Love this mediation on memories, both beautiful and rotten. An important reminder that there’s nuance in life and much joy can come from challenges if you’re patient, open, and accepting.
Very well sad dear Sara! Two things can be true at the same time! And in hindsight, your most difficult challenges may be your greatest learning moments. Thank you for reading!
Karen you are the BEST. So happy to have you along on this new fun journey...exploring and learning to write is half the pleasure - even if I'll never get to your level! xoxox
What lovely (and haunting) photos. I have my own set of empty street shots from this time, and I remember getting out of the house and learning to like running (which I never thought would happen) because it was the only way to get out of my head. There were so many lessons in learning how to handle those difficult times. It's important to look back and recognize how far we've come and the progress and wisdom we've gained since then. Thank you for this post!
THANK YOU! So very much appreciate you reading along! What a time it was...lots learned. And I love that we have running in common - wish I could get back into it =).
OMG same. I ran 3-4 times/week for more than 2 years and then just... stopped haha. I have found other ways to move that bring me joy, but sometimes I miss my long runs along the quai.
//My approach to overcoming pain and discomfort—and transforming those memories into something beautiful—is not to ignore them, but to sit with them. And the only companion for that journey is solitude.//
This was a beautiful read and I can resonate many things I've done in a similar wat to overcome pain and discomfort. Embracing solitude is one of them!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and writing so eloquently, Jane 💕
Thank you, dear Shafa, for taking the time to read! I'm so glad it resonated with you. Writing is a blessing, even if I do it in my journal - but I am so grateful to take you with me on this little journey!
I will be in Paris March 31 through April 3. I’m going to visit a friend but I will be navigating the metro sometimes by myself and I’m a little nervous but then I’m so excited. I just can’t wait.
First I must say that your photos are powerful and beautiful, shocking and also serene. As a person who loves to photograph architecture, you dream of being able to get shots like this with no people on them. Until you are able to do it, but for such a disturbing reason. I fully understand why you are conflicted. It's not the photo, but the memories they evoke.
The year 2020 is conflicting for me also. The pandemic was so destabilizing and difficult. And yet, I spent much of my free time falling in love with Paris, meeting a whole new group of people (who are also much more than surface Francophiles. Call us a bit obsessed. 🤪🥰) Every week I had rosé- fueled zoom calls and group chats, french lessons, books clubs and so much more. I looked forward to meeting in person, planning return trips, and daydreaming.
We are all so much busier now. The world is so complicated. In many ways, I long for the slower days with less to do. Just not for the same reason.
You are so right, Danyel - there are so many wonderful things that this crazy period brought us - most importantly, slowing down and connecting. I am so glad it made you love Paris! I hope you continue to revisit your second home as much as possible. Especially in times like these, having a little fun escape is good for the soul! Hope to see you in Paris soon, and until then, enjoy daydreaming! xoxox Jane
Jane, wow, wow, never cease to amaze me with your wisdom and perspective and how thoughtfully you encourage me (and others) to look at a photo, circumstance, situation with a different lens - while sometimes difficult to shift when it the difficulty is or seems to continue to be present, you’re spot on about looking at / reflecting upon the situation with a fresh perspective. Thank you for helping me shift my perspective and see certain uncomfortable moments more positively - when I do, I find my optimism increases and my ability to reframe and find the lesson (that sometimes hides in frustration). I appreciate you and your suggestions, thank you for the reminders of joy, celebrating small victories, how each lesson is an opportunity for beginnings and sharing your trusted wisdom.
Marcey you are just so wonderful. I don't know if it is wisdom, but it is the little things I have learned (am still learning.) We all have difficult times - we won't be the first or the last to face a challenging period - I guess the trick is how we look at it. I'm trying to win back all those uncomfortable moments - time is so precious. THANK YOU for reading along! xoxox
Thank you, Jane. I think you’re wonderful! I’m absolutely taking into practice, little by little, the way to take some control. Your petites astuces (adding the one) I’m finding ways in my day too. Heading your stories are so relatable. Thank you for being you and all you share and how to relate are relatable, meaningful and helpful - especially reframing 🩷
This is a lovely post, despite the theme. Hard to believe it is 5 years ago! I the second lockdown m in the UK, i rediscovered art and have taken so much pleasure from it since. I started watching virtual tours from tour guides - and Paris was one of the places I sketched from virtually. It inspired me to go to Paris 2023 to sketch which was an amazing experience. I’m hoping to go back again in May and sketch again. When I need to get away from my thoughts, virtual travel sketching is my go to. Looking at photos, recreating memories in my sketchbook. 🧑🎨🇫🇷
Thank you, Catherine, for reading along! It is hard to believe that it was five years ago—time is a funny thing. I LOVE to know that you sketched Paris! One of the bright lights of this time was seeing how we can still connect, even if from a great distance. I hope you make it to Paris soon. Until then, happy virtual traveling!
