Mary Eynon

Interdisciplinary Artist and Maker

The time between

The time between

Walking for many is the time between; time between activities or marker points in the day. Walking is the method to or from a place, the running of errands. This time is often classed as a waste; it is filled and occupied by earphones covering the sound of nature, mobiles showing a virtual reality in reality. The capability to appreciate this unorganised time, to make use of something useless, is fading along with the desire to be outside. So much goes unnoticed when our minds are so deep in technology. There is indescribable difference between seeing in the flesh and seeing on a screen. But this longing to be outside is vanishing before our eyes that we do not use. The time between can be used to unclutter our minds and process our thoughts, not bombard it with more information. This time can become useful but only if we allow it.

What is the beginning of a walk? First the thought of destination occurs or the thought of going seeking for one. Muscles contract and release, pulling one of two sturdy supports forward. These supporting pillars hold up our frame, carrying our minds forwards. One heel touches the surface then the other support swings into position. The whole weight of the body shifts, balancing momentarily for contemplation on the toes before it pushes on. One swing from the back pillar flows smoothly through to another, then another and soon a steady rhythm begins, a drum beat, the rhythm of walking.

While wandering the body and mind work together and thinking almost becomes physicality, a rhythmic act. Each walk, each path taken, is movement through space and time as if a needle and thread sewing fabric into a continuous experience; never ending, always growing and evolving. I suspect and it feels to me, as if walking and the mind work in sync together. Like clogs in clockwork they function together ticking over at the same pace and speed as each other. The speed that I walk, roughly 3 mph I would say, would then suggest that the world around me is moving too fast. All these shortcuts that can be taken, the vast growing technologies to cut corners, all speed up life but perhaps too fast. Walkers create their own paths to shorten time and get somewhere quicker; machines are replacing human work, but maybe, just maybe, this all too quick and not allowing us time to use our minds, not allowing is to utilise the time between.

So when I am out walking, I can enjoy the rhythmic pace and the ability to control the speed I wander. I can process my thoughts thoroughly not being pressed for time. Without this busy cutting corners attitude, I can relish the environment I am in as well as the information my mind is containing.

149 thoughts on “The time between”

  13. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  83. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

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