Russell Square Gardens

One of my favourite places is Russell Square Gardens.

Its about five minutes from the office, and is a quiet green space in the middle of the busy London streets. There’s lots of open spaces, with benches to sit on, and a pizza place.

I first discovered it in the autumn, when I was missing trees and wanted some nature after a busy and stressful day at work. I loved wandering through and exploring, feeling and sensing nature, with a cup of coffee in hand and cake in my bag, seeing the colours of autumn in their beauty, and watching the squirrels dart up branches. I would find a bench, sip my coffee, and have some time to myself, to reflect on the day, to reset and recharge, and even dream about story ideas. It became a ritual, after long days in the office. So much so that I became a regular at the local Costa, and in the park. It was a small treat, a reward to myself for making it through long meetings, something I looked forward to. 

Yesterday, I tried something new with this ritual. I do meditation exercises every day, to calm my mind, usually at home. Or on the train, if I’m headed to a meeting.

But yesterday, I decided not to do that there. I stopped at Kings Cross, for a cappuccino and a cinnamon bun. I made it to Russell Square early, the coffee seeping through gloves, the scent of fresh coffee grounding me, making the Underground less of a challenge. I went to Russell Square Gardens, found a bench, and ate my cake.

I did my meditation outside, in the park, and it was wonderful. I usually visualise a forest in my mind when meditating, as it helps calm me down, and really charges me up for the day with its sounds and smells. But yesterday, I had the forest around me, its sounds and smells really embracing me, and I let the trees seep into my mind, as I listened to Norse music with my headphones. I closed my eyes, in my own bubble, and continued my practice, meeting Odin in my mind by the sea and throwing my worries in the water, as the birds sung and the branches rustled. And I’ve never felt such peace. Such serenity. Such completeness. It was incredible. The only time close to that feeling was when I meditated beside Stonehenge. It was as if all my anxieties and worries melted away, and nothing could bother or upset me, my racing mind quietening and slowing down.

In truth, it was bliss. Pure, sheer bliss. Pure contentment.

It was like I was riding a floating cloud, of calm serenity, and I rode it into the meeting. My meeting went better because of it, my words flowing more easily, my questions asked, points raised, contributions made. I even managed new environments, restaurants and tube stations with little issue.

It really made my day. I’m glad I did it. And I’m thinking of doing it again, for every meeting in the office.