An introverts day out

Last weekend I went to London. A solo trip. The purpose was to see an old friend who recently turned fifty. She is a fellow introvert. Before arriving I was able to have some time in London to wander and view art. I was able to spend time and rub my eyes on the world. In return the world wrote on my soul.

When I was a little girl it was frowned upon that I couldn’t wait to get to the gift shop when I visited a gallery or museum. This time I let my inner child choose the agenda and headed straight to the gift shop. I let her choose the cards that she wanted and a new book to draw in. I let myself say ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’.

I booked a ticket for the Royal Academy Summer Show. I had never been before. I always try and scope out the smaller stuff and this one is HUGE. So much to rub my eyes on and I was buoyed up on colour and form and the JOY of being surrounded by so much creativity and so many people fuelled by it.

I wandered around Piccadilly, window shopping in the finest boutiques, marvelling at the riches within. I stopped and photographed some amazing buildings. I wrote notes in my phone when something struck me, an idea, a connection to follow up on later.

The next day I walked along the Southbank. I have always loved that stretch of the river and the vista it gives of London. I saw live music, I watched people, I went in Southbank Printmakers Gallery and Bankside Art Gallery. I looked at books (I had set a rule not to buy any!). I found the wandering so much more conducive to forming ideas for new work and new courses than trying to sit down and write at my desk. The day reminded me that you cannot pour from an empty cup and that feeding your creative soul is so necessary to get into creative flow.

Doing the visits to galleries alone I was able to follow my own nose. I bought myself postcards, I sat and wrote, I was able to get in touch with myself in a way that I haven’t for a while. I have returned with a dinted bank balance and a renewed sense of purpose.

Have you had your own introverts day out recently? Where did you go? What do you get from time alone just to wander?

Thank you for reading my post. As an artist and tutor of in-person workshops, retreats and online courses with fifteen years experience sharing my ideas and techniques I know that many of our creative blocks come from the stories we have been told. Finding flow, being able to make mistakes, ditching perfection and finding joy in the process and possibilities re-kindles our connection to self and enables connection and expression through the senses. You can find out more about me and what a subscription can offer you here. If you would like to join me for a course, find me at helenhallows.com. I am in the process of adding in-person courses for the autumn to compliment my online offerings.

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