Stuck Spaces: Trying New Things

Or, how I am embracing getting things done

I have never been averse to trying new things. If anything, I am enthusiastic about it. New foods, new ways of doing things, new places to visit, all kinds of new I embraced. The last year, with all of its stresses, put a huge padlock on any type of energy to do anything but merely exist. Then, when I thought the coast was clear, and I could breathe a little easier, my own health issues took over.

That’s Life, right? Stuff happens.

In the last month, I have been able to breathe a little deeper and and felt more of my usual joy returning.

For months now, I have been thinking of ways to help my community, since I wasn’t able to do much post-Helene, or in the following months. Recovery took a toll on all of us, but thanks to community support, we made it through, and I’d like to find ways to pay it back. I also have become increasingly fond of the part of Asheville I live in, and want to do something here…that something is still undecided at the moment.

So I thought I would start the process of figuring that out by doing something that I had always wanted to do. I took a public notary class. I know, sounds a bit odd, probably. I have long wanted to be a notary, back from my days in the corporate world. It always appealed to me, and seemed like a useful skill to have.

A class is offered at my nearby community college, and surprisingly, it’s always filled up. I finally got in a class, an all-day endeavor. And I absolutely loved it. It’s on a beautiful campus, and notary history is surprisingly interesting. It helped that we had such a great teacher. I passed the exam and now await my state commission.

After that arrives, I go downtown, take an oath, and can notarize for the next five years. I am hoping to offer a mobile notary service to my neighborhood and the surrounding area. I figure it’s a way to help. I can also help with absentee ballots at local nursing homes, so I am looking forward to offering that, very much. Overall, I am absolutely tickled I finally can check that off my list of Things I Want to Do.

The view from my classroom. Isn’t it beautiful?

The second thing I have wanted to do, and could never get around to, was go to a Paint & Sip. It’s one of those classes held at a local restaurant or bar. Everyone paints the same picture, you grab a drink and/or meal, and meet some new people. It always sounded like so much fun, but somehow, it has never worked out. Then, at a local brewery, a class was offered at a good time (not too late, not too early) and the painting offered was of my beloved mountains. I signed up immediately.

It was so much fun! I went by myself, and grabbed a blackberry cider (my favorite), and got to painting. The basic form of it is sketched out, and then we all start painting sections together. At some point, my sky looked a bit apocalyptic (who knew mixing colors was so tricky?!) but one of the teachers came over and helped out. I have it hanging now in my office and every time I glance at it, I smile. I am so glad I finally did it! Would I do it again? Maybe. Two women sat at my table, and they said they do these classes all the time, and have walls filled with their art. I love that.

The process of the Paint & Sip

So, those are two things I have accomplished in July and here we are at a new month. What could be next? The possibilities are intriguing.

New things haven’t been a Stuck Space for a long time, and then because of life circumstance, I was feeling very, very stuck. This past year has been challenging.

Having gone through my health issues has given me even more respect and care for those who struggle with physical limitations because of illness. It’s so daunting and seemingly never-ending. I am beyond grateful that I have been able to move through some of it, finally, with much hope and renewed energy on the horizon.

So, dear Stucksters, tell me below in the comments: What New Thing would you like to do, that you have been putting off and not doing? Let’s inspire each other.