When Research Weighs You Down
Stop, go for a walk and make space to be surprised
I recently spent some time in Washington, DC at the Library of Congress researching for a long-term project. It was beginning to weigh on me mentally, emotionally and physically. The more answers I found to my original questions, the more questions arose with each answer.
That’s the way it is when you delve into the unknown especially when dealing with historical figures. It gets even murkier when dealing with Indigenous historical figures.
Let’s face it, most early authors of history embellished their work into pure fiction to entertain the royal court and those of wealthy peerage. For example, Captain John Smith’s diary reveals multiple versions of facing imminent slaughter by heathens only to be saved by a princess.
I’m fairly sure he probably received a plethora of dinner invitations once that was published.
Others wrote reflectively in a diary or journal with no more intent than to remember their observations and experience for purely scientific and anthropological reasons. Although rare, they appear to be a little more realistic.
Sifting through book titles, authors, documents and other items of interest is for me a little like detective work. By the end of the week I was…
