Reflection on space

Fighting the demons of distraction and procrastination

I'm taking what I'm calling a sabbatical in Italy, although this is a personal timeout, a creative retreat, a sojourn. The word 'sabbatical' seems more serious and has intention around it, rather more than perhaps 'sojourn' does. It can seem like a working holiday with no pay. It's more like experiential learning - a break from my routine to be able to create in the beauty of Italy. It's not always easy to take such a break.

I came to Italy for a week-long writing retreat in Ischia. As it's so far to come from Australia, we Aussies need to stay longer than a couple of weeks so I decided to continue my retreat solo on the Amalfi Coast. Having recently retired from full-time work, I'm still in a transition phase about direction and purpose, all while fighting those two old foes, procrastination and distraction. A good dose of an Italian spring felt like just what I needed.

I had my week in Ischia with the writing group, which was structured and inspiring being surrounded by like-minded creatives. I was inspired there (how could I not be when we stayed at Ill Monastero). It doesn't seem so hard around other people. We all know we have a structure for the day - a two-hour seminar here, an dash of meditation there, and throw in some art or collage making in the afternoon. The inspiration was unbelievable in and around the castle.

When I left Ischia, I came down to the Amalfi Coast where I've started two weeks of my solo personal sabbatical. For the first few days in Maiori, I felt ungrounded. I was struggling with what to do and constantly asked myself 'What am I here for?' I came to write and create, but with all the time I could wish for, I just couldn't seem to begin. I felt as if I was falling back into my home pattern of procrastination. My nephew arrived to catch up which was fantastic, and gave me a break from overthinking everything.

I'm moving on to my next town, Vietri sul Mare, and I want to be really intentional about what the week will bring. With one week left, I'm fighting off feelings of guilt about being away from home, having too much fun, too much 'me time'. Many people don't understand the need for an internal reset, a creative jumpstart to keep the creative heart alive. It's not easy to explain, if I have to explain.

It helps to know that I'm not the only one who needs a reset. There are many examples of creative recharging. Bill Gates takes what he calls 'think weeks' where he spends a week alone in a cabin, reading and reflecting without distraction. Virginia Woolf loved solitude, insisting that every woman needs 'a room of one's own' to write and dream. Alice Walker lived in Mexico for a time, to write and think. When the noise of life starts giving you ear ache, it's time for a pause, for purpose.

For the coming week, I want to fully immerse. Generally when I go somewhere new, I think I have to see it all, do it all. Of course I want to do that, go to significant sites, learn about the history, walk the tourist trails. But I also want to write reflective pieces about place, memory, heart, not just the practical aspects of travelling. I want to feel what the place is telling me, and showing me.

This sabbatical is about creating space to let something come in that I'm not expecting; I may not know what's coming, but I'll stay open to it. That's the point.

Wish me luck and if you're on a similar journey, buona fortuna to you too!