I always thought it was just one of those pithy sayings. Here to confirm it’s true.
I used to live in a place called Tonbridge, which sits in the River Medway valley, near the North Downs. Winter would come early, summer would come late, and it was generally quite bleak for eight months a year. Granted it was very beautiful, green and lush countryside, but on the bleak days that same thick lush beauty could become very oppressive. It seemed to affect everyone’s mood, because when I say I lived amongst some of the most dour and crabby people… JR and I used to refer to their expression as “the Tonbridge smile” – which is to say, not a smile at all.
I think changing your life starts with changing the way you see life – and that’s definitely what has happened since I moved to the Essex coastline back in February.
Something about living on the Thames Estuary feels exciting and vibrant; the horizon seems wider somehow, like taking off blinders. It’s a working coastline so it’s always busy – cockle boats and cargo ships go back and forth every day, plenty of boats, a yearly regatta – always something to look at, and to remind you of the vastness beyond your little home on this Earth.
I think that seafaring spirit translates to the people as well. There’s a really charming brashness here that warms my heart and makes me feel like things are possible – a belief that for some reason is hard to come by in England. Why? I have no idea. Perhaps a discussion for a different post.
In any case, the seven or so months I’ve lived in Essex have seen me publish my cartoons in a local satirical newspaper, start a children’s creative club, and make significant headway on my next graphic novel. As well as execute lots of exciting little moves in between these larger ones. I can’t explain why, but the cogs are just turning more smoothly now. Something in the water? And lest you should say, oh Sam, you’re simply maturing as an artist! may I also add that it’s not just me. JR has out of nowhere found what and how he wants to paint, taken up residence in a little corner of the studio, and secured not one but two art shows this year. If his unsure and unfocused Tonbridge self could see him now!
All this to say, if you ever wondered whether the place you live influences the way you live (and you’d only ever heard anecdotal evidence) I’m here to tell you that it absolutely does.
And that’s the ramble for today.
This blog post first appeared, with video and audio content, on whatgoesinmustcomeout.substack.com
