10 April 2024 — “Attention to emotion” (Olsen, 201)🧟♀️😰🌠
“I enjoyed this place visit because it gave me a place and time to relax my repressed emotions. I noticed that when I sat down for my place visit, I was able to shake away the majority of my emotions, including academic stress and boredom. However, I was unable to shake away how tired I have been feeling. I honed in on my exhaustion because of the multiple sensations it gave my body. I felt heavy, almost dizzy, unable to focus completely on my surroundings, and sunken inward. As I began to undulate, I immediately felt annoyed because I had to engage my core to make sure I wasn’t straining my back. But, as I moved into larger undulations, I enjoyed the ride and was even laughing. As I slowed back down, I felt as though I tapped into a new energy and was able to move in whatever way I wanted with muscle control. Sometimes, I dislike completing my place visit because it can feel like I’m forcing myself to be in a space, especially when the weather is bad or I’m feeling tired. But, acknowledging my tiredness and tapping into stored energy while being in my space brought a new light to this place visit. This directly relates to Olsen’s chapter, as she discusses the importance of releasing your held emotions to promote recharge so the repressed emotion doesn’t unconsciously negatively impact other people or the environment”
24 April 2024 — “Create an ending ritual” (Olsen, 229)🧘♀️🎉⏳
“When I first found my place, the space felt much bigger because there wasn’t my chair, or the crates, or the hammock, or the rug, or the random can of bug spray, or the chalk. Now, as almost the entire semester has gone by, the space is compact with memories and the objects left behind to represent them. During my place visits, I have had the opportunity to feel the earth that surrounds me as an independent body, allowing me to recognize my human interdependence. I’ve noticed the earth responds, feels, moves, and breathes in a similar fashion, especially as the seasons change. I find it exciting that the things and space around me is constantly changing. Though I have visited the same place at least 11 times, each experience has been different. I believe that this is because I’ve been acknowledging different aspects of my place each time. This coincides with Olsen’s explanation that “even a small, natural place is as comprehensive in scale as a body tissue or organ” (Olsen, 224). I am able to resonate with her idea that as we explore and pay closer awareness, earth or any place becomes more complex and expands. At my last place visit, I am satisfied with my journey and ready to move into a new journey, Fall 2024”
quick peek👀
