Radically Retired

Happiness Is … Cleaning Up the Back Burner

Written by

Terry

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For the past several months, I’ve back-burnered three of my favourite passions and pastimes.

I don’t know why things got stuck on that back burner for so long. Maybe I needed a break. Maybe I was pushing myself too hard. Maybe I had too many irons in the fire. Maybe it was a combination of all of these.

Whatever it was and whyever it was, by taking a break, I felt increasing boredom and unease. I need challenges to stay motivated and engaged in life.

My first rescue from banishment was my guitar. I’ve been wanting to learn finger picking style because so much of the music I love lends itself to that. I had started lessons via a tabs and chords music app, but as soon as practice was required, I gave up and went back to perfecting French macarons.

Recently, I achieved my mac goal, so I needed another to replace it.

Over 100 yr old Parlour Guitar (the one my mom learned to play on) waiting patiently to be played again

*Feature photo: A wood burning stove in one of the houses at our heritage village here in Weyburn*

Comments

12 responses to “Happiness Is … Cleaning Up the Back Burner”

  1. explorenewness Avatar
    explorenewness

    Good luck! That’s a worthy ambition. I would love to learn to play too, but I feel like it would be hard…really hard. I’m not sure I’m up to it quite yet, haha.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      I’ve been able to do basic chording (good enough to get by in many songs) since I was a pre-teen, Lenore. The hardest thing for me when I was learning was how sore my fingertips got from holding the strings down to form a chord. Once callouses are formed, it’s not a problem. Now, it’s the classical finger picking style that I want to learn. 🤞

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  2. A Creative Spirit Avatar
    A Creative Spirit

    Hi Terry, I used to love playing the guitar until I injured my hand gardening. That was many years ago and broke my heart when I had to give up as I damaged the tendons in my hand beyond repair. I would love to pick up a guitar one more time to see if I could play…but sadly no one I know has a guitar.

    But you are right about taking some hobbies off the back burner

    I need challenges to stay motivated and engaged in life.

    Yep, I put several hobbies on hold because I’ve been in a funk.

    I am gradually making a start. Blogging being #1 and then craftwork and art. I don’t know why I let them slide.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      I learned to play when I wasn’t yet a teenager. My Mom (who is 92 and still plays beautifully) taught me. I’m sorry to hear about the injury to your hand, Carole. I hope you can continue to get things off your back burner. One at a time is likely a good plan.

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  3. annemariedemyen Avatar
    annemariedemyen

    Well I can’t believe I did that again! 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      LOL … We all do that from time to time 💗

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  4. annemariedemyen Avatar
    annemariedemyen

    I love that guitar! Good luck with all three of your ‘now front burner’ projects. Have a great week Terry! ⛈️

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thanks, Anne! Enjoy the start to your new week!

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Bernie Avatar
    Bernie

    I hadn’t thought about the back burner saying in eons. And you very nicely Illustrated it. Good luck with the guitar. I am sure you will do if your macaroons are anything to go by!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thanks, Bernie! Have a great Monday!

      Liked by 1 person

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  6. Betty Avatar
    Betty

    So, what are the other two passions that have been put on the back burner? You do have a lot of irons in the fire!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      I decided not to mention them until I can deal with them. No big secret – one is my Spanish Lessons, and the other is a review of all of my Phone Photography courses. Have a fab Monday, Betty!

      Liked by 1 person

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