-can’t-look-away thing going on, but I’m still enjoying it!
I love all of Jane Green’s novels and was so excited to start Temping Fate last week. I actually found it difficult to read so I put it down in favor of Fangirl. I flew through Fangirl in two days and am considering re-reading it because it went too fast!! I may have to give Tempting Fate a second chance though…
taking walks and exercising outside refreshes my mind too! being free and open out in the natural world is relieving in some way. also, that ryan adams quote is MY LIFE.
Walks are so underrated, especially when you’re my age. I don’t do them for hardcore exercise either; it’s definitely more of a mental release. I took a lot of walks around this time last year and into the summer- when I was working for a company that I hated and made me miserable. I would walk to Frick Park and back. They helped me wind down! Plus, the homes on Beechwood Blvd. are gorgeous to look at.
I run every day but I also walk, too. There is something about a hard run, a hard workout that really pushes me that I crave and need, but I also love to slow down and just walk, and just smell the roses and clear my head and yes, it’s all outdoors. Luckily San Diego’s climate permits year round outdoor stuff (huge reason why I live here!) b/c treadmills just arent the same! Love that walking is so therapeutic for you and that you’re able to be outside again this spring!
I call them weirdo walks, when I just go outside and walk around for the sake of walking around. Fresh air does the body good! Weirdo walks are my favorite.
I love the psa about the frappachino lol. I tottally got an email from starbucks about earning bonus points if I purchase x amounts of frappachinos by x date…now I have all the more reason to get one (or one every day) LOL!
I love walks too. Its so nice to actually tilt your face UP (crazy, right?) and see how bright and warm and beautiful it is outside.
I was JUST reading about how Stanford did this study that shows walking improves creativity! (If you’re interested: http://stanford.io/1fMgsPF) I love going for walks and runs to clear my mind, and we just ordered standing desks at my workplace so I’m excited to see if they’ll help keep the juices flowing during the regular 3 pm lull.
I adore your posts and your blog and your writing SO much. Everything you write is just … ugh. perfect. I should probably start taking walks too.
Apples with Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter has become my snack of choice lately!
How do you not weigh a thousand pounds? I limit myself to treats once a week but would never have a frapp with whip cream. But that probably says more about me (and my frapp-less life) than you. I want your metabolism.
i love love love walks. sometimes just getting out of the house for a 30 minute stroll changes my mood so drastically. and you’ve definitely inspired me today, i really want to get out and buy almond butter and that delicious looking frappuccino!
xo, cheyenne
I don’t like walks. Kinda hate them? I dunno. I guess I can’t really say hate, because once I’m walking I feel better about it. But that initial push to get me out of the house is inner-struggle worthy. If I’m walking to something or around something like a mall or shopping center, then I’m good.
I do wish I could read a book in a day though. I’d love to be able to do that.
1) That tree is gorgeous
2) You need to check this out. Apparently someone invented at 3D printer that can print eye shadow or lipstick in any color you want?! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/makeup-printer-mink_n_5279546.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063
I’m literally reading this while eating lunch at my desk AFTER i just came in from a great walk in the sunshine ! i walked 2 miles at lunch 2x already this week and i’ve loved it. its sooooo nice to have a walk at lunch. it wakes me up, the sun feel sooo good, and somehow like you i love everything after ? WTF is up with that. is that the “endorphins” i’ve been waiting to hit me on all my runs for the last 3 years. And also, you are right….somehow walking and yoga do somiliar things for my mind but not the same. it must be a thing.
i’m jealous of your walks! It’s freezing cold here (I’m rugged up in my dressing gown and it’s only 5pm). I’d love some warm spring weather for a leisurely walk, can you spare some? :)
Your photo of the mocha cookie crumble frappuccino took something amazing and made it even better. Oh help me stay away from that for a bit longer.
Pingback: 3200 words on being pregnant. I’m not kidding. | How Sweet It Is