Leading a Humble Life: Embracing the Ordinary

As I navigate my way through my 37th year, I’ve come to value peace over excitement, routine over impulsiveness, and simple pleasures over grand spectacles. I often resist the label of "middle-aged," because being in the middle feels like it’s already half done. But in truth, we never know when we’ll meet our maker. It’s a concept many artists have explored—our fleeting time on this planet—and it's worth reflecting on but in another blog.

Since becoming a dog owner about 15 months ago, my life has shifted into a gentle rhythm. I find joy in the little things: walking my dog, completing those two daily walks, painting my art, connecting with friends via text, and attempting (and I do mean attempting) to keep my flat in some semblance of order rather than a total mess. That’s it. That’s my life.

But here’s the million-dollar question(million pound sterling question doesn’t have the same ring to it) : how do I write a blog when, on the surface, it seems like nothing happens? My art and my thoughts exist primarily in an internal world. So, I aim to share that world with you—my desires, my dreams, my worries, and my fears. As a complex individual, my brain is constantly whirling, racing at about 120 words per minute just to keep up with my thoughts.

I find it fascinating how much our society is captivated by the external, the flashy, the sensational—think reality shows that peel back the layers of human life but often reveal little more than surface-level drama. Why are we so drawn to these portrayals of the ordinary? Perhaps it’s because they create a false sense of intimacy, offering glimpses into the lives of others while sparking our curiosity about their internal landscapes. However, as intriguing as it may be to see someone’s glamorous home or exciting escapades, I believe it’s the internal thoughts and imaginations that truly hold the key to understanding the human experience.

It’s easy to look at someone else’s life—particularly those presented in neatly packaged reality shows—and compare it to our own, believing that the physical externality of their world is somehow more interesting or fulfilling than our humble lives. Yet, what’s often left out of the narrative is the rich tapestry of thoughts and emotions that accompany those external experiences.

In my humble existence, there’s an abundance of art-related discoveries and personal revelations to explore, even if they may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things. Every brushstroke, every moment of inspiration, and every conversation with friends becomes a part of my story. Yes, it can be a challenge when the same “nothing” or at least the same “somethings” keep happening day after day. But in those moments of repetition, I often find profound insights waiting to be uncovered.

So, as I share my thoughts in this blog, I invite you to join me in exploring the inner realms of creativity and connection, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and where the heart of human experience truly resides.

Together, let’s celebrate the beauty of our simple lives and the stories that unfold within them. After all, there’s so much more than meets the eye.