How were you all doing last week? I had an unexpected time. I went off to a meeting I hoped was going to be interesting, but which turned out, maddeningly, to have been cancelled.
I felt stupid, but there was nothing to be done but quickly make my way back home feeling fury and irritation. Perhaps, however, the time was not entirely wasted. I saw a couple of new places and met some other people who, like me, were also trying vaguely to find something new.
Of course, it always seems classier when we get to do the things that we absolutely love doing – and then tell others about it. But people who work at home – such as writers, or artists or nannies – can be cheery with almost anything different, as long as it’s something that takes us out of the house or, at least, has us thinking of things that do not remind us of our tedious grind.
The woman who bashes a typewriter all the time may even find washing dishes an agreeable change; a nanny caring for children can realise just how refreshing different personalities can be. We can all know and learn from whatever we are doing – even if it’s not what we set out to do.
The alternative experience to the one you expected to have may feel uncomfortable – because we all feel reassured by our habitual way of doing things. But supposing the new way seems better? Well, it might be worth trying once, just to find out. My late husband Gavin Lyall, who wrote thrillers, used to wonder why the legions of men tired with their own jobs didn’t try his.
Maybe most of us are capable of doing various things we haven’t tried – and if we try it and still can’t then fair enough. But, as long as it’s not too risky, it doesn’t hurt to give something new a try – good luck.
What do you think? Have your say below
