Exploration in Merging Work and Leisure: Finding Spaciousness and Joy

photo by iris fen gillingham

In my work, I like to be independent, precise, detail-oriented, clean, fast, and innovative with space. In my outside time I like to be leisurely, I love to read, go on hikes, and spend time with people I love. I think my work self and leisure self are very different, and it has been good to intertwine them a bit while being at Wild Roots Farm. During this time I was forced to slow down the side of myself focused on production - working hard, but in a cyclical and regenerative way - working in the garden with the food that we prepared and ate to sustain us for more garden work. I was allowed the spaciousness to fall in love with simple impact, and find delight in taking time to sit with the sheep or watch the wind blow leaves from the trees. I began to look at the world around me differently, really taking time to notice textures, decay, color, and form in everyday life – everything I saw became inspiration. By spending more time outside, I was more inspired by nature, and with that inspiration, I wanted to spend more time outside. In these last two weeks, I have started to have a really clear inspiration as to how I want to connect all these aspects of my life and bring more nature, connection, simplicity, and presence into the fast-paced creative environment of the theatrical world.