How I overcame a lifelong habit of rushing

How I overcame a lifelong habit of rushing

Girl running

How can you over come this habit of rushing?

 

I do tend to like this idea of slow living.

One of the things you need to train yourself out of as a photographer is the modern day disease called ‘Rushing”. You may be able to pin point how this condition took over your mind and body or otherwise you may need to simply develop new habits that slow you down.

I often find I am in a rush. I have this anxious feeling of rushing through all my daily tasks, to bring them to completion asap.
This anxious, rushing, feeling, I can trace back to my childhood. You see from the age of seven, I have had to deal with migraine headaches. Very debilitating and painful.

From somewhere around my teenage years, I felt I had to rush to get everything completed in case I got sick with a migraine and had to spend hours in bed with a massive headache. This became a very deeply entrenched habit. More especially in the years I was raising children, you see everything had to be perfect and in order in case anything went wrong.
But as I got older, I have had to retrain my brain and remind myself, why the panic? Tomorrow is another day with a new beginning and a little mess is not going to hurt. If I need to rest then I must rest!

SLOW DOWN, and focus on the fact that this is only temporary, soon the events that I am drowning in at the present moment will not last.

 

A wonderful side note, as I grew older those terrible migraines lost alot of their severity. I no longer vomit for hours and the headache is quite mild. You see, life can change!

Just how do you slow down?

*Gather less stuff. We take nothing into this world and we take nothing out when we leave. I have found it liberating moving into a smaller home and making myself throw out things I am fairly sure I will not use again

*Read the bible and pray. Dwelling on the good things the bible has to say is very relaxing and calming. Psalm 119.105. says ….Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

*Begin the day with peaceful, positive thoughts. Your self talk will set you in the right direction if it is life giving and positive.

*Retrain your mind to stop and enjoy. This process took me awhile to achieve, but some grim determination and a healthy stance against fear has helped.

*Be grateful and make an effort to thank God for all the good things in life.

*Find an interest or hobby that you love and enjoy. When I am out photographing, I find my mind and body are totally unaware of worries and lifes distractions. I am fully involved and absolutely loving what I am doing. The peace and fulfilment after the day is over keeps my mind thoughful and certainly has the effect of slowing me down.

 

Photography has slowed my mental state

…for the reason that it involves seeking out and being in the presence of beautiful things. Beauty is designed and created by God to enrich our lives and enhance our thinking.

 

Below are some images that have brought peace to my heart and soul.

The coast is where many or most of my images are taken. Water and the ocean have the ability to capture the heart and soul of a person. Science has proven that a trip to the beach has a positive effect on our brains. I can indeed walk, sit, and explore the coastline photographing for many an hour and never get bored or tired.

The sand dunes along Yorke Peninsula are also vast and undulating, promising long walks and happy thoughts.

 

 

One white umbrella at West Cape
Ethels beach at sunset
Moon light rising over Marion Bay Yorke Peninsula
Blue ocean and tiny white sail
Mauve shades as the sun sets Marion Bay
Pink evening Marion Bay coastline
Wave along the West Cape coastline at sunset
Ethels on a cloudy day
Two gulls in the evening light
Sunshine on the sea water
Desert sands at Cactus beach South Australia
Close up of sand dunes Yorke Peninsula
Close up of sand dunes Yorke peninsula

John 14.27. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

All images photographed by Wendy Philip. No AI generated images.

Tips on keeping safe at our South Australian beaches.

Tips on keeping safe at our South Australian beaches.

Australian beaches

Safety is imperative at our South Australian local beaches:

 

Along the coastline we can be bothered by many things,

 

…..flies, mosquitoes, snakes, march flies, a hot sun, ants, jelly fish, sting rays, pounding waves and vicious under tows……you would think that a sunny day at the beach would be the worst place to be in Australia.

And yet we flock to the beaches, and enjoy the wonders of a spectacular and yet unpredictable coastline.
I have learnt a few lessons over the years that seem to keep me safe, try these tips on keeping safe and see if you are happier at the seashore.

1. Having been washed out to sea in seconds when I was a lot younger I am very cautious to check the area for rips. Firstly read the signs and take heed. Look for an area with no waves and white water going out to sea. Stay close to the shore and put your feet on the ground regularly.

2. I never venture out too deep if the area is known for sharks, which is most of our coastline.

3. I apply sunscreen, and reapply later especially my face, and lately I’ve taken to carrying a very light sarong which I immediately drape around my shoulders as soon as I get out of the water. Always wear a sun hat.

4. I never, ever swim alone.

5. I carry an insect net which goes over my sun hat and use it when I need to. Flies are notoriously attracted to facial features, especially mine, and South Aussie has many flies. You can use an insect repellent if you like.

6. I check the ocean waves before setting up camp, especially at surfing beaches where the waves can come in a lot further unannounced. Let me explain. Many years ago with my brand new camera we were equipped and ready to photograph the surfers for the day. Umbrella up and gear placed neatly in piles, within about 10 minutes a huge “after surge” from a powerful wave raced up the beach and absolutely saturated all our gear including my new lens. Fortunately I had my camera in my hand only the lens was ruined. Towels all soaking, food all gone…etc. I learnt my lesson the hard way, when the surf is up you keep a big distance from the shoreline.

7. Never go to an Aussie beach without an umbrella. It gets very hot here. We have a new umbrella which has a tie down for windy days. A marvellous invention.

8. Travel lightly. Buy lightweight cameras, …lightweight umbrella and chairs etc.

9. Don’t take those silly blow up toys out on our beaches when the day is windy, which is most days along our coastline. Two summers ago we had a drowning as a mother tried to save her child who was blown out to sea on a blow up floatation animal.

