Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hide.” Use it way you’d like. Enjoy!
This is a prompt that settles right into my current life right now.
Hide. Within my own space, my own bubble, my own world. When I am outside of my home, within the world and surrounded by others, this can feel taxing on my energy.
I honor myself with me time, quiet time, in a sense hiding away from the world. But in the bigger picture, being there for me. A reset, rebalancing, aligning into my true self.
A reminder to never hide the true you, when you live an honest, true life, be proud of you.
I have also been known to ‘hide behind the camera’, my truest deepest passion in life that is for me, but also others as well. This fills my heart, into overflow whether its nature, landscapes or lifestyle with people.
So many hide behind their phones, especially when out in public. I often strive to look up and smile, rather than down in my screen. This hiding, can be a slippery slope, which I can admit with compassion I slip down. When faced with challenges in life, its easier to self abandon and escape into the online world. This hiding, is damaging to my mental health and one area I bring awareness for myself.
11:11
We often hide in life after a traumatic event, loss, heartbreak and especially grief. Key to shifting through the various stages and also gaining strength that you get to take up space too.
This topic is close to my heart having grown up in and currently residing in the same small town.
The improvement I have thought of is one of those, if I win the lottery what would I do. Our community has always been on my list.
More accessible mental health and addiction services available for those in immediate need as well as on going support.
Indoor Pool, for many years, my entire childhood, we had the local pool at the Lions Park, until covid. The pool shut down due to needing repairs and sadly has never re-opened. Funds have been being raised for another outdoor pool in a different location. Ideally, an indoor pool would be the best addition to our town for everyone year round use.
More blossoming trees and flowers within the parks and near the rivers for hobbyist photographers as well as the various aspects of nature that will be attracted like birds, butterfly’s, bees etc.
Slow down the fast tracked building thats been happening since covid as well, house prices shot up highest ever and sadly have continued to hover there.
Art Studio, this has been done a few times, much like anything space is costly, I would love to have a studio which could also be a gallery for myself and others.
More compassionate medical care that aligns with the patient and how they feel, not what a doctor presumes.
I was initially stumped because the only phone photography lately has been our daughters hockey games with family, and I don’t post that here. Its honestly truly filled my heart, the past weekend was filled with hockey and family for 3 days! We are so blessed with how many came out to support our girl and cheer on her and her team. It was wonderful! A moment I captured as she joined her dad and granpa at the glass watching another team playing. Its moments like these, just take the picture. Our phones have truly become the most convenient point and shoot for the memories <3
I may not have been posting on my blog, I have had my camera in hand. This past weekend our daughter played 5 hockey games over 3 days winning the GOLD medal game for their series. Pulling on my heart strings, knowing this is our last winter with a kid in minor hockey – where has the time gone. There were so many moments I remember feeling so incredibly overwhelmed with two little ones, I am truly so grateful our family is who they are!
I haven’t been on here much, my mind has been consumed with some [very positive] changes at work and some other unknowns in life that have my attention. This past weekend, with hockey filling almost every moment – if I wasn’t at the arena I was working on photos from the 5 games! Yesterday, was a long afternoon/evening with one of our kids in the city, I am a country girl to her heart and soul, so it can feel very challenging for me going deep into the big city. A reminder to myself, triggers are quite real and can hit you when you thought you were stronger, and its ok to ask for help.
Driving in, the temperatures dropped, drastically from 19 down to 8, as we entered the city fog.
March went out like a lion with another wicked storm, an early morning storm had me awake since 230am with an incredibly intense sound and light show with the thunder, lightening and heavy rain. 9 years ago our basement flooded, although I know our home is now safe, its a concern that instantly wakes me.
Perhaps this timing is how things are to unfold, with another day tomorrow with our other child. The past handful of years has really had me in fight or flight, at times to extremes. Today, April 1st is what some refer to as the true new year. The Year of the Horse officially arrived earlier and tomorrow/tonight is a full moon.
Allow the energy to carry you through, no matter what you may face, trust in each moment that you are being held.
If you are curious about the Lens-Artists challenge check out the link above under my Photography resources. I am truly grateful for this challenge that pulls my creative drive forward to re-ignite. A reminder to immerse myself within something that feels timeless, during times that feel heavy.
“This week, we will explore this cognitive phenomenon, showcasing how the absence of color can often create a deeper, more personal perception. That is this week’s challenge: seeing color in black and white.” Egidio
The images Ive chosen to share are deep within nature, in the forest of trees and snow. I instantly thought of this photo ride, as many of the images in a monochrome processing, resemble colour so much for me. The deep green of the trees with the blanket of snow.
