April – Outside

Publishing this blog post a little later than I would’ve liked, but that’s life. I’ve written some snippets throughout April, little notes on life and things I’ve read. Now taking a moment on a quiet Friday morning to write, reread and bring them together.

April was a good month (writing this makes me realise I started the March blog post almost the same way. Two good months in a row, lucky me!). It was sunny, we had a few holidays and I’ve seen lots of friends and family. Harry has also done a great job working on my website! There’s now a language switch and a work section to showcase some of my previous work. Have a look around if you’re interested.

The sunshine and warmer weather means that I’m spending a lot more time outdoors. Seeing everything grow in my garden makes me so happy. We finally managed to seed some grass. That was way harder than expected. Harry is so excited, he’s checking and watering it everyday. I’m checking my sage that’s grown from a tiny little plant into a little bush. Planning to eat lots of pasta with crispy sage this summer.

I also started running again. After I sprained my ankle in January, I took about 11 weeks just resting and exercising my foot gently. Then I decided it was time to get back into it. Routes that I found easy 3 months ago, I’m struggling with now. It’s frustrating. But - I’m trying to not let that get to me. Although my heart rate is up and I can’t run as easily as before, I’m so grateful to be able to move my body again in this way. It makes me feel good. Even when the run is hard, I feel so much better afterwards. Better mood, clearer mind. I’m trying to be humble, tapping into beginner’s mind, celebrating the little wins. Like managing to run 7km, when the week before I was struggling with 5. I’m getting there. The half marathon is coming up. I don’t know if I’m going to run it. It depends on how quickly I can progress over the next few weeks. But I’m trying not to stress about. I don’t have to prove anything. I’ll see if I feel up for it, when it comes to it, trying to focus on the present, not worrying about something in the future.

I think the running and time spent outdoors makes me more sleepy. In a good way! I’m feeling so tired every night that I’m not making any progress with my book (currently SAS Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre). I might manage two pages, last night it wasn’t even half a page, before my eyes fell shut.

At the end of the month, I traveled to Germany to celebrate my aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary and to welcome all the new arrivals. Time in Germany can feel strange—it’s not quite a holiday, since I used to live there and often still work while I’m visiting. It can also feel overwhelming. There’s never enough time to see everyone, and that can make me quite sad at times. But reconnecting with friends is always a recharge. Hamburg in the sun is also the best place to be. Catching up, holding my friends’ new babies, eating pizza by the Alster. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Read this and slow down

Harry shared this article “The disease of more” by Richard and I really enjoyed reading it.

Richard talks about how our modern lives are overwhelmed by excess — of information, activity, and choices, believing that more is always better. Tools like the news, that are meant to inform us, often end up consuming and distorting our reality. He concludes that “The way forward isn’t more, it’s less. Less news, less noise, less busyness, less mindless communication, fewer endless choices. More slowness, more presence, more clarity. Only by stepping back can we reclaim our minds, be ourselves—and be free.”

A great reminder to slow down a little, put your phone away and just be present for a moment. Highly recommend reading the full post.