Niall Doherty's Blog

Momentos: February 16th – February 28... Momentos: March 16th – March 31st, 2018

Momentos: March 1st – March 15th, 2018

MOMENTOS
March 1st – March 15th, 2018

For my monthly challenge I was going to quit writing these Momentos, see how that felt. But I already know the answer: not good. I could go without publishing them for a month, maybe even forever, but I’d miss writing them. They’re a time for reflection, pause and think, conceive and create. Here’s to another five years of this.

Since reading The Big Leap, every time I have a setback I’m left wondering if it was self-sabotage, an act of rebellion by my subconscious. This evening, for example, I cut my finger and subsequently felt all the energy drain out of me. Maybe that was just a random occurrence, or maybe some wiser part of myself knew I needed a break.

The break continues. Quite proud of how I handled it today, actually. Didn’t binge on YouTube or Netflix, didn’t go off the rails with the diet. Mostly just sat around reading all day, went cover to cover on a novel and got to bed at a reasonable hour. Might be getting the hang of this exertion-recovery cycle thing.

A snowy day in Moscow. (March 4th)

Posted by Niall Doherty on Saturday, March 17, 2018

Wrote too soon. Today came the binge. Now it’s almost eleven at night and I’m finally planning my week and freaking out a bit, not sure how I’m going to squeeze everything in before we leave for Spain on Saturday. Loads to do work-wise, behind on a few things now after this weekend wipeout, and a million little errands will surely pop up as we prep for the trip.

Waiting about fifteen minutes in the cold, watching Moscow go to work clearing the roads. It’s impressive how organized they are. Barely a flake falls before it’s swept aside and the people keep moving. Finally she arrives and we walk around to another building at the back, a building I’m not going to write about.

Ever think about all the things that could have killed you but didn’t thanks to modern medicine? I likely would have been dead from a burst appendix, from chronic diarrhea, and surely some cuts that required stitches would have gotten infected. Such thoughts have me appreciating my ancestors all the more. They must have been a hardy bunch.

Woke up to this outside our window this morning in Segovia. Any idea what it is? Thought maybe a funeral at first but that would be a strange coffin.

Posted by Niall Doherty on Sunday, March 11, 2018

Been in Moscow almost a month now, mostly indoors because of the cold and the snow. If I could do it over I’d make more of an effort to get outside, go for walks. There’s a park not too far away. I need less concrete, more green. I spent my childhood breaching ditches, climbing trees, and exploring the countryside. Don’t feel right when I’m away from nature too long.

One way the coaching is already paying dividends: he doesn’t let me forget my vision. I was letting it fade after some deflating experiences last week, but our call today got me back on track. The fact I’m paying him so much helps, too. Can’t ignore what he’s saying when I’ve invested a small fortune.

Did the Enneagram recently. The whole idea of it is that your biggest strength can also be your biggest weakness. I have great attention to detail, but that can become over-analysis and micromanaging. I am very persistent, but that can become stubbornness, banging my head against the wall. What’s your greatest strength? And how might it hold you back?

At the famous Segovia aqueduct.

Don’t think I’m supposed to be driving these old town streets of Segovia. The whole place is a world heritage site. It’s after ten on a Saturday evening and I’m nudging this blue machine through crowds of partygoers and pedestrians, drawing strange looks, no other vehicles in sight. Google Maps tells me to turn right down a flight of steps. I keep going straight and arrive at the feet of a 2000-year-old aqueduct.

Rental car cost €32 for a week. Booked a parking spot for three days in Madrid and that cost €45. Doesn’t make much sense. Happy to pay for the parking though, will save us a lot of time compared to park and ride from the outskirts. The older I get, the more willing I am to pay for convenience. Also, this Parclick company is interesting.

Leaving Segovia, stopped in the shadow of the castle and found a bridge in the woods over the Eresma, enjoyed coffee and coconut cookies bought from an old nun a couple of hours before. Then we spun up to a hill overlooking the town, captured it looking all splendid and ship-like with the sun breaking through and snow-capped mountains behind.

I ❤️ this lady.

Posted by Niall Doherty on Sunday, March 11, 2018

While jumping around Spain these ten days I’m shooting video in various locations, part of a new email series about working online. Aiming to impart some good lessons and showcase the lifestyle. Had a make-shift studio set up in my Airbnb in Madrid today for recording, white sheet covering the window, mirror off the wall lighting one side, laptop propped on a suitcase to glance quickly at my notes.

Finally found a nice pair of shoes that fit me. They’ll replace the old brogs I bought in Mexico City more than three years ago now, been wearing them without laces the past several months. They served me well, almost a shame to throw them out. We’ve been through eighteen countries together, walked many a mile. Gotta be the best shoes I ever owned.

Liking Gretchen Rubin’s “updates” idea (number three here). Starting that with my cousin now. Rubin is so right about the need to build habits that strengthen relationships. The stuff we say is important to us tends to fall by the wayside unless we put some structure around it. Which relationships are important to you? What habits can you build to strengthen them?