Sometimes you need to just get started.

Karens notes sketchnote

Karens notes sketchnoteSometimes you need to just get started.

And sometimes you need to just stop.

Last week I spent five days on the Isle of Mull. It’s my favourite place of rest, of beauty, of refreshment, of quiet and peace.

And although I told myself I would simply sit by the fire and read books and not even go outside….I still went out. I went for long walks through green fields, by the coast, on the beach.

One walk took me four hours round the north west coast, and I stopped partway through to warm up with a cup of hot tea in my handy mug (one of many swag items from the Quickbooks connect event in San Jose last year). When I took a picture, it struck me that it looked like one of those “inspiring quote” photos, or a stock image you pick to include with your email or social post.

It’s a great message, and absolutely you sometimes need to stop faffing about and get things done. Just start.

But it’s also equally true that sometimes you need to just stop.

Stop rushing, stop hurrying, stop doing all the things and just sit. Sit with your cup of tea or your new book or the twinkling stars or your kids or the sea or nothing at all. Maybe think about all you’re doing and whether you’re overdoing it… maybe think about something you really want to achieve and what’s preventing you…. maybe don’t think too hard at all.

No matter what, the stopping will help you go forward too. It may help you start something. It may show you what you need to stop. And it may just be good for your soul.

 

P.s. here’s the actual photo!

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ON THE GRAM

It is here. 

#autumn #fallingleaves #hikingboots #beautyineveryseason #seasonchange #september
Wild swimming time! 

I’ve been through Glencoe many a time but never stopped for a wild swim yet and today was the day! Bright sunshine (and getting super warm on even a short walk across the hills), so a dip in the cool highland water was exactly what we needed. 

We found a little mini canyon where no one else happened to be so we had it all to ourselves! Always love that - some of the “highland hot spots” can get so crowded especially on a sunny day. 

I’ll be going here again and hiking a bit further on a new trail we explored! 💪👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨

(Ps no I didn’t get my full mile of lap swimming in today tho 😆😆 it was tough to put my whole head underwater for more than a second or two even on a blazingly warm day!!)

#wildswimming #glencoe #highlands #scotland #sunshine #roadtrip