Wwp has been promoted! After more than 15 years of writing the fitness pages at the rear of this fine publication, my column has slowly worked its way to the front end of The Leither (my preferred end). Also, even though the day job is wellbeing I’ve warped into Writer without portfolio (Wwp). Again, this suits me fine. No idea what it means, but portfolio-less, here we go…

Disassociation for the Nation

Floating on the ceiling, you watch the scene unfold below. Disassociation is a powerful psychological tool; mentally taking yourself out of your body to get through a traumatic time. You view what’s going on as an observer, and it can become a habit. It’s something many of us have done in the past and are doing right now.

Mentally removing ourselves from our community, thinking “not my problem”. The physical environment of Leith is a bit of a mess, nicer to look at Instagram on the phone whilst traversing the lumpy footpath. Ironically, the online world many are choosing to retreat to is where dramas of the world are sensationalised, and then amplified. It is not a peaceful world to retreat to.

Wandering around Leith Walk most people are chained to their smartphones. All looking down, no eye contact. Except the older folk. Thank goodness for the wrinkle’s! Seriously though, why are we disassociating ourselves from our physical surroundings? Is it a coping strategy?

Therein lies the problem, if it’s ‘not my problem’ for everyone, what will happen to the physical entity of the Republic of Leith? The sandstone and crumbling mortar? Will we simply be an eBike hub to fast food and dark kitchens? With an increasing population of short term residents living in boxes with no kitchens ordering Deliveroo every day? These thoughts whirl around my mind as I walk.

Relax, Nothing is Under Control

Take a breath. Bringing yourself back into your body means looking around and seeing, no, not everything is perfect. The world is going nuts. War and killing are normalised. But we are (relatively) safe in Leith. We are not a war zone. Even though things are certainly not perfect, we must adapt to thrive.

Mindfulness is a buzzword for something that has existed for centuries, the art of Zen living. Being in the moment is an important part of being Zen. Being aware of the here and now. Being aware of the here. Being aware. Being. Just. Being.

Part of Zen is appreciating life. Understanding that our time here is a brief miracle to be enjoyed. The easy way to appreciate life is to look for small everyday things that please you. Spontaneous Sock Sorting, where you pair up your socks just on a whim, to find all the lonely socks. Listening to the blackbird singing in the back garden. Tending a plant that is growing. A pet snoozing on your lap. Chatting with a neighbour. Connection with our nature. Sleep.

The Cloud Appreciation Society

Staring at clouds can be hypnotising. We spend so much time looking down, it’s good to look up. It’s a scientifically proven mood boost. Watching the clouds scoot across the summer sky, just how blowy is it? A meteorological internet black hole opens before me. I browse online clouds before gazing out the window at real clouds again. After a good chunk of online procrastination, I come up for air in the real world, having just signed up as member 65,398 of the cloudappreciationsociety.org

It’s official, I’m now a certified cloud spotter, awaiting my membership certificate and enamel pin badge. ‘Cloud of the day’ wings its way to my Inbox everyday now.

So, if you’re feeling down, get out and look up. If you’re looking around, you’re more likely to see someone you know for a wee blether about the weather. We’re lucky in Scotland, we have such a variety of clouds. Blue skies are boring, nothing to look at.

Let’s embrace our Scottish summer, enjoy being able to get outdoors and not get sunburned to a crisp. Nothing is perfect, and neither are we, but we can enjoy our imperfections. Even celebrate them.

You’ll find me looking at the sky on Leith Walk and trying not to trip over the dog.

P.S. Look out for Tracy and Coco the Fitness Pug’s appearance in Constantine Costi’s warm and beautifully crafted documentary, The Golden Spurtle, at the Edinburgh Film Festival.

Bluesky: @tracygriffen

www.griffenfitness.com