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Going to an exhibition and giving the brain a rest

— by Alyson Walsh

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Royal Academy photo: Guardian

Did you hear Christiane Amanpour on Desert Island Discs? (Brilliant – and still available to listen to, HERE). The former war correspondent, now CNN anchor and chief international correspondent was talking about balancing work and life. When work involved reporting from a war zone: taking holidays, surrounding herself with love and giving her brain a rest was the balance technique she employed.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Journalist Christiane Amanpour poses for a photo during the premiere of "In the Land of Blood and Honey" at the School of Visual Arts on December 5, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Christiane Amanpour  (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Which is what I plan to do today. Mr That’s Not My Age has a day off, and after a book-writing blitz this week, I’m taking an impromptu break, too. I need to give my brain a rest and go and be inspired. The Abstract Expressionism exhibition at the Royal Academy should do the trick and then possibly another look at the excellent Georgia O’Keefe exhibition at Tate Modern. We might even take in some Frieze Art Fair stuff and buy a new toaster, on the way. Living it up.

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Did you hear Christiane Amanpour on Desert Island Discs? (Brilliant – and still available to listen to, HERE).