Within a moment in life, this is where I am immersing myself – although I cannot physically do that today, when my energy deeply needs it, I could get out for a walk with my dog and enjoy the images.
I hope you enjoyed my perspective of this weeks challenge. These photos feel special for me, being out in nature when my mind felt overwhelmed, seeing them again reminds me you can find your strength in the quiet and calm.
Egidio shares, “Next week, Tina will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:”
I am grateful I found the Lens-Artists Challenge last year, it is especially in this in between ‘season’ of winter ending and spring easing in, its still cold, wet, dark and dreary, I appreciate the creative spark to ignite.
I am proud of myself for keeping my weekly Thoughtful Thursday blog post continuing. Even when my mind has been very consumed and the down time Ive had has been relaxing.
Life has been life-ing and it can be interesting at times. Just went you think you are shifting The Universe has other plans which can feel heavy. My capacity over the past 6 years has been tested to such high levels. My deepest, greatest desire is for all to live a beautiful, simple, healthy and happy life – whatever that means to everyone.
The energy this week to begin with has felt very heavy, actually the past couple weeks. Leading up to the new moon yesterday, it still felt heavy today, however the collective energy feels like its finally loosening its grip after an intense shared energy. Even talking to others they could feel it in some way in their life.
I am proud of myself for being brave and trusting. Trusting in me, to be led in the correct direction with strength and passion. Courage to speak my truth and embrace those within my life. Rather than retreat, well that it necessary, what isn’t is feeling alone. Retreat to your loved ones, such a beautiful message. Trusting.
A flock of swans flying over my house earlier this week, the only reason I saw them is because our bin fell over in the strong winds and I am assuming was on the road as it was laying against our mailbox post. I stopped my vehicle and got out to move the bin back to the house and as I was walking up our driveway I heard a noise I hadn’t heard before at our place. When I looked up I was in complete awe, a flock of swans? Yes, a flock of swans! It was a passing opportunity, thankfully I had my purse on me, quick grab of my phone and captured a couple images!
I looked up the spiritual meaning of a flock of swans.
“A flock of swans carries powerful spiritual meanings of transformation, grace, fidelity, and the soul’s journey, often symbolizing a transition toward higher consciousness, purity, and profound inner beauty. Their presence suggests a need for calm intuition and deep love in relationships, guiding individuals to navigate life’s emotional currents gracefully”, notes Parlour of Wonders.
When the universe sends you the calm before what feels like the storm.
The new astrological new year begins tomorrow, with the spring equinox.
“The 2026 astrological new year (March 20) initiates a powerful “hard reset” and a new 9-year cycle (Universal Year 1), shifting focus from 2025’s reflection to proactive, fiery Aries energy. It emphasizes taking initiative, personal truth, and tangible action to build a new, authentic reality, moving from passive dreaming to active creation.” online source
Our snow is almost gone, again, spring will soon be upon us. I am looking forward to getting out with my camera. Although before that happens we have a couple hockey weekends left, that will fill my heart for years to come!
One of the images I shared in my Lens-Artists post yesterday, was a gravel road reflection of the trees in water. Its incredible how it shifts when transformed into monochrome black and white. I just love the moodiness of the photo.
Anne poses a great theme for this week, Time to Relax! Anne shared with us that its been months since she has been able to get out to ‘relax’ with her camera and capture some incredible photos at botanical gardens, after a fall. I can relate, although not a senior, I fell twice last year and it really did challenge my comfort level and ignited a level of fear in me that I am working through personally.
Anytime I think about relaxing, 9 times out of 10 it does involve my camera as well – whether its out taking photos or processing on my computer, doing blog posts to share my photography – its all so relaxing to me. Once the weather gets nice, this portion of my relaxing also involves being out in nature outside working on these things – deep gratitude for technology that can follow us!
Monday evening, my husband suggested I go for a drive with him, he knew my mind has been on overload for a while with some changes and since hitting the worst grief of my life, the end of 2024, I can hit overwhelm pretty quickly, so its key to recognize this and shift so I don’t sink. I instantly resisted, I need to do this, I need to do that, its not even that nice out… Him offering to take me on a photo tour is what I needed to relax my mind, instantly. Especially when if I begin to get in that overwhelm feeling, I may not see it as clearly. I am grateful he saw this.
Being out in the warm sun, blue skies and fresh air with my camera is what I needed! A little creative reset, that still astonishes me, even a quick outing of 15-30 min and my soul feels the reset.
