This week I've been attempting to untangle theories of identity and belonging alongside completing a long-deferred job of painting the kitchen cupboards. The work of sanding, priming, undercoating and painting has provided some light relief when my mind just wouldn't absorb or process any more. Now I'm realising that each stage of the painting job - and the necessary waiting period in between - has punctuated my very slow progress towards what might, eventually, be a paper for my next supervision. I'm learning the value of slow thinking. I've allowed myself to be challenged, confused (and bored) by my reading then got the paintbrush out and given myself the space for my thoughts to sift, review, connect. Painting is well suited to this process - it's rhythmic, repetitive and, in contrast to my reading, something which shows clear and usually satisfying results relatively quickly!
Apparently Barack Obama is a slow thinker, although I'm guessing he doesn't use the kitchen cupboard method.
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