When I go slow on the street, or on a nature walk, I feel more connected to the present and the now. Most people on the street and in cities rush around whether they’re running or trying to get from point A to point B without soaking in all of the beauty. My antidote to the chaos of urban life is by walking barefoot with the Vibram Five Finger ELX shoes and going for a slow cruise.
Find a nice view
When I find myself at an elevated space, looking out towards the river, the horizon, and beautiful architecture, I feel empowered. There’s something special about standing at top of the hill or mountain with fresh air and a nice view. I encourage you to find a place in your city, neighborhood, town, or village where you can appreciate an elevated space to start your day.
Disconnect from the culture
Nowadays, it’s easy to be distracted by culture. Whether it’s the TV, news, or social media, it’s becoming the new norm to stay in touch with everything that’s going on in the world through a screen. My antidote to this is to embrace physical life, follow your intuition, and only trust your gut. Everything else is hearsay. Avoid conspiracy, theories, and anything portrayed on the screens. Just the other day I was waiting in a lobby and the TV was playing automatically showcasing the new cycle and it really does deplete my mood. Maybe when you’re constantly connected to the culture and whatever the TV is sharing with you, you lose touch of reality, real life, physical flesh, and whatever is truly in front of you.
Throw yourself on the front lines of life
Ultimately, curiosity is the goal. With any artistic practice, whether it’s photography, music, sculpting, or video, the goal is to forever be curious about life itself. By going on nature walks in the morning, appreciating beautiful architecture, or listening to music that increases my vitality like the Wanamaker Organ, I fuel myself with inspiration and curiosity to continuously throw myself into the unknown. Detach yourself from the outcome of whatever you are creating and simply let life flow towards you. I find that the practice of making pictures keeps me grounded in the now with a camera, always ready and prepared to pounce on the front lines of life.