2020 has been what feels like a constant series of surprises, most of them not very pleasant for most of us. From lockdowns and border closings to always carrying a mask and missing out on museums and other indoor places where I’ve visited, it’s been a year unlike any other. Add in the runup to the Nov 3 US election, and it’s been stressing me out big-time. So today, join me as I retreat to my happy places.
Try taking three slow, deep breaths while you look at this image.
Now, three more. Breathe in the stillness, breathe out the turmoil in your soul.
Three more. See the colors, the textures, the beauty of this world with each breath.
Take care of your precious self in these precarious times.
If you want to use these or other photos as your screen background to help you unwind and relax, you can browse my smugmug gallery and download images for free, my ongoing gift to you. (Don’t click the Buy Photo button, look for the Download button instead, which may be on the left side or bottom, depending on your device or browser).
As long as you’re dancing, you can
break the rules.
Sometimes breaking the rules is just
extending the rules.
Sometimes there are no rules.
Mary Oliver
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you…
You and me both on the relaxing part, I hope, after Nov 3. I try to avoid the news most of the day and just look at it in the morning, when I’m fresh and optimistic about things 🙂
Many thanks Annie.
Reminders to hit pause, breathe repeat. Your beautiful photos and thoughtfully shared words definitely helped make that happen. Be well and stay safe.
-betty lou
Gorgeous! Thank you for the break. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am heading back to 538 to obsessively refresh the latest polling data so I can continue my freak-out. I promise, I will well and truly relax as soon as this nightmare is over. 🙂
These photos are just what the doctor ordered. This has been a crazy year and thank you for the breaths that I just took. Very relaxing…Daniel
That is Bandon, Oregon. The coast there is so photogenic!
Wonderful photography! And thank you for the reminder to breathe! And to be very conscious of the beauty in nature. Where did you take the photo at the top of the post?
Just wonderful, Annie! Thank you!
Beautiful!!
This was beautiful and healing in every way Annie. Thank you. Your photos and the deep breathing unexpectedly helped me release some of the sadness and anxiety of these times I have been feeling. And still…staying in touch with this beautiful world and all the goodness it still holds. I remain hopeful and grateful.
Just lovely! Thank you
Wendy
Thank you for this post Annie, on this day….