Next, I have a name for my own brain when she is being méchante—I call her ✨Bitchie✨and I try varying things depending on the situation.
Sometimes she just needs a little love 🍷 and a nap, but other times I gotta give her one o those quick slaps like in the movies to help her snap out of it.
I do also remind her regularly that she is in fact not the boss of me, no matter what she might think 😂
Love your retreat concept and all the photos in this post too ❣️
Living in Europe during the pandemic was surreal. To think that it has been five years…
And cheers to solitude! I have been a practitioner of it since childhood. Sitting with ourselves in quiet is an unbelievably important way to learn and grow.
Jane, I am sorry I'm late in commenting. I wanted to read this properly because so much of it resonated with me. Of course, we all have memories from "that time" in 2020 - in March, I was in Australia trying to get home before the borders closed and simultaneously trying to make sure my parents would be ok once I left... Once I got back, the whole online teaching thing to deal with...
The 10 things you learned from sitting in pain and discomfort - I could have written that both from the perspective of someone who lived through 2020 and beyond but also coming out of traumatic brain surgery two years ago - I might not have realised it but the pandemic and all it brought just might have helped me with my own recovery from that surgery.
Your four tips are also activities I used in my recovery (and still do today).
Thank you for this perspective. Challenge can be hard but also ultimately a good thing if we can extract lessons such as yours from it.
Love this mediation on memories, both beautiful and rotten. An important reminder that there’s nuance in life and much joy can come from challenges if you’re patient, open, and accepting.
Very well sad dear Sara! Two things can be true at the same time! And in hindsight, your most difficult challenges may be your greatest learning moments. Thank you for reading!
Ain’t that the truth — and toujours, mon amie! X
Jane: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for being such a beautiful writer.
Karen you are the BEST. So happy to have you along on this new fun journey...exploring and learning to write is half the pleasure - even if I'll never get to your level! xoxox
What lovely (and haunting) photos. I have my own set of empty street shots from this time, and I remember getting out of the house and learning to like running (which I never thought would happen) because it was the only way to get out of my head. There were so many lessons in learning how to handle those difficult times. It's important to look back and recognize how far we've come and the progress and wisdom we've gained since then. Thank you for this post!
THANK YOU! So very much appreciate you reading along! What a time it was...lots learned. And I love that we have running in common - wish I could get back into it =).
OMG same. I ran 3-4 times/week for more than 2 years and then just... stopped haha. I have found other ways to move that bring me joy, but sometimes I miss my long runs along the quai.
Well…..we could always motivate each other…just saying
I’d be down to give that a try! (I’ll send you a message). 😌
//My approach to overcoming pain and discomfort—and transforming those memories into something beautiful—is not to ignore them, but to sit with them. And the only companion for that journey is solitude.//
This was a beautiful read and I can resonate many things I've done in a similar wat to overcome pain and discomfort. Embracing solitude is one of them!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and writing so eloquently, Jane 💕
Thank you, dear Shafa, for taking the time to read! I'm so glad it resonated with you. Writing is a blessing, even if I do it in my journal - but I am so grateful to take you with me on this little journey!
I will be in Paris March 31 through April 3. I’m going to visit a friend but I will be navigating the metro sometimes by myself and I’m a little nervous but then I’m so excited. I just can’t wait.
You can do it! Have a ball!
Merci beaucoup!!!!🇫🇷❤️
First I must say that your photos are powerful and beautiful, shocking and also serene. As a person who loves to photograph architecture, you dream of being able to get shots like this with no people on them. Until you are able to do it, but for such a disturbing reason. I fully understand why you are conflicted. It's not the photo, but the memories they evoke.
The year 2020 is conflicting for me also. The pandemic was so destabilizing and difficult. And yet, I spent much of my free time falling in love with Paris, meeting a whole new group of people (who are also much more than surface Francophiles. Call us a bit obsessed. 🤪🥰) Every week I had rosé- fueled zoom calls and group chats, french lessons, books clubs and so much more. I looked forward to meeting in person, planning return trips, and daydreaming.
