Oh come on, admit it - we all like to live in our heads more than in reality, right? Well, if you're a writer or a reader this may be true. (Or maybe it's just me...)
When I feel happy, content, and truly alive, it's when my mind is in its happy place. The first happy place is my writing/reading world. The second is my history world.
First, an explanation. Going to my happy place does not mean I retreat from reality or others around me. I don't go into some kind of weird trance and completely ignore my surroundings. Instead, my happy place is more of a mindset.
When I am deeply immersed in writing and in the writing/reading world - reading writing blogs or books or connecting with other writers or readers - I feel content, energetic, motivated, and most of all, at peace. Why? Because I am looking at the world through the lens of this happy place. Life is clearer, sharper. It makes more sense. It's the same when I'm immersed in a history project.
Today I came back from the library with a stack of books that I can't wait to read, and the bliss I felt while walking down the sidewalk (probably a little lopsided since it was a BIG stack), was incredible. All was right with the world. I wanted to go home and write or read (but of course, I couldn't due to the day job) because I wanted to be completely submerged in my art. I wanted to spend the afternoon reading Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn or Susanna Kearsley's The Winter Sea with my cats at my feet. I wanted to write my novel and enjoy the process instead of dreading it.
In short, when I'm in my happy places, anything is possible. I don't think about my shoddy health or the bills that have to be paid or the appointments I have to keep. All that stuff matters, but it doesn't matter a bit when my mind is set on what I love to do.
It's been this way for as long as I can remember. From my first days as a writer, I still have fond memories that conjure up a state of happiness. The same can be said for my love of history. The two loves - history and writing - are so closely entwined that I come to think of them as the same sometimes.
This all boils down to one thing: these happy places represent my passions. I am at home here.
And like they say, there's no place like home.
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What a lovely post! I know that feeling too, immersed in some precious moment where all is well. I especially realize it when I'm brought back to reality, so to speak, and the time has flown. All I can do is smile, and thank God for that gift.
ReplyDeleteI like how you put it, Anna. It IS a gift, isn't it? :)
DeleteI like that - 'my happy place'! I'm with you on the reading and writing. Bringing home a pile of library books is like opening gifts on Christmas morning. Just looking at them makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteMy other 'happy place' is taking deliciously beautiful fabric/s and creating something: Quilts, homewares, gifts or garments. There's just not enough hours in the day to do it all!
But aren't we blessed to have these happy places?
We are blessed indeed, J.T.! I would love to see some pictures of your quilts!
DeleteI love being in my happy writing place. I can't imagine not writing or being able to drift off into my mindset that takes me to different eras and into the lives of various characters.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. My life would be so empty without it!
Delete"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading." Logan Pearsall Smith. hehe
ReplyDeleteLOL. So true!
DeleteYou know, for years I've tried to put into words what you just perfectly expressed here. I never quite got it right; I love that your writing here so connects with me! "Looking through the world through the lens of this happy place" - ah, deep sigh.
ReplyDeleteMy happy places are writing/reading and visiting beautiful places (preferably wildly beautiful places and preferably on horseback but visiting a new town or even a new shop can give me that happy feeling too). And then there's happiness when I'm touch with my God, when he shows me something... so cool.
Pinterest kind of gets me a "cheater" feel for my happy places during short breaks at work :-)
Ahh...Pinterest. I am addicted to that site. :)
DeleteI, too, experience such a supreme amount of happiness and peace when I'm in touch with God - it's amazing and miraculous!