10..Don’t touch jelly fish, don’t touch stingrays, and look out for concealed rocks beneath the sand. Many a stubbed toe has resulted from kicking an unmovable rock just under the sand.

11. If you are going to venture along the cliffs for a few photographs, either watch out for snakes or wear snake protectors.

12. Don’t take young children swimming at a big wave beach.

I guess that has put you off our beaches…is this my secret weapon for keeping you off the incredibly pristine beaches in South Australia? Well I hope not!
Many flock to the overcrowded beaches in Queensland, where you sit within two inches of another tanned, greased body. But the South Australian coastline although isolated is extremely beautiful and truly lovely for swimming.

Wherever you are, stay safe.

Gallery

Turquoise beach

Building a house by the sea, part 2.

Building a house by the sea, part 2.

Black chair at the beach house

Progress on the beach house has been slow over the winter.

 

Heaps of rain so the water tanks are over flowing. However we have been able to work on the inside as most of the outside is finished.

I have made a tiny garden of local plants. All the same type of grasses for a unified, coherent kind of effect. The ground is very sandy and it is certainly best to choose local plants as not much grows in this area.

We still have plenty to do, but at least we can sleep in the beach house and not in a caravan any longer.

I chose wood for the walls due to its warm feel and the natural vibe it adds to any home.

I’ve made a path out the front from some old left over slate and put white rocks along the front. These limestone rocks are everywhere here. I don’t think I’ve seen one beach shack without these limestone rocks.

It is such a lovely place so peaceful and relaxing. Nature at its finest.

 

Emus walking past the beach house

Our emu friends stroll past our house.

Sun hats hang up at the holiday house
Bathroom
bedroom in holiday home
Empty room with wooden walls

Growth of plants is slow and keeping bugs away is a constant chore. We are trying to be as natural as possible but some of the insects are so resistent I have resorted to getting the spray can out and trying to slaughter them this way. White vinegar was just not working.

Soon we will put in more furniture and add some homely touches. Our car is always packed full on our trips back and forth to the city.

Living here is very peaceful as most of the holiday homes are vacant year round. They soon fill up around Christmas and Easter, dogs, kids, bikes, music, but its only for such a short period and it becomes quite exciting seeing all the tourists come and go.

All images have been taken personally by Wendy Philip, no AI is used.

Photographing surfing, (what not to do!)

Photographing surfing, (what not to do!)

Surfer in a wave

Photographing surfing life in South Australia…

 

This is mainly centred around family holidays and extra weekend breaks.

Over the years I have learnt what NOT to photograph, and I’m still trying to learn what makes a great surfing shot.

We have a beach house at the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula and as I have mentioned in my other blogs, we have been frequenting these beaches in this area for many years.

It’s always been all about the surfing. Right from the beginning when my children were little we had to choose a holiday destination that had waves. At the tip of Yorke Peninsula, the various beaches around the peninsula are known for their great surfing waves. Consequently over the years we grew to love all these spots.

My love for photography also grew over the years and one of the most challenging aspects, was the capturing of fast moving bodies on a wave. However as was my custom, time and time again while waiting for one of them to catch a wave, my thoughts and the direction of my camera would drift off to survey the sights. A bird, a yacht, a beautiful cloud, some sun bathers, what ever it was, inevitably I would miss the golden shot.

That evening while viewing the photographs of the day, I would be reprimanded… “Oh my goodness, she’s done it again, photographed a bird instead of my tube!!”

 

I have learnt to focus my entire attention on endlessly watching the waves and the surfers. It can give you a bit of eye strain keeping focused on distant objects on a bright sunny day, However, good sunnies and a sunhat go a long way in saving the day.

And when you catch that magic shot it is well worth the wait.

 

Huge waves to surf
Orange surf board
Waves and surfer
Surfer and green ocean wave
Huge wave
Surfers
Surfer and jet ski
Surfing with a jet ski
Surfer
Seaweed and surfer
Yacht

A moment of boredom and a yacht sails by in the distance. How could I resist??

Surfer
Surfer walking
The beautiful Chinamans Hat Island.

The beautiful Chinamans Hat Island.

Cinamans hat Island

Chinamans Hat Island is located in the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.

 

As the seasons and the weather change so does the look of this tiny but beautiful island. I often stop and photograph these changes, some days rough, some days very calm and still, some evenings like a fire has been lit. It amazes me the way the ocean colour changes to suit the sky. Like a well dressed and fully colour coordinated woman. I suppose?

This tiny (well dressed) island is only some 350 meteres from the shoreline and some have been known to walk over to it at low tide. Well I think it would have to be a very low tide for this to happen.

When visiting this area of Yorke Peninsula be sure to stop and walk down to the small but very clear waters on this beach.

This has always been one of our favorite spots for swimming.

Just around the corner of Chinamans Hat Island, is the surfing beach called Chinamans. Very tricky, don’t get confused!! At the surfing beach you can walk up to the ramp and if there is a swell there are bound to be a few surfers out.

Certainly a lovely spot to visit, surf  and swim.

China mans Hat Island
In rough weather.
Chinamans Hat Island with a radiant sunset
Chinamans Hat Island in a storm
Chinamans Hat Island
Chinamans Hat Island
Chinamans Hat Island in the twilight
Chinamans Hat Island

As a photographer….

Your favorite location has the unique ability to change with the seasons, the time of day and the weather. How could a photographer ever get bored?? The variety is endless.

Another thing I will do is edit the same photo in a different way. Maybe add a different sky, maybe darken a cloud, maybe lighten the entire image. It is time to start experimenting and seeing where your creativity leads you. You will learn so much as you experiment with styles, techniques and your camera. Have fun!!

 

All images have been taken personally by Wendy Philip, no AI is used.