We are all so much busier now. The world is so complicated. In many ways, I long for the slower days with less to do. Just not for the same reason.
You are so right, Danyel - there are so many wonderful things that this crazy period brought us - most importantly, slowing down and connecting. I am so glad it made you love Paris! I hope you continue to revisit your second home as much as possible. Especially in times like these, having a little fun escape is good for the soul! Hope to see you in Paris soon, and until then, enjoy daydreaming! xoxox Jane
Jane, wow, wow, never cease to amaze me with your wisdom and perspective and how thoughtfully you encourage me (and others) to look at a photo, circumstance, situation with a different lens - while sometimes difficult to shift when it the difficulty is or seems to continue to be present, you’re spot on about looking at / reflecting upon the situation with a fresh perspective. Thank you for helping me shift my perspective and see certain uncomfortable moments more positively - when I do, I find my optimism increases and my ability to reframe and find the lesson (that sometimes hides in frustration). I appreciate you and your suggestions, thank you for the reminders of joy, celebrating small victories, how each lesson is an opportunity for beginnings and sharing your trusted wisdom.
Marcey you are just so wonderful. I don't know if it is wisdom, but it is the little things I have learned (am still learning.) We all have difficult times - we won't be the first or the last to face a challenging period - I guess the trick is how we look at it. I'm trying to win back all those uncomfortable moments - time is so precious. THANK YOU for reading along! xoxox
Thank you, Jane. I think you’re wonderful! I’m absolutely taking into practice, little by little, the way to take some control. Your petites astuces (adding the one) I’m finding ways in my day too. Heading your stories are so relatable. Thank you for being you and all you share and how to relate are relatable, meaningful and helpful - especially reframing 🩷
Wonderful advice and some thought-provoking photos. Thank you.
Thank you for reading Janis! Now that I have shared them, I can see them in a whole new light!
Beautiful read ! Well done for making those memories so positive !
Merci Alisa! Something I hope to continue to do - I am sure there are still more challenges to come. Thank you for reading!
This is a lovely post, despite the theme. Hard to believe it is 5 years ago! I the second lockdown m in the UK, i rediscovered art and have taken so much pleasure from it since. I started watching virtual tours from tour guides - and Paris was one of the places I sketched from virtually. It inspired me to go to Paris 2023 to sketch which was an amazing experience. I’m hoping to go back again in May and sketch again. When I need to get away from my thoughts, virtual travel sketching is my go to. Looking at photos, recreating memories in my sketchbook. 🧑🎨🇫🇷
Thank you, Catherine, for reading along! It is hard to believe that it was five years ago—time is a funny thing. I LOVE to know that you sketched Paris! One of the bright lights of this time was seeing how we can still connect, even if from a great distance. I hope you make it to Paris soon. Until then, happy virtual traveling!
Thank you. My flights are booked 😉🧑🎨
First, you do have a « great brain. »
Next, I have a name for my own brain when she is being méchante—I call her ✨Bitchie✨and I try varying things depending on the situation.
Sometimes she just needs a little love 🍷 and a nap, but other times I gotta give her one o those quick slaps like in the movies to help her snap out of it.
I do also remind her regularly that she is in fact not the boss of me, no matter what she might think 😂
Love your retreat concept and all the photos in this post too ❣️
Living in Europe during the pandemic was surreal. To think that it has been five years…
And cheers to solitude! I have been a practitioner of it since childhood. Sitting with ourselves in quiet is an unbelievably important way to learn and grow.
Jane, I am sorry I'm late in commenting. I wanted to read this properly because so much of it resonated with me. Of course, we all have memories from "that time" in 2020 - in March, I was in Australia trying to get home before the borders closed and simultaneously trying to make sure my parents would be ok once I left... Once I got back, the whole online teaching thing to deal with...
The 10 things you learned from sitting in pain and discomfort - I could have written that both from the perspective of someone who lived through 2020 and beyond but also coming out of traumatic brain surgery two years ago - I might not have realised it but the pandemic and all it brought just might have helped me with my own recovery from that surgery.
Your four tips are also activities I used in my recovery (and still do today).
Thank you for this perspective. Challenge can be hard but also ultimately a good thing if we can extract lessons such as yours from it.