Freelance Writer
“Adventure is the discovery of the self, it is both feared and desired.” – Joseph Campbell In these times of restricted movement, it’s good to remember that travel is not just about the places you go. Although unique cultures and natural beauty are worthy of our attention, there is always a common denominator in your experience…
“I feed the pigeons, I sometimes feed the sparrows too, it gives me a sense of ENORMOUS well-being” – Blur – Parklife A momentary burst whips my attention, particles dispersing in a brief explosion before returning to their centre as if pulled back by the sharp inhale of gravity or a length of bungee cord.…
Not every day can be like this, unfortunately. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. We are still locked down and Claremorris hasn’t drifted any further towards the sea, so I’m still reminiscing on pre-Level 5 surfing days. The sunny respite today from this strange series of storms reminds me of one of my last day’s…
The waves were big today. Carrowniskey – Ceathrú an uisce – is Irish for ‘washing machine’. This isn’t true, but it’s what comes to mind any time I think of this beach. It lies out on the far fringes of west Mayo, where an uneven and shallow beach receives a large and unpredictable swell. The relentless onward…
“One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Yesterday I talked about one often-overlooked tool we have for maintaining our mental health, perspective on the world, and sanity: small-talk. Being alone is seen by many as a bad thing, and there has been much recent psychological research…
Photo by Juri Gianfrancesco on Unsplash Here we go again So we’re facing into the strictest of lockdowns, and it’s just been announced that we’re not allowed to visit each other’s houses. We’re not even allowed (legally? No-one knows) step into our neighbour’s or our friend’s garden. You can practice anything, including being alone. And…
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” – Some guy I’ve only heard this saying recently, even though it sounds like the most Irish thing anyone could ever say. Except, when you think about it, it isn’t, because nobody in Ireland has suitable clothing, and the…
The country’s going into lockdown again, a glitch in the normal progression of time. I went for a morning walk around the lake and it seemed like everyone is out preparing for it. It might be just in my head – polluted by the news – but everyone’s stride seems to take on an extra…
Your first few attempts at something new are not always enjoyable, even if it’s something you really want to do. It might take a bit of practice before you even get to a point where you can call yourself a ‘Beginner’. But the feeling is worth it when you get there.
This is going to be the first of a series of articles about books that have inspired me, influenced me or otherwise entertained me over the last few years. The first one is Flow by Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi.