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As the COP 26 Climate Conference comes to a close, it can be daunting to try and work out what we can do as individuals to actually make a difference. I’ve been thinking a lot about the small changes we can make to be more sustainable and create a more positive future for our children.
As I found on my recent four-day course at the Newlyn School of Art, you never stop learning with art! I’ve never formally studied art or art history, having spent 26 years as an Engineer before changing career 10 years ago. I can certainly say that my learning curve has been steep and challenging at times but so rewarding and enjoyable too!
As the children go back to school, my mind turns to the last quarter of the year – what I’d still like to achieve in 2021 and looking ahead to how 2022 might pan out.
Some say that September is the new January and I really feel like it’s a time of new beginnings – especially this year as we’re able to be with more people we may not have seen for a long time. With just a quarter of the year left, it concentrates the mind into thinking of what’s really important to achieve now and what will be good to plan into 2022.
Having been mostly shut away from social contact for more than a year, I was surprised recently by how much I enjoyed meeting up with friends and family around my birthday and neighbours at village events.
Like many of us, I’d been a tortoise and retracted into my shell with very few gatherings, holidays and coffee catch-ups to look forward to. As an extrovert, I take energy from being around other people and enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas, so I should have known that I couldn’t take the tortoise approach for much longer!
For those of us that have had big birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and special holidays postponed during the pandemic, it’s time to catch up on the fun!
I planned a whole year of new experiences for my 50th birthday in 2020 and we’re coming to the end of that year but there are so many new art experiences that I didn’t manage to complete. So I’m extending my ‘50th year of new experiences’ past my 51st birthday (and maybe beyond)!
My family know me well and are happy for me to suggest art experiences that will thrill and challenge me. There’s not much material ‘stuff’ I need now so I definitely think that experience gifts are the way to go. And here’s why:
