Lenten Reflections #25
Back in the 90s, I took a photography class at the Smithsonian Institute in DC. We learned about aperture, shutter speed, and focal length, and worked in the darkroom, where I watched my underexposed photos turn into dark, indistinguishable images. We learned to use negatives in printing and practiced the rule of thirds, teaching us to think about composition rather than just pointing at the subject. I soaked in all the knowledge and went home each week thrilled to capture the world with my Canon AE-1 35mm.
Our first homework assignment was to make a pinhole camera to teach us the basics of photography and how light travels in straight lines to form inverted, real images. I followed the instructions carefully, using only the essentials: a box, a hole, and light.
I remember fishing out my Asics Kayano shoebox — my favorite running shoes — from under the bed, spraying it with black paint inside and out, and using a small pin from my sewing box to make a tiny hole to let the light in. I marveled at the simplicity of it all, wondering how an image could truly be captured through such a tiny stream of light. There was no clutter, no rushing—just find your image and be patient. I carefully set the camera on the slightly rusty roof of my 1986 Pontiac Sunbird, chose my shot, and waited.
This simple act of minimizing the tools used to capture an image created space for me to take a more thoughtful approach to the medium. Some photos turned out better than others, but with fewer choices to make (set it and wait), the process seemed to bring more clarity and intentionality.
WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
My story of the pinhole camera came up last week when I was doing 317 things at once (not well). My brain was functioning more like today’s digital cameras on burst mode, spitting out 20-40 full-resolution photos per minute.
ALL THAT CLUTTER!
Mental clutter is debilitating, leaving us unfocused, unproductive, and exhausted.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how many of us fill our days to the brim. We say yes to jobs we truly know we don’t have time for, yet saying “no” seems harder than the work itself. Cars become offices. We drive and text, eat, make appointments, and take calls. Kids are rushed from school to soccer practice to piano lessons, and we run or exercise with the constant drone of something in our ears.
Inside that clutter living in our heads, some subsets follow: kitchen clutter, drawer clutter, car clutter, food clutter, closet clutter, clothes clutter, and, and, and…
FIX IT!
In my research on mental clutter, I found that overcommitment and muddled minds lead to negativity and exhaustion.
So, to combat the mental clutter, I am listing five user-friendly ways to declutter your mind:
- Clean and clear your physical space – purge and spruce up! Don’t just shove the things you don’t use into the attic, basement, or a closet. Get rid of it. Someone, somewhere, needs it more than your attic.
- Set your priorities – know what your values are and how your goals for the day, month, or year matter. Make a list and stay focused.
- Reject regret – Focus on right now, this moment. Don’t dwell on yesterday; let go and move on. Tomorrow is waiting patiently.
- Control your digital diet – My friend’s son canceled his Xfinity account the other day, and as he was barraged with questions about why and whether he should try another package, maybe add his cell phone to the plan to get the bundle deal, he responded by saying, “I am replacing Xfinity with books. Lots and lots of books.” The Customer Service Agent said, “I love books too, let’s get this canceled.”
- Pray, meditate, worship, or just breathe – you know why. It is your truth.
WHAT I LEARNED:
Decluttering your mind begins with the same concepts as designing a pinhole camera. Start with simplicity and intention, then be patient with yourself; we, too, have long exposure times.
Thanks for joining me.
I’m so glad you’re here,
Lucretia
runonmom.com 