I have been writing in what is called a “Five-Senses Journal” since day one of my sabbatical. Each day I write down things that I have seen, tasted, heard, touched, and smelled. Recently a few different people have asked me what -if anything- it is teaching me. 

I am reminded to not take for granted having access to all five senses. 

My life is generally very full, and while I might like to think all of my experiences will remain locked in my memory, they do not. There is something about connecting with my senses and then writing it all down that is improving my recall.

At the beginning of my sabbatical I had a difficult time adjusting to being away from The Dale. The practice of paying attention to my senses helped me name my discomfort, be present to it, and move through it. Though this was hard work, it was also good. I would not change it. 

I can get stuck in my head. Unhealthy thoughts create barriers that prevent me from living in the moment. Noticing the sound of a bird, the texture of a blanket, the smell of a cake baking, the taste of a raspberry warmed in the sun, or the sight of a friend helps me get unstuck. 

I sometimes talk about how expressing gratitude is like exercising a muscle: the more I do it, the easier it becomes. I think exploring life in a sensory way is the same. My journal entries today are longer and easier to write than my earliest ones. 

My creativity has been sparked. I stood for a long time looking at a piece of art that eventually brought me to tears. I left that, and other similar experiences, feeling a new sense of inspiration. 

There are so many difficult things going on in the world. There is plenty to remind me of this. Noticing beauty brings some equilibrium. I want to experience the wonder of the world ‘and’ work for the kind of justice that will allow others to do the same. 

I don’t know for sure, but will hazard a guess that this process has contributed to time not whizzing by during my sabbatical. As I age, my experience of time seems to speed up. I am grateful to have it slow down. 

What a gift it is to Smell, See, Hear, Taste, Touch. What began as a sabbatical practice is quickly turning into something I hope to continue long after it ends. 

Images of sensory experiences during my sabbatical:

Postscript: Writing is an important part of the way I process, and so I will occasionally share about this sabbatical journey here on my blog. My sabbatical includes a commitment to be intentionally off-line about 98% of the time, and so I look forward to interacting more upon my return in September.