Calm and Joy in Photographs?

Photos can help bring peace, calm, and joy in turbulent times

The saying "May you live in interesting times" is a fabled Chinese curse where "interesting" is inferred to be "troubled" times per its Wikipedia page. Regardless of origin, it appears troubled times may be upon us. The 2024 US election has unsettled the nation; conflicts in Europe may escalate; the US economy may become more volatile. How do we cope with the impending strife?

Daily self care becomes a profoundly effective process for coping with externalities that threaten foreboding. There are many ways to incorporate self care into ones daily routines. I'll discuss a few of my self care processes that have helped bring into my life more calm, peace, and joy.

Exercise: I started walking daily several years ago and found the 30 minutes outside became a salve that helped reduce my stress. As the weather transitions to colder temperatures, I shift to light weight lifting for muscle tone at a local gym. Again, 30 minutes of morning exercise in the gym centers me internally and readies me for the day.

An orderly living space: I have found that tidying up a little bit every day helps keep me centered by relieving the dread of big cleanups later in the week. I like to keep a clean kitchen. This mundane task brings joy in tackling the mess of a fun cooking project and creating a clean space with everything in its place ready for the next messing session. Five minutes of running the Dyson Cordless Hand Vacuum to pick up bits of detritus in the dining room & kitchen leaves me relaxed and content.

Hanging photos and illustrations on my walls surrounds me with beauty that calms and provides a sense of joy when looking at them. Early in my photographic career I wanted to be a fashion photographer. For a myriad of reasons, that did not occur yet I still enjoy fashion photos. I have hung fashion photos from the 1950's in my living room and hallway, one features Audrey Hepburn wearing a large wide-brim lace hat. I also hung a large Robert Mapplethorpe orchid photo in my hallway.

Linda Naylor

hung a large poster from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Music Festival from 2009 above our fireplace. These artworks bring both of us joy and calm daily.

Could this be an appropriate time to revisit or refresh your living space? It's something that is completely within your control. Maybe some regular tidying, maybe some new artwork? If artwork may be on your menu, I encourage you to seek  photos that bring you calm and joy. I've included some here to start to your journey.

If you would like to add one or more of these to your living space, please visit my photo store at paul-caloca.pixels.com for more info.

Enjoy the photos. I aspire that they may they bring you peace, calm, and joy.

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