Hello dear reader!
Welcome to another issue of this newsletter. This week I’m writing from the mountains. A change from the regular schedule.
I’m in San Martino di Castrozza, a beautiful Italian town in the Dolomites, and a welcome change of scenery -from streets to forest, big rock walls, and snow. This is a beautiful place in earth, not only because of nature, but especially because of the Italian warmth.
I’m, in what’s become a yearly tradition, ski trip with my wife and friends. A great scape from the routine, and my favorite way to enjoy the winter: Skiing.
You may ask, what does my holidays have to do with creativity? The answer: more than you think. Being out of my regular routine allows me to identify other subjects. Forces my eyes to see things in a different way. And having time, away from work, and without thinking on something specific allows my mind to reset.
While skiing, I only focus on the task at hand: the next turn, look out for other skiers, stop, go, that’s it. It’s an activity that provides room for my brin to relax while my body takes control, makes the next turn, and moves by muscle memory.
In some way, it’s similar to photography, where some decisions are made by second nature. Anticipate the moment to take a photo, adjust settings whiteout looking at the camera, look for the light. That kind of decisions that are made in the split of a second -where having a well trained, and rested mind helps.
Being out in the mountains also helps to put things in perspective. That bug, deadline, or urgent meeting, might not look that urgent or big when I’m surrounded by mountains that have been around for thousands of years. Nature has a way to remind us that the things we deem urgent, might not be that urgent as just to enjoy the moment. I love being out there.
Do you have any activity that helps you put things into perspective? What is it? If not, give it a try, go out for a walk, to the beach, or mountains.
Luis