From the fields (or: from my childhood)

One of those days spent in Poland we went to the fields to buy some strawberries, freshly picked up in the early morning. They were the last in season and once we get to the place, I could feel their sweet smell filling up the air. Although it was very hot, I didn't feel like going stright back home. I spontaneously decided to have a walk and I let myself run into the fields, surrounding the suburbian area where my parents live. The fields where we played and rode bicycles when we were children. So many memories came back to me.

Corner View #13

Theme: "places of worship or reflection: a place you can go and just be."

For the last few days I've been thinking hard about my place of reflection in Genoa but nothing comes to my mind. This makes me realize that I don't really have this special place where I could go to be just with myself and my thoughts. I haven't found one yet. These days I don't get too many chances to be alone; I'm a full time mommy and I guess I could have some “me time” during weekends when C. is at home but I don’t really want to. Weekends are this precious time when we all can fully enjoy each other and our little family.

But this doesn’t mean that I don’t need a moment of reflection. In fact, I’m one of those people who truly enjoy their own company only. I’ve always needed time on my own: to think things through, to contemplate, to get some distance, to look at things from different perspective. Any place could be my place of reflection, my oasis of peacefulness. Forests, parks, fields, our garden in Poland, old well hidden in wild raspberry bushes (how many times I sat on its edge with my dog at my feet, contemplating, writing my diary…). And all my favourite places in London, like Primrose Hill for example. Or Chalcot Square, so small and quiet and yet so close to noisy Camden Town Market. Or Starbucks on High Holborn Street. Or walks along the River from Barnes to Putney and back. Or… the list is so long…

But when I started thinking about all those places of reflection, the one that really came to my mind first was this place:

The actual view

Tower Bridge, zoomed in

Two years ago (only two? it feels like ages now..) we rented a house with our friends in south-east London. The house itself was ugly but it stood on the bank of the River (sometimes, with windows open you could actually hear the waves of water and you dreamed you were close to the sea). There was a bench outside the house. This bench was my perfect place of reflection at that time. I would sit on that bench very often, especially in the evenings, watching the sky darkening, boats passing by, more and more lights appearing on the other side of the River. I would be sitting there clearing my mind and contemplating. The pictures show the view I had in front of me. Sometimes, I remember, coming back from work after yet another long and stressful day and before entering the house I would go and sit there for a moment just to calm down myself and rest my mind. Just to be with myself only.

***

These days my place of reflection is our bathroom. When I want to be just with myself, to contemplate and rest from everyday life, I go and have a long and foamy bath with mask on my face and sometimes candle light. It feels good. I lay in the bath with my eyes closed and dream.

Please visit other lovely corners:

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad, caitlin, joyce, ani, couturecoucou, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeanette, outi, schanett, ritva, dongdong, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemian girl, ruth, dianna, isabelle, amber, all the lovelies, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, jenna, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la luna dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, rebecca, b, sunnymama, kyndale, samantha, karen, kristina, angelina, juanita, pamela, emily, dorit, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, travellingmama, aimee, mirtille, madchen, guusje, boise, daan, woolie, 2ndspring, jenell, tina, inna

PS Sorry for such a long post- hope nobody has fallen asleep...