There is such peace to be found in nature, at least for me it is. The clouds above, look so whimsical and almost like they are painted on! This is what nature helps me do, focus on this beauty, whether the big or small picture of the wilderness.
2026 should be the year of igniting the passion in your heart, what is a hobby that you feel pulled to begin or do more? Even in the thaw of spring, its dirty, messy, but still… nature is beautiful!
I just love how whispy the clouds are, from the clouds to the water in the field, it all brings so much peace to my being. Like taking in a nice deep breath!
The reflection and shadows within the water on the road, brings forth a peace, relaxation immersed within the image.
The irony actually as I typing this, I am listening to the audio book of Atomic Habits, I was given the Atomic Habits Workbook recently, it was like a beautiful divine intervention, the universe knowing I needed something to begin to get me back on track. Its easy to slip into the to-do away from the being state, this is when I feel the overwhelm and everything feels challenging. Perhaps also why my right side is experiencing pain and discomfort, the masculine side of the body, the doing side, reminding me to lean more into the feminine side of my energy, to be, gentle, and attentive.
This short drive, although before we left I was reviewing in my head all that I “had to do”, when we got home, what I wanted to do – process my photos – was top of my list… FOR me <3
I hope you enjoyed my share of my recent “relax” photo tour. Just 6 days ago, this trail was snow covered and open for the snowmobile trails! Mother Nature is incredible and also, wild!
As we were on our tour, we stopped near the little school house on the bridge over the river. The river was completely swollen and was absolutely wild. As we pulled up, I pulled out my camera, it was dead… I knew that would most likely happen, I even told myself, grab your other camera this one wont do it, when in that overwhelm its far too easy to ignore yourself, which is what I did. However in the big picture, I am grateful I got out with my phone, as I captured pictures and video. I don’t normally do video’s on my camera, personally that’s just not for me. So my most favourite photos from our tour, were a few quick ones from my phone that I shared in my Thursday Thoughts Photos and Words post!
To finish this off, with our boy Gunner who knows the exact meaning of Relax and embraces it full whole heartedly!
This prompt feels timely as a wonderful reminder for me. We had friends over last night for dinner who we hadn’t seen in a bit and the ladies went for a walk before dinner. The sun was shining bright, it was beautifully crisp but perfect walking weather. Something I have been wanting to do, get out and walk but hadn’t had the pull or inspiration – in full honesty, since falling last year, the beginning of the year and hitting my head and then the end of the year slipping on ice and going down on my leg – I have let fear direct me far too much.
Today, after our wonderful walk last night – even on some slippery parts of the road – I am proud of me, it was a great opportunity to catch up and the exercise felt awesome – I am off to look at hiking boots today, so that I can feel confident walking outside when its not dry weather.
The other thing I am consciously doing is ensuring I start our diffusers each morning, scent is so powerful and when I found the benefits of essential oils, my soul felt instantly aligned. Some of my favourites are citrus, especially wild orange – its my fav! Sometimes this means starting it 2-3 times a day, however its well worth it to help calm or boost.
This weekend was a great reminder for me, although I was also tackling some of my to-do list for some pertinent work things for a shift we are making, I hit some frustrations and leaning on some yoga movements, journaling, photography, red light therapy and music – are also key pieces of handling challenging negative feelings.
One other thing I use to help shift negative feelings and energy is with energy work, I personally love to work with a pendullum or simply Reiki with my hands. Our bodies can talk to us, when we allow ourselves to listen, and when we experience pain and discomfort, many times it can be our energy body is out of alignment in certain areas or more specifically chakras.
Theres nothing like a Friday night, cuddled up on the couch with a warm blanket, good drink and a good show on. Thats my plan for this evening and Im stoked about it. I always browse through my wordpress reader when doing so, I love catching up on such beautiful photography.
Today we woke to winter again… well it began yesterday but today, its like winter never left. Unreal when days ago there was intense flooding in some areas.
This is our view now, accumulated snow. Its been snowing on and off all day, at times intense whiteouts. Tonight is the perfect night to chill in the comforts of home. Especially when I love my space so much.
The daily writing prompt grabbed my attention when I first logged onto the site, What Movies or TV Series Have You Watched More Than 5 Times?
Hands down… Friends!
We have watched Friends over and over and over again. Its such a great background, always a good laugh show.
Dinner tonight, with an appetizer of nachos in the air fryer while prepping our chicken ceasar smashed taco wraps – they were delicious! Quick and very high in protein!
A quiet Friday night also helps reset my mind from the week, my brain has felt like its been on overdrive for a few weeks now, mentally. The to-do list is still there, however taking a rest evening, will allow for even more productivity!
