This whole ‘keep it light-hearted’ pre-New Year resolve thing is - like all false promises to improve yourself by dint of willpower alone - challenging. 

Especially when the commentary is work related. And yet, around every corner (and as the web doesn’t have actual corners, not being real) comes news to me about a Dutch ‘cure’ - well, mediation on. It’s no more a ‘cure’ than aromatherapy - to stress that might well prove of great value for designers.

Now, first off, my idea of a simple Dutch-based remedy for all things tension-related begins and ends with their invention of Gin (not recommended btw) but apparently there’s a even more bracing approach, captured in the word ‘uitwaaien’ or ‘outblowing’ (which is another of those wonderful not-quite-translatable words that capture an entire realm of emotions in a few syllables) - or rather, out-in-the-blowing. 

Exercise in the wind (clearly a Dutch thing, with very little geological to temper the blusters) being the very thing to clear the mind. 

I have a similar notion - but from where I have no idea - of getting out helps blow away the cobwebs (mental and metaphoric)

And I can’t think of a better description - or reason - to step out of the studio and get some fresh air into your thoughts. 

As a way of clearing your mind. 

Outblowing, like whale exhaling. 

Quite a powerful metaphor for expelling all the negative energy and embracing your own bit of clear ‘blue space’. 

So next time you’re a bit stuck, rather than just sighing in resignation or switching to a Juniper-based blow out, try a bit of out-blowing. Go on! Make like a whale!