I took this picture this morning on a rather chilly and cloudy walk. It was, as it always is, lovely to have the opportunity to go for a walk. I think I am appreciating everything a lot more, now that I can’t do the things and see the people I love!
I’m trying to get fitter and more in shape. Since lockdown, I have been walking 2-4.5 miles a day, I am drinking more water, dancing more and doing yoga. I can’t necessarily see a difference in my body, overly, but I can feel a massive difference in my mood, energy and general outlook on life.
It’s hard to find the right way to get through this. But you’ve got to find the right way for you. And if it doesn’t work, that’s ok. Just do what you want and can.
My main aim was to solve a Rubik’s cube. And after 5 hours of learning and a week of practicing: nailed it in under 5 minutes!
Champion!
I am also using this time to begin/re-begin/ carry on running. I’m not the greatest, but managed to jog a fair distance today. See what happens tomorrow! Furthermore, I am encouraging myself to do some yoga and other exercise routines daily. Again, see what happens!
I am also pushing myself in learning new skills with photography, and just enjoying being able to use my camera, having the time for it, and showing my masterpieces to the rest of the world! Or my less than 2k followers on Instagram.
I hope you are all ok and are managing in the current climate the best you can.
I went for a walk two days ago, just around my housing estate. It was a wonderful and beautiful, bright morning. The sun was shining and there was a light early summer breeze.
I took my camera with me. It was such a lovely walk, taking the time to see the gorgeous nature and wildlife that lives around me. The colours of the flowers I photographed are so vibrant and it really reflected the mood I felt at the time.
It’s a very difficult time. Some days are good, others not so much. But like I stated in my last post: photography has and is keeping me sane and through this period of time in history.
I live my life searching and seeing anything I can photograph. I have concentrated on photography for the last 3 years, and it has been the most welcome adventure of my life.
I have come to the realisation the beauty is all around. I love using my camera and phone to take snaps of anything and everything. It’s given me a new lease of life and ambition.
Lockdown for the virus has made me realise how special photography is to me. There isn’t a time that goes by that I don’t think of a life and future taking photos. So with that in mind, with a backlog of over 200 photos in stock, I am going to constantly add to my Instagram and Facebook pages (@jt.photography92) and learn new skills along the way from the wonderful and inspirational photographers I follow and admire.
The image of the bird and the trellis attached to this post was taken through my bedroom window. I am so fortunate enough to have a wonderful and large garden to look out into everyday and I love watching the happy wildlife enjoying their quieter new lease of life.
Photography has helped me through this process of isolation. Whether it be a daily walk, or simply a garden chill, I always try to take photos.
If all you did today was wake up – then you should be very proud of yourself.
If all you have done today was eat something small, breathe, got dressed or just sat on the couch – you should also be very proud of yourself.
As this tough time continues, do not be afraid of your emotions. I think you are doing so well. If you are having a bad day, don’t be hard on yourself. No one knows what we are going through, no one knows the answer in how to cope and live with lockdown, no one has been through this before. So my only advice to anyone reading is: just be. Just take each day as it comes. Be how you need to be, feel how you need to feel, and do what you want to do. There is no pressure or any expectations.
I, myself, have been up and down through this awful and surreal process. The way I cope with the day to day monotony, is to set a goal for each day. May that having a shower and putting some make up on. Going for a walk in the morning instead of the afternoon, sitting in the garden in the sunshine and listening to the birds or simply just watching a film. But there’s one thing I definitely do every day: be kind to myself.
As I enter week 3 of lockdown, I have gotten to know my friends more through group chats, I am getting fitter by doing HIIT workouts, yoga and a mile or two walk every day, I have developed new skills such as sewing and drawing and I have treated myself to new and upbeat music. But they are only on the good days.
On the not so good days, sometimes I can’t watch the telly, I just stare out the window. Sometimes I get overly emotional over something trivial, like messing up a crossword. On bad days I overthink and panic as to when I will be able to leave the house properly. The days can be long, but the world is still spinning and I am fortunate to have my friends and family at my fingertips over my phone.
