Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the most difference.
I was thinking about this the other day when I was sitting in my office, shivering in the draft coming from the door. I was wearing warm pants, wool socks, and a handknit sweater (made by yours truly) … but I was still cold. The frigid air outside was giving the heating system a run for its money.
So, I added a lace shawl and a pair of pulse warmers to the mix. Pulse warmers, or wristlets, are basically knitted tubes that fit over your wrists. Some are longer than others. Some are fingerless gloves, covering most of the arm from elbow to fingertips. But mine are short–about 3″ wide–and look almost like bracelets.
But, poof, in about 5 minutes, I felt warm. That little extra bit of lace around my neck, and a snug warmth over my wrists, and I wasn’t cold any longer.
The theory is that keeping your pulse points warm will trick your body into thinking all of it is warm. Something about your system then thinks that the extremities are warm, or that it encourages blood flow. I don’t entirely understand the science about it.
I just know that this simple thing can help me feel warm when it’s cold.
This, in turn, made me think about writing … the little things that can help the process along, even though they seem so small as to be inconsequential.
- A sharp pencil point or a well-inked, non-blotting pen that fits comfortably in your hand.
- A computer with a responsive keyboard. A monitor that is without glare and of sufficient size.
- A comfortable chair that’s supportive without being so relaxing that you fall asleep.
- A desk that’s just the right height.
- A room or office with just the right amount of light, just the right temperature, just the right amount of background noise.
Keeping the pulse points warm is like providing a warm and cozy place for your Muse to ease the writing along its way.
The only thing missing from the list above is some freshly ground french press coffee!
Maybe one of these days I’ll knit myself a lace shawl instead of my polarfleece ruana – sounds much more inspiring.
Coffee! Good point!
And, yes, handknit lace is definitely more inspiring than polarfleece (grin).
Isn’t it the truth? Having a comfortable environment, decent equipment, and the right supplies sure makes all the difference. By the way, I LOVE those pulse warmers! I will have to show my mom and see if she can make me a pair 😉 I make it a point to wear a scarf and arm warmers or fingerless gloves when it’s really cold inside (or out). Warming those pulse points definitely helps.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..When Writers Blog
Thank you–I love those pulse warmers, too. I’m biased, though, because I spun the yarn (50% merino wool, 50% silk) and then knitted them myself with my own design. (If, you know, a knitted tube with a stitch pattern counts as “design.”) They’re my favorites, though!
I can recommend pulse warmers, too. Got a pair of self-knitted ones from my friend, and every time I use them I think of her… Another recommendation is a mug of chai tea, black tea with cinnamon, pepper and other spices. Gets your really warm in a few seconds!
Hot beverages in general, but spicy ones in particular. Good point!
–Deb’s last blog post..Curse-Breaking
I wish I could watch you spin some yarn! After reading all those fairy tales as a child, I’ve long wondered how exactly that is done.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Flash Your Fiction: Writing Exercises
It’s not ME, but for the concept …
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/spinTech-inchworm.shtml
Actually, I was thinking of writing a post about some of the fun WORDS connected to spinning. Niddy Noddy. Nupp. Copp. Mother of All. How mohair yarn comes from angora goats, but angora yarn comes from bunnies. Whoever made up the craft sure had fun with the vocabulary!