May 12 2008
Newly Defined Mentalacation
Photo by Brian Moynihan
Sometimes, right in the middle of a project, we suddenly feel stuck. Our excitement and endless energy seem to have dissipated. Our ideas stop flowing and we wonder what to do next. Well, the best thing to do in that situation is take a mentalacation (Webster, I’ve got a new one for you! Mentalacation will be defined as a mental vacation for the creatively stressed out).
Think back to one of your favorite times in life. Close your eyes and pull up a mental picture of that place. Let yourself sink into the moment. Try to grab hold of the smells, sounds and feelings in that happy place. Stay there as long as you like and then when you open your eyes try to bring that calm, that happy energy to your work.
Right now, I’d like to be in Acadia National Park in Maine standing with my husband at this lake we found while hiking; it felt as though we’d discovered the lake hidden among the trees. The water was like glass; a perfect reflection of the sky. There was silence and beauty and a moose that followed us as we hiked down. It was like life – stumbling along a path with little direction in awe of the beauty, frightened and exhilarated at the sight of this enormous moose and sad when it all came to an end. In that moment by the lake, in the quiet stillness, there was peace.
Where is your happy place?
I’d ike to be at the “ROCK” in Central Park with all my old buddies….Some of you on this site will know what I mean…. 40′zzzzz
I think I’d like to be at my friend’s house on the beach in Montauk. She’s sold it now, but that place and that time was probably the most free that I’ve ever felt.
We used to go out there all the time to relax and/or create. And I was teaching at the time, so I could go out there weeks at a time when I was on break, and not worry about making more money, or taking care of kids (because it was before kids) or if I had something I had to get done at home. I was also old enough to know who I was and what I wanted and not be insecure. Confident to just go for it.
All that seems to be about a state of mind, but the waves rolling in yards from the front door helped, and the sea air, sunsets, the fireplace in the cooler months, and the camaraderie… and the frozen mudslides.
I love that you bring yourself to Maine for mentalacation!
I’d like to be lying on Ferry Beach in Scarborough, ME with my feet in the soft sand and just listening to the waves coming and going with a soft breeze blowing across my face while watching the clouds move across the sky.
Id have to agree with Rowena & say, Long Island. My parents house in the North Fork, on the back deck. (Id post yall a pick right now if i could.) I was just there this weekend and it was glorious. The Fresh, fresh air. The scent of the water nearby, the view of the creek behind the house and the woods all around. The sound of the leaves and nature and nothing else. Combine that with some fresh seafood and local wine.
Although the rock in Central Park with a 40 sounds VERY appealing and brings back a ton of memories…I must go with the beach. There is very little that I enjoy more than taking a nap on the beach. The sun, the waves, the sound of laughing children. It is heaven to me.
Also, I was thinking the other day…now that I have a kid, will I ever get to sleep on the beach again?
John….the rock brings such memories….I thought of walking across the frozen lake. Crazy! Good times!
Rowena and Jen I agree with the Long Island thing….I love it there. I can hear the waves right now….Judy and Claire you were on the money with the beach…..ah…heaven. I SO want to go now!
Claire - I think nap on the beach days might be done for awhile…sigh