I’ve been occupied by the intersections of three different experiences in the last ten days: my half-marathon run last Sunday, the decluttering of my home this past week, and reading the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.
The half-marathon was not easy. There were several moments when I wanted to give up, give in and quit. What kept me going? On all of my longer runs, it is always the release. In my daily life, I battle noise. The noise of my own thoughts, the clamor of the dryer throwing around clothes, the water rushing through the dishwasher, and the desires and needs of others, whether it is from my husband, daughter or friends. Sometimes it is too much all at once. My half-marathon gave me a chance to purge some of that noise. If you can push pass the pain in your tendons, lower back and knees, you reach a point of absolute quiet. And the only thing you are thinking about is the run. Putting one foot in front of the other and inching toward the finish. The noise of everything else becomes extinct. I’ve held on to this feeling and my words don’t really reveal the true gravity of this kind of elation. You have to run to know what it is.
After the run, my mind shifted to the physical noise around me. I admit that we are people with stuff. A lot of unnecessary stuff. For the past week, I went through every room and purged things that didn’t belong. The shirt that I haven’t worn in six years – gone. The toys my daughter doesn’t even give a second glance – donated. The pots and pans that only take up space but serve no real utility – eliminated. What I enjoy about this process is creating physical space to breathe. I was determined to keep a drawer or cabinet empty in each room to honor silence. This process automatically makes you think again before buying your next item/gadget/clothing/purse. Most of the time I don’t really need the additional noise. And the truth is I breathe easier knowing that everything in our house remains because it was a choice for it to be there. That it serves a function or purpose.
Part of these lessons were eloquently discussed by Christopher McDougall in his book Born to Run. Pick it up and read it if you have the chance. There are many lessons that are not only applicable to running, but to life. His focus is on the Tarahumara Indians and their lifestyle of ultramarathon running. These are a people who run hundreds and hundreds of miles in a few days. Their life is solitary, focused on the actual happiness of the run and the solitude it brings. Where they live there is no access to the internet or social networking sites or hanging out at a party during the weekend. They build their lives around their inner core. Reading some of these passages made me think of some of interpersonal connections and obligations that I feel like I have to participate in because it is the accepted thing to do. Lately, though, I’m questioning the utility of falling into this vortex. Are my social obligations taking away from my ability to focus on my own personal development? Some social connections are simply noise. But the problem becomes recognizing this and actually doing something about it.
I found the intersection of these three experiences, running, decluttering, and reading offered me an identifiable way to purge some of my noise. On my way to quiet? I realize I have a long way to go to really adopt a “noise” free lifestyle. For now, I am content in at least beginning the path.
Where is the noise in your life? Are you willing to purge it? Have you experience the elation I am talking about after a run or decluttering or reading a good book?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Not too very long ago I purged a marriage of 26 years that wasn’t working, hadn’t been working and needed to be ended for my soul’s survival. So very difficult to do but has been the right thing. I’m not a runner but I think I can in some way relate to what you’ve experienced as far as hanging in there and staying with the dificult stages until you get to a place of quiet. In how very many ways and aspects of life, I wonder, is that true?
I will look for born to run. Sounds enlightening….as was your comment aboutleaving one drawer or space empty to “honor the silence.” That’s profound to me in all that it reminds you of.
First, bravo on the half marathon! That’s a huge accomplishment, and the discipline and focus to arrive at that point and then do it – surely that’s a step toward reducing noise.
As for decluttering and reading I quite agree, though I find my “real life” allows so little time for anything beyond work, I gravitate to reading first (as soul-soothing, even if only the NYTimes on Sunday and a bit of Monday night).
The decluttering? It’s good you are doing it now. I find I’ve tried over and over. With children, there’s so much “stuff” and it gets worse not easier, and of course, as we become the oldest generation, we fall into the role of caretakers of family history. “Shedding” becomes tougher.
Very thoughtful post.
It’s wonderful to find an outlet to quiet you in the midst of noise. My outlet is quilting…and that feeds my creativity for writing.
Congratulations on the half-marathon! I don’t have anything that equates with the elation of running – that can quiet the noise around me and within me. As a matter of fact, I often listen to outside noise like T.V. or radio to quiet the noise within.
Bravo on purging clutter! I love the idea of an empty drawer in each room to honor the silence – wisdom that is beyond me. I find it hard to part with stuff, even stuff I haven’t used it for six years. I almost did it yesterday with a couple of handbags. Almost…
The book sounds really interesting. Reading is one of my favorite ways to pass time!
You express yourself so eloquently. As usual, your words resonate with me and you have given me something to think about. You make me aspire to work toward being a better person – not just for others, but to do something positive for me. Maybe that is because you are so open and real. Thanks Rudri for a wonderful and thought-provoking post!
I love how you describe clutter as “physical noise.” That idea resonates deeply with me and sheds light for me on why I find clutter so stressing.
I can’t remember, Rudri: have you read the book, Quiet by Susan Cain? I think you would find a lot to relate to in her exploration of the lives and needs of introverts.
Congratulations on your half marathon! And thanks for the reminder to move Born to Run to the top of my to-read pile. xo
I love this post. Yes, firstly, congratulations on your half marathon! What an achievement. I have also heard of Born to Run and am glad to know that the lessons apply to other aspects of life as well. I am so curious about running – I am not sure if it is something my body is capable of doing but once my leg heals I would like to give it a try. I have heard so often of the peace that runners feel.
I, too, love how you’ve coined clutter. That is absolutely one of the loudest noises in my life right now. I’m overwhelmed and not good at managing it. It actually felt therapeutic just to read those lines in your post about how you got rid of things from clothes to toys. I need to purge in the same way.
Another noise I need to get rid of is the noise inside of me – the negative thoughts, the worries…all the things that prevent me from being as calm as I can be, or as kind as I can be. This noise dictates how I act and so something needs to be done!
Congratulations on your half marathon! That’s awesome and I am so happy for you. So good you were able to purge some of your noise. I love purging what we don’t need as well. I still have a problem letting go of things that belonged to my parents . What truly makes me happy is when I give something away that I know the receiver really needs and it will help them. 🙂 The book sounds awesome and I have to put it on my list of books to read. Xo
I love decluttering! …but my family loves filling empty spaces with clutter. /sigh
♡ Jill
A timely post for me to read. I was just talking to my husband about how I think we should vacation at Cumberland Island. He thought it was a great idea but then I mentioned that there was no internet, no cell service and his vigorous nod stopped. He hesitated but then agreed that an unplugged vacation might be in order.
(Congrats on the 13.1! Now you can put one of those stickers on your car!)
“You have to run to know what it is.”
I know what it is. And, boy, I miss it. Terribly.
Congratulations on your ha;f!!