Watermelon Monthly Wrap #5

Tim and I on our last day in our local stomping ground “Finsbury Park” in London on a crisp blue sky day

Hello Sweet WatermelonZ,

I am very late on this wrap from Jan but better late than never I say!

Today on the 19th Feb, I am reflecting on the first month of 2023.

It was a bittersweet month, filled with goodbyes as Tim and I got ready to leave London.

The end of a chapter and the start of a new one…. buuuut more on that in the next wrap.

Below is picture of Westminster Abbey, I went for the Evensong on the last Thursday of the month. Find all the info here. In all my time in London, I had never got a chance to see the Abbey…

My oh my, did it blow me away.

I felt emotional at the beauty of the space. Standing right in the middle of this gothic immensity, I felt insignificant, in the best of ways. I felt I was part of something much grander and greater than myself and was utterly humbled by the Gothic architecture, the detailed artwork, the silence that felt so sacred and, when the choir boys began to sing, tears fell from my eyes, it was enchanting.

LISTENING

A podcast that stood out for me last month was “How to Stop Procrastinating and Overcome Self Sabotage” from Season 9 of The Food Medic Hazel Wallace’s Podcast.

Listen here on Spotify. I suffer with procrastination when something feels hard and I will be incorporating some tips from this episode for sure, here’s to less procrastinating in 2023.

“We procrastinate when we are unable to regulate our emotions and when we have little self control”

-Nawal Mustafa

GRATITUDE

I am grateful for my time in London, the people I’ve met, Third Space (the gym I worked in) and everyone connected with that beautiful and encouraging environment. I am grateful for the old friends and the new and all the adventures that await.

READING

Last month I started reading “The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and your children will be glad you did)” by Philippa Perry. An insightful and helpful read. Useful for all relationship in my opinion, not just child-parent. Thanks for the tips Philippa Perry, so much to reflect on and how we imprint our habits and anxieties on our children and how to prevent our traumas and fears from entering into the minds of those around us and those we hold influence over.

TASTING

My food highlight from the month was Barrafina in London with my amazing friend Claire. My last food experience before I left the big smoke! It did not disappoint. In fact, I am still thinking about it!

EVENT OF THE MONTH

Definitely Evensong at Westminster Abbey! https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/regular-services/evensong

Check it out, whether you are religious or not, if you are in London you cannot miss this beautiful (and free!) event.

My legend colleagues Jay, Sophie & I trying some three-person acro moves.

I miss all my collegues at Third Space a lot… and doing fun things with them!! Usually involving some sweat or challenge haha

A lovely man named Oscar who transported our life in boxes to our new city! A significant moment.

PIECE OF THE WEEK

As for my piece of the week, I wanted to draw attention to the cycles of life as I move to a different city as winter does its work, prepping for spring. I look outside this crisp February day and I read some E.E. Cummings. The rhtyhm of reading his words aloud makes me feel less alone.

POEM: ANYONE LIVED IN A PRETTY HOW TOWN
-

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did.

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone’s any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

-E.E. Cummings

Thanks for reading. Now I invite you to ask yourself…

What do you feel grateful for? What did you enjoy last month?

Email me or DM me to let me know last week’s highlights.

Instagram @ Watermelon_Fitness_And_Yoga

Email @ watermelonfitness2020@gmail.com

Power to you,

Romana x