I guess what I’m trying to say, is that there is no right way to live through lockdown. Go at your own pace, and promise me you’ll be kind and loving towards yourself. After all, we are all in this together. We will get through this.
I stood in the garden today and just listened. I listened to the trees in the wind, the birds happily singing; I heard the constant hum of the industrial estate across the road and I heard bees buzzing and living. What I didn’t hear much of, though, were people or cars.
It’s a crazy phase we are going through but I am positive it is for the right reasons. I speak for myself when I say this, but it is giving me the chance to change. Staying home and only being able to go for one walk a day has made me concentrate on my goals. I have signed up to an Open Learning website where I can access and learn from hundreds of free courses. I have time to read all the books I have been planning on reading. I have time to really get to know my friends over the phone. Having the opportunity to take time to unwind and develop skills and hobbies such as painting and drawing: this might be a changing point in my life.
I really miss seeing people. My friends, extended family members. I miss having the chance to go out for meals and seeing shows. But what I have come to realise is, despite the fact I love to be social, that I never allow myself any time. I don’t paint, I don’t read, I don’t go out of my way to better myself with languages and science and philosophy. I don’t put aside much time to exercise or meditate. As I am always too busy.
This is my wake up call to slow down and love myself. So, that’s what I’m going to do everyday.
It’s crazy that when you are on holiday, chilling in the house for days on end doesn’t seem such a big issue. However, when you HAVE to stay inside, you’ve just got to make the most out of a bad situation.
I go in and out of levels of panic. On one hand, this is such a wonderful period of time to focus on myself. Meditate more, yoga more, improve and keep learning le francais, build on my friendships and just be. But on the other hand, I can’t go outside and physically see my friends and family, I will have to limit my screen time on phone and tv and I’m worried about cabin fever.
But I am hanging onto the positives. The most important one is that the world needs this. The world needs us to let it heal. I was out in the garden today, just standing and staring at the trees and listening to the birds. They seemed so happy, singing along to each other. I heard five different types of birds : which made me think to how often I have stood and counted the different calls! Never! So maybe having the opportunity to take a huge step back from life may not be a bad thing after all…
If all else fails, I will have adopted the ability to knit and sew (new winter wardrobe), I will have read 15 books (increased grammar abilities) and I will be able to take my time to plan and post on my blog!
I LOVE the beach. Literally my favourite place in the world.
From my home town to holiday destinations, it calms and soothes my soul, it is so beautiful – no matter where you are – and the sea air makes me sleep really well!
My dream would to buy a house by the beach. Maybe not in Tynemouth, where this picture was taken, but maybe Miami or Spain, where it’s a little hotter!
My favourite part about beaches is the waves.
Crash, swish, woosh… love the calming sounds.
I went to beautiful Brighton back in 2017. It was a solo trip and it changed my life. Mainly for the independence and confidence I gained from enjoying time on my own, but for also being the happiest I have ever been.
I had spent the very hot summer August day shopping and I made my way back to the pier for a spot of beach sitting, sea and people watching and chocolate drop eating.
I sat on the pebble beach, sun in face and bag of chocolate buttons in hand and just couldn’t recall a time where I had been happier.
Whenever I think back, a heavy sense of love washes over me.
I had plans to go round to my friends house on the last night of 2019. It was a special occasion because, as she is a paramedic, she rarely has the festive season off – but this time she was off!
Before hand, though, I had intended to visit Gosforth for some light trail photos.
There is a bridge next to the formerly known Three Mile Pub which was the place I began taking photos. It was a small let down, but that didn’t change my attitude.
I stopped on the side of the road and caught the traffic zoom past. Although, the drivers slowed down for me thinking I was speed control! The fact I had a hat, handbag and was wearing a dress clearly didn’t sway them – just the camera was clearly enough!
F11, iso 100, 10 second shutter
Have a happy new year reader! I hope it’s a good one for you!
JT Photography 