Hold on to that Feeling

When I think about my childhood I don’t often think of our clothes line that stretched from the second story of our home 40’ across our backyard. But something sparked the memory of my mother carrying a basket of sheets or clothes and carefully hanging them on the thick rope. Wooden clothespins stand guard waiting for the next piece of cloth to protect. The wheel on the pulley squeaks as she yanks the rope so the sheets billow in the wind. More and more laundry is added until it’s like a fleet of ships sailing across our yard. 

There was something soothing and simple about watching the sheets float in the wind or settle in the calm. Chaos would ensue as rain began and we’d race to get the laundry in before they were drenched yet again. 

As kids we would hang other items on the clothesline and pull the rope so that a doll or toy would float high over a lake filled with hungry alligators or fiery volcanoes. We’d have to pull those toys in pretending to save the day. Some toys fell to their peril but they were easily saved by a sprint down the porch steps.

Just like a video game, we could always begin again.

I don’t notice clotheslines all that often where I live. I see the blast of hot air blowing from the dryer vent in the front of our house. Smells nice but doesn’t spark the imagination quite as vividly. 

It’s not necessarily about the activities that aren’t often done anymore but the feelings that those childhood activities evoked in you. 

The act of playing with the clothesline, sitting in a tree reading, riding my bike around town for hours, roller skating, hopscotch, and playing hide and seek while the fireflies flit around our heads. 

It’s that carefree, light feeling of knowing there was security in my life, an endless world of possibilities just outside my door, and free reign of my imagination. 

I sometimes yearn for that simplicity and wistful lightheartedness and wonder where I have that in my life now and how I can bring in more of it. 

Do you remember that wistful feeling?

It doesn’t have to be from your childhood but can be at any decade of your life.

Here are some prompts that may spark a memory or your imagination. Either works!

• What is something you remember outside?

• Either something you did or remember someone doing?

  • Has a nostalgic/wistful feel to it.

  • What feelings pop up when you think of it?

  • Where do you feel it in your body?

  • Does it have a color, texture, scent, taste?

• Why does it bring up these specific emotions/feelings?

  • Do they vary?

  • Do they contrast with how you think you used to feel?

• Paint a picture of that moment

  • Like it’s a journal entry.

  • You can literally draw or paint it if you’re called to do so.

  • Find a photo if they’re accessible.

  • Details

  • Sensory: visual, olfaction, sound, taste, touch

• What does that past nostalgic memory say about who you were?

• What in your current life brings up that same sensory experience and emotions?

  • Why?

• Do the same as above by painting a picture of it with words or art.

• What does this current way of being/activity say about who you are now?
  

I hope these prompts give access to some memories of what you loved in your life and also sparked your imagination on how to bring those wonderful feelings into your life now. 

Please comment and share if you are so moved! It helps my prompts reach more audiences. I appreciate it!