By the time you’re reading this I will just be coming to the end of a week off, it was time to recharge the batteries. And using some of the contacts I’ve made over the last few weeks at networking groups means that I’ve been able to hire a virtual P.A. to check my emails for me, to allow me a complete break from work rather than keeping attuned morning and night to make sure that I’m not ignoring anyone.
It’s far from a break is it when you have to keep track of your emails, it means you can never fully switch off. I have a friend who when he goes away, despite having business partners, travels with two laptops and makes sure at the end of each day he checks and answers any emails; so a part of his brain is always switched on rather than relaxing. It’s the first time I’ve ever had a P.A. and there’s a little part of me that hopes people do require answers to emails whilst I’m away so people will read P.A. at the bottom of the message, yes I know, a wee bit egotistical!
So with all this time to myself I sat down and wrote a list of all the things that I’d like to do and I am going to work my way through them. My camera will come along for the ride on most of them, I’d feel a bit odd going off to places without it. Thanks to the Queen and her jubilee, the timing of my holiday means I get an extra two days at the end due to the bank holidays, and weather dependent I’m going to get in a day at the cricket to watch my beloved team play a county match. I’ve not been to the cricket in a couple of years and I miss it.
I’m also being a bit crafty by taking a holiday. I know from previous experience that as soon as I relax my creativity increases tenfold. Ideas seem to come up every time I stop concentrating on work so I will have a large notepad with me at the cricket and wherever else I am. Maybe it’s because all the hobbies I like to do are creative, such as cooking, drawing, walk in the countryside, exploring in the car where roads go to with unusual sound names. It helps to revive and refresh my thoughts. And I am so looking forward to finding out what new ideas are lurking in the recesses of my brain.
So no doubt as you are reading this there will be steam coming out of my computer as I put all new plans into action. And do you know what is nice? Using the computer for things other than work and not feeling guilty! If you are taking some time off to keep you sane, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and it brings you everything that you would wish for!
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Living in the beautiful rural county of Yorkshire it was perhaps natural for Ruth to have an affinity with the countryside and its wildlife. Creativity is Ruth’s driving force finding an outlet in television & radio she worked for many years as producer for BBC & ITV.
However a love of photography and for being surrounded by nature called her to go back to her photography training and bring pleasure and joy to people through her connection with our planet.
Staying in the moment when taking her images allows her to experience the natural magnificence unfolding before her eyes. It is this moment of mediation, of gratitude, that she evocatively conveys through her images.