This rang deeply. I was immensely resonant with the discussion around short and long term interests. This article will change my course of action today-- thank you Heather.
Another gem of an essay! And what an exciting reading list! I look forward to reading the Matthew Crawford book you mention. Coming across your reference to Istanbul was especially resonant as i am in Turkey and heading back to Istanbul after a 5-week road trip around the western Black Sea and Central regions.
I would love to know what it is like in Turkey now. Bret and I were there for our honeymoon in 1998. We particularly loved Cappadocia and Istanbul, but everywhere we went in Turkey had treasures to find and lessons to teach. We were there at the same time of year as you, too--and in central Turkey, one more thing I remember is the orange rooftops as you entered any town--orange from all the apricots laid out to dry.
How cool to hear that you and Bret spent your honeymoon in Turkey! İ love imagining what Turkey was like then!
We have spent most of the past year living in Istanbul, on the European side, in an upscale neighborhood. We loved it and felt well-cared for by the Turkish people surroundings us but suspected we were not experiencing the "real" Turkey.
When the opportunity came up to rent a car and embark on a 5-week road trip, we took it! We are in our last week now before returning to Istanbul, staying in Kefken, where we started this road trip and where there are several swimmable Black Sea beaches.
We have tried to stay mainly in relatively cheap Airbnb accommodations. This has allowed us to see more of how many Turkish people live and work. Twice when we couldn't find Airbnb's rentals, we chose hotels, once finding a beautiful old-style Ottoman Era hotel in the lovely city of Kastamonu where we explore the hilltop ruins of a fortress.
We have not had the pleasure of experiencing the whimsical sight of rooftop-drying apricots but we do love seeing how many urban apartment-dwelling folk find whatever space is available to grow vegetables and then preserve them by hanging them on the ubiquitous clothes lines that hang off everyone's window or balcony. Peppers, eggplant, garlic, onions, and even, tomatoes, make a colorful sight clipped in neat rows on these lines!
(İt reminds me sadly of how in my little retirement community in NJ we are BANNED from hanging clothes outside to dry because the condo association considers it unsightly!)
How long were you and Bret in Turkey? How did you decide on Turkey as your honeymoon destination? Did you drive yourselves around while you were here?
I love this article. I really appreciate your description of the many types and different ways to achieve flow. We all match to our own beat and finding what's optimal for us IS powerful. Thanks Heather!
I heard a podcast awhile back on Art of Manliness with Steven Kotler discussing flow and his Flow Research Collective. It was fascinating, and quite scientific, and worth a listen.
Still, that idea of flow lacked the elegance and beauty of the flow you describe. You've captured something. I often see myself in your writing, in your word choices, in your cadence.
Nice job, your voice comes through clearly. I got caught up early. I have paddle boarded a little. I know taking anything paper on the board with me would not result in a great outcome for the paper. I'm guessing you have a waterproof satchel of some type.
Beautiful essay. Been thinking a lot about flow-at-the-dayjob—when it happens for me and when it doesn’t. Seems to depend on two things: (1) having a consequential project to work on, and (2) autonomy (including the autonomy to step in and out of collaborations).
Of course, these requirements rarely coincide. I wonder if the same can’t be said for our culture at large. If we as a population just had something worthwhile to work on, and could agree on what that was…
Holy cow Batman. That was really good.
This rang deeply. I was immensely resonant with the discussion around short and long term interests. This article will change my course of action today-- thank you Heather.
Another gem of an essay! And what an exciting reading list! I look forward to reading the Matthew Crawford book you mention. Coming across your reference to Istanbul was especially resonant as i am in Turkey and heading back to Istanbul after a 5-week road trip around the western Black Sea and Central regions.
Thank you, Heather!
I would love to know what it is like in Turkey now. Bret and I were there for our honeymoon in 1998. We particularly loved Cappadocia and Istanbul, but everywhere we went in Turkey had treasures to find and lessons to teach. We were there at the same time of year as you, too--and in central Turkey, one more thing I remember is the orange rooftops as you entered any town--orange from all the apricots laid out to dry.
How cool to hear that you and Bret spent your honeymoon in Turkey! İ love imagining what Turkey was like then!
We have spent most of the past year living in Istanbul, on the European side, in an upscale neighborhood. We loved it and felt well-cared for by the Turkish people surroundings us but suspected we were not experiencing the "real" Turkey.
When the opportunity came up to rent a car and embark on a 5-week road trip, we took it! We are in our last week now before returning to Istanbul, staying in Kefken, where we started this road trip and where there are several swimmable Black Sea beaches.
We have tried to stay mainly in relatively cheap Airbnb accommodations. This has allowed us to see more of how many Turkish people live and work. Twice when we couldn't find Airbnb's rentals, we chose hotels, once finding a beautiful old-style Ottoman Era hotel in the lovely city of Kastamonu where we explore the hilltop ruins of a fortress.
We have not had the pleasure of experiencing the whimsical sight of rooftop-drying apricots but we do love seeing how many urban apartment-dwelling folk find whatever space is available to grow vegetables and then preserve them by hanging them on the ubiquitous clothes lines that hang off everyone's window or balcony. Peppers, eggplant, garlic, onions, and even, tomatoes, make a colorful sight clipped in neat rows on these lines!
(İt reminds me sadly of how in my little retirement community in NJ we are BANNED from hanging clothes outside to dry because the condo association considers it unsightly!)
How long were you and Bret in Turkey? How did you decide on Turkey as your honeymoon destination? Did you drive yourselves around while you were here?
Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo 😘
"this strange sense of clairvoyance. A feeling of knowing, without conscious analysis" Living an embodied life, donut and all. Beautiful article.
I love this article. I really appreciate your description of the many types and different ways to achieve flow. We all match to our own beat and finding what's optimal for us IS powerful. Thanks Heather!
Beautiful
I heard a podcast awhile back on Art of Manliness with Steven Kotler discussing flow and his Flow Research Collective. It was fascinating, and quite scientific, and worth a listen.
Still, that idea of flow lacked the elegance and beauty of the flow you describe. You've captured something. I often see myself in your writing, in your word choices, in your cadence.
I am quite happy to have subscribed.
Thank you Heather! Beautifully expressed!
Nice job, your voice comes through clearly. I got caught up early. I have paddle boarded a little. I know taking anything paper on the board with me would not result in a great outcome for the paper. I'm guessing you have a waterproof satchel of some type.
Lovely.
Beautiful essay. Been thinking a lot about flow-at-the-dayjob—when it happens for me and when it doesn’t. Seems to depend on two things: (1) having a consequential project to work on, and (2) autonomy (including the autonomy to step in and out of collaborations).
Of course, these requirements rarely coincide. I wonder if the same can’t be said for our culture at large. If we as a population just had something worthwhile to work on, and could agree on what that was…
A pleasant read that left me feeling clear headed and calm.