Delighted to learn about soft fascination. I wrote an essay on awe many moons ago, and reading this has reminded me to step back into this mind frame. Imagine my joy, I’ve been doing small pockets of soft fascination without even realising - thank you! Meditation scares me, convinced I can’t do it, this essay has really inspired me and shown me there are other ways for me to meditate. Thank you Jodi!
There is always more than one way to do something. And I agree, it’s incredibly comforting to understand the cognitive benefits of meandering and staring into space. It’s so helpful for a creative life! x
Thank you! This was just what I needed to read this morning. I feel at peace now as I sit on our covered patio, the rain has just stopped, the birds are singing and a little spot of sun is warming me.
Loved this. Going to definitely try and add some “soft fascination” into my life! And already had The Thinning and Theory and Practice on my TBR but will now be adding The Burrow too.
A favourite piece from your thoughtful stack. Loved this, thank you. I often find myself restless and itching for moments of soft fascination, but perhaps sometimes it takes me a while to realise that is what I need (a potter in the garden or a walk out the back gate into the reserve). Enjoy those soft focus ramblings x
Ps. Re books on the bedside pile....I heard Nardi Simspon and Melissa Lucashenko speak at Canberra Writers Festival, both such a delight to listen to and together so thoughtful and rather hilarious. I could listen to Nardi's lyrical and moving way of connecting all day (unsurprisingly she is also a brilliant musician). I am very much looking forward to reading her new book, The Belburd - and can highly recommend Song of the Crocodile. She does beautiful things with what she calls aboriginal realism.
This was so lovely to read. Thank you so much for making me aware of what this soft state of attention is called. I find myself engaged in it at some point daily, and it’s incredibly steadying ♥️
Thanks Jodi, I too a, new to 'soft fascination'. I like the imagery of soft eyes just watching the world as you go about your day, rather than the 'hard focused eyes we have when reading a screen.
Loved this read. I can now put a name to the “just sitting and staring at my garden” I find these moments of soft fascination also create feelings of contentment and appreciation - how lucky am I to have trees in my garden, a patio to sit under and watch my children play on the lawn.
I love that there is a world for this. I’m often noticing the sunset or the way the birds make formation in the sky & thinking “who else is seeing this right now” because surely it’s not just me. But strangely, scrolling on my phone is also a form of soft fascination for me. It requires nothing but noticing. And when life becomes too much & I can’t give another piece of myself to anything, scrolling reels fits the bill.
Ahh, I never knew this but now that I do, I get it, I understand why all the small moments outside matter. Beautiful Jodi 💛
Yes! Language is powerful when it helps us name and recognise these otherwise looked over habits x
Wonderful.🌹🌻🌸💐💚💛💜❤️🌼😍🥰
Delighted to learn about soft fascination. I wrote an essay on awe many moons ago, and reading this has reminded me to step back into this mind frame. Imagine my joy, I’ve been doing small pockets of soft fascination without even realising - thank you! Meditation scares me, convinced I can’t do it, this essay has really inspired me and shown me there are other ways for me to meditate. Thank you Jodi!
There is always more than one way to do something. And I agree, it’s incredibly comforting to understand the cognitive benefits of meandering and staring into space. It’s so helpful for a creative life! x
Loved this and needed this. Xx
It’s so easy to stay at the desk waiting for the words to come…but much better to walk outside and let them bubble up in their own time x
Thank you! This was just what I needed to read this morning. I feel at peace now as I sit on our covered patio, the rain has just stopped, the birds are singing and a little spot of sun is warming me.
You are absolutely in a moment of ‘light focus’, Jenny x
Loved this. Going to definitely try and add some “soft fascination” into my life! And already had The Thinning and Theory and Practice on my TBR but will now be adding The Burrow too.
There is a great chat with Melanie Cheng, author of The Burrow, on Read This podcast x
i love how beautifully you named this - "soft fascination." It truly feels so.
A favourite piece from your thoughtful stack. Loved this, thank you. I often find myself restless and itching for moments of soft fascination, but perhaps sometimes it takes me a while to realise that is what I need (a potter in the garden or a walk out the back gate into the reserve). Enjoy those soft focus ramblings x
Ps. Re books on the bedside pile....I heard Nardi Simspon and Melissa Lucashenko speak at Canberra Writers Festival, both such a delight to listen to and together so thoughtful and rather hilarious. I could listen to Nardi's lyrical and moving way of connecting all day (unsurprisingly she is also a brilliant musician). I am very much looking forward to reading her new book, The Belburd - and can highly recommend Song of the Crocodile. She does beautiful things with what she calls aboriginal realism.
This was so lovely to read. Thank you so much for making me aware of what this soft state of attention is called. I find myself engaged in it at some point daily, and it’s incredibly steadying ♥️
So enlightening and as always, written so beautifully. Thank you for sharing. 🧡
Thanks Jodi, I too a, new to 'soft fascination'. I like the imagery of soft eyes just watching the world as you go about your day, rather than the 'hard focused eyes we have when reading a screen.
Loved this read. I can now put a name to the “just sitting and staring at my garden” I find these moments of soft fascination also create feelings of contentment and appreciation - how lucky am I to have trees in my garden, a patio to sit under and watch my children play on the lawn.
Thank you Jodi
I love that there is a world for this. I’m often noticing the sunset or the way the birds make formation in the sky & thinking “who else is seeing this right now” because surely it’s not just me. But strangely, scrolling on my phone is also a form of soft fascination for me. It requires nothing but noticing. And when life becomes too much & I can’t give another piece of myself to anything, scrolling reels fits the bill.
I love the concept of soft fascination, and the description as joy's little sister! a lovely read xx
Loved this.
That's very true. We have become too separated from nature, too demanding of stimulation.