Summer is the time of year when the majority of people leave behind their home, their regular routines and schedules, and spend some time away to recharge and relax. We travel or go on vacation (important distinction). But, what is it about going away that we enjoy so much? Is it exploring a new place? Is it a form of escapism? It is probably a combination of both. In this blogpost I will talk about my personal experience, how I think a change of scenery every now and then improves creativity, and why I believe it is good for your mental health.
I believe I speak for a lot of people when I say that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as taking a break from work, school, a daily recurring routine, and setting off on a trip to a new, exciting (or relaxing) place. As you get into the car, board the plane, train, or boat, you already feel tension slipping away, your shoulders drop, and a sigh of relief escapes you. The worries and anxieties of your regular life cease to matter for a while, and during your time away everything seems a bit brighter, a bit more special. There’s a certain kind of magic to it, even if it’s only a brief sojourn. It’s a feeling I long for every year, and whenever the first warm and sunny days can be marked off the calendar I already feel the butterflies of a prospective trip swarm within me.
However, as I mentioned in my previous post, I’m staying at home this summer. And, although it’s for a good reason, I’ll admit to being slightly disappointed. It would also be unrealistic of me to say that I spent the past month in a most productive or creative way. In the first part of ‘A Summer at Home Diaries’ I listed all the things I was planning to do to keep myself busy and enjoy this prolonged time that I would be spending at home, and, though I have been reading and writing, I’ll confess to also having wasted a lot of my summer so far on, well, absolutely nothing. But, reflecting on this led me to wonder why this has made me feel so bad about myself? After all, I think we can all agree that summer is supposed to be the time to take it easy, to recharge for the approaching autumn. And, thinking about it now, I believe the reason for feeling guilty has a lot to do with what this series is about: I’m at home.
Recently I was reminiscing about the summer of two years ago, when I went to Germany with my family and I spent every morning writing on the balcony of our apartment. I absolutely adored that balcony. It lay sheltered from the sun, always cool no matter the temperature of the day, and it looked out on a road along which a variety of houses stood, of an old-fashioned East-German style as well as modern ones, new and shiny. The view of the town was bordered by hills, green and lush with an occasional house sitting amongst the trees, and from a distance the sound of a church bell would come to join the chirping of birds with another sweet melody. Looking back, I realize my productivity on those summer mornings was likely due to being in a new place with new impressions, where I felt at ease, and where I was able to turn a secluded balcony into a visually stimulating writing space.
This summer, however, I’m still in the same environment where not long ago I was submerged in a consistent routine of classes, exams, and library sessions, which has now been put on pause. What I’m trying to say is that I’ve been finding it hard to get into a more creative routine when the spaces I’m in are typically used otherwise. I’m not sure if this is a common issue that a lot of people struggle with or if you can’t relate to me at all and think I should just stop whining and get on with it. Perhaps you’re right. That being said, I do strongly believe that a change of environment has a positive impact on your creativity, as new impressions can be a great source of inspiration and the typically recurring distractions of daily life are removed. That, at least, has been my own experience in past years and something I have been craving since the very first days of the summer season. Now it turns out that it’s difficult to recreate this experience (that’s kind of like a cheat code, now that I think about it) at home. But, with the last couple months of summer ahead of me, I will continue to try and achieve the worry-free mind that allows me to enter the creative workflow I’ve been desperately grasping for.
The last point I’ve been meaning to touch on is the strain that the idleness of the past weeks has put on my mental health. I’m someone who draws a lot of validation from work, whether it’s professional, creative, or related to uni, and I tend to not feel content with my day unless I have accomplished something in one way or another. Although some might consider this an admirable quality, it makes it difficult to actually relax whenever I’m supposed to enjoy a break from my usual deadlines and other responsibilities. I always feel like there’s something I should be doing, working on, or creating. So, when I fail to do so, I feel terrible. However, away from home this pressure ceases to weigh me down and I seem to find a freedom of mind that allows me to create, write, with ease.
Anyway, all I really wanted to convey is why I love going on vacation, and, as usual, I’ve rambled on for way longer than necessary. So, to end on a high note, I’m determined to pick myself up again and make the most of the remaining weeks of summer. And, I wish the last days of our summer will be the loveliest yet.
Comments