002: A Reminder to Pause
Embracing discomfort to move forward.
“In attempting to capture the scenes and feelings of a tumultuous year, I found myself learning to appreciate life’s changes, no matter how unexpected, as they unfolded before me.”
-Roberto Johnson, ‘A Sense of Place’
I consider “A Sense of Place” to be a period piece. The familiar signs and feelings of a not-so-distant past that consumed our everyday lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of great suffering for our world. Collectively, we experienced fear, uncertainty, and tremendous loss. In fact, recent studies suggest that we are still reeling from a public mental health crisis three years later. Our lives were forever changed in one way or another.
Revisiting Roberto Johnson’s zine has been an eye-opening experience in many ways. It has felt like entering a time machine and being placed directly in the year 2020. That’s the sign of a great writer and storyteller. In reflecting on Johnson’s zine, the quote I referenced felt especially relevant to where I’m at in this current moment in life. It remained in the back of my mind, so I decided to interrogate my thoughts a bit further.
Change can be incredibly difficult to reconcile with, and hard times can appear to last for an eternity, but I’m beginning to accept these moments for what they are: learning experiences. I’m at the place in my life where I’d rather embrace the discomfort than mask it or even attempt to hide from it. So how do I suggest going about this in a practical way? Well, I’ve decided to pause and reassess.
Taking a pause feels impractical at times. It’s difficult to step off the hamster wheel, but it is necessary. This helpful article on Wondermind not only encourages us to identify these moments, but it also teaches us how to express them with the people in our lives— whether it be an employer or a loved one.
I also recommend taking up journaling. My entries are (intentionally) incoherent at times. Maybe I’ll explain that in detail some time. In short, parsing through these “chaotic” entries helps me put the puzzle pieces together more effectively. But, do what works best for you. Here is a starter guide on effective ways to journal. I hope it helps! Feel free to share any tips you might have as well. Thanks for reading.
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-Trey