I'm slowly returning here, dipping my toes for a time, then retreating, but I'm very glad to have seen and read this. There is a lot to admire here, a lot to recommend--it can be oh-so-very-difficult in our busy late stage-/early post-capitalist societies to actually give yourself the attention you need. It is something I need to consider myself, too, I've felt adrift lately, and I know I need to force myself out into the world once more.
(I'm also excited that, as you think about you, you are also finding your story brings itself to life. This is so often the case, but it requires a LOT of work to get your head to that state, where the story seemingly breathes life into itself when, in actuality, it is merely a reflection of your own work, your own breathing.)
Now time to retreat from Substack again, many thanks for writing and sharing this.
Yes, absolutely! It’s such a battle, it seriously feels like I am fight at times. And I do have to turn down a lot of other things I could be doing. But you’re totally right, if we make the space for it to breathe, the story just comes to life seemingly on its own. It feels like what Anne Lamott said - just witnessing the story and being the designated writer.
Substack is a bit overwhelming at times. It’s so nice to get so much engagement from so many people, but it can swallow a lot of time just “keeping up” with it as almost another chore. It’s an important one, and I intend to try to do as much as I can here, but I also want to prioritize my book as much as possible. Thank you for breaking your substack retreat to read this and reach out ♥️ I appreciate you
Keeping up here is difficult, probably because the conversations I have in this space feed my thoughts in a far richer manner than most others (especially seeing as I barely speak English to anyone in my physical location), so to acknowledge the huge time sink and try to find a way to balance that is very hard indeed.
The last few weeks have been rather difficult, life taking an unexpected turn, with simply no time to read things or talk here, and I have missed the flow of words. It has, however, meant I can readdress my relationship with Substack and time, build on the foundations I set before and try and find balance. Try being the operative word. Probably haven't made things any easier for myself by deciding to also attempt to bring people over from Instagram, after some time away from the platform, but why take the easy road?!
Amen,sister. Bravo. Have you checked out Insight Timer yet? A seemingly endless number of meditations and breath work practices. I do it almost daily now. As to being the lost soul of your family, I just wonder if others may feel like lost souls as well, but do not express it. I am proud of you for moving towards what you need and what makes sense to you.
I have! Insight timer is great. I go through phases of using it often and then not at all for a while though. Amazing that you’re doing it daily now, that’s fantastic. Regular meditation makes a huge difference for me when I do it. And thank you ♥️ I do think a lot of us feel that way, feel more disconnected than we are. But I think we’re actually all really the same. One great thing about writing is we can share that sameness with each other, sometimes with complete strangers, without ever even meeting.
Keep going, it sounds like a good path you are on. Much of what you say resonates with me. Being out of doors has saved my sanity and helped me be myself my whole life.
This topic was a highlight of how my day started and makes for a lovely read to wrap it up! I find myself living my Walden. I read Thoreau’s words last year as i contemplated what direction to go in life. Walking in the woods for hours on end has been where I keep returning to. Even walking the roads in town, leading up to the woods. Leaving the phone at home and loving solitude, time with myself where my mind can relax and wander. Your words rang true, it is exciting to see in your story and the comments I am not alone in subtracting to live simply, getting back to nature and opting out of the productivity is king lifestyle.
You, the black dress and your art on the snowy background is a beautiful creation indeed!
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it. Walking really does feel like it's own kind of magic, especially out in nature. I am so happy you feel the same way!
This all resonates with me so much, thank you for your wise words. I am new to Substack (and do not really know what I am doing yet)!
I am also new to finding creativity in the space that I have found myself in after a bereavement. Walking in nature, with my dog has been one of the most healing things. I have connected with my child-self and started to see the world as I did then, in all its beauty laden with creativity and imagination.
I mainly write poetry (which has been dominated by grief until recently), but am expanding into short prose. This has only happened because I have started to let go of what others expect me to be. I used to work as a teacher so I feel the pressure to be ‘professional’ yet I am happiest when I am simply expressing my thoughts and feelings about the world around me through art. I still feel my own judgement of this not being a ‘real’ job. So this is all new to me right now but having recently stumbled into Substack and beautiful writers like you, I am beginning to unfurl and feel safe to be here and write with freedom 🙏🏼
I'm slowly returning here, dipping my toes for a time, then retreating, but I'm very glad to have seen and read this. There is a lot to admire here, a lot to recommend--it can be oh-so-very-difficult in our busy late stage-/early post-capitalist societies to actually give yourself the attention you need. It is something I need to consider myself, too, I've felt adrift lately, and I know I need to force myself out into the world once more.
(I'm also excited that, as you think about you, you are also finding your story brings itself to life. This is so often the case, but it requires a LOT of work to get your head to that state, where the story seemingly breathes life into itself when, in actuality, it is merely a reflection of your own work, your own breathing.)
Now time to retreat from Substack again, many thanks for writing and sharing this.
Yes, absolutely! It’s such a battle, it seriously feels like I am fight at times. And I do have to turn down a lot of other things I could be doing. But you’re totally right, if we make the space for it to breathe, the story just comes to life seemingly on its own. It feels like what Anne Lamott said - just witnessing the story and being the designated writer.
Substack is a bit overwhelming at times. It’s so nice to get so much engagement from so many people, but it can swallow a lot of time just “keeping up” with it as almost another chore. It’s an important one, and I intend to try to do as much as I can here, but I also want to prioritize my book as much as possible. Thank you for breaking your substack retreat to read this and reach out ♥️ I appreciate you
Thank you, the appreciation is mutual.
Keeping up here is difficult, probably because the conversations I have in this space feed my thoughts in a far richer manner than most others (especially seeing as I barely speak English to anyone in my physical location), so to acknowledge the huge time sink and try to find a way to balance that is very hard indeed.
The last few weeks have been rather difficult, life taking an unexpected turn, with simply no time to read things or talk here, and I have missed the flow of words. It has, however, meant I can readdress my relationship with Substack and time, build on the foundations I set before and try and find balance. Try being the operative word. Probably haven't made things any easier for myself by deciding to also attempt to bring people over from Instagram, after some time away from the platform, but why take the easy road?!
Best get back to my own words.
Amen,sister. Bravo. Have you checked out Insight Timer yet? A seemingly endless number of meditations and breath work practices. I do it almost daily now. As to being the lost soul of your family, I just wonder if others may feel like lost souls as well, but do not express it. I am proud of you for moving towards what you need and what makes sense to you.
I have! Insight timer is great. I go through phases of using it often and then not at all for a while though. Amazing that you’re doing it daily now, that’s fantastic. Regular meditation makes a huge difference for me when I do it. And thank you ♥️ I do think a lot of us feel that way, feel more disconnected than we are. But I think we’re actually all really the same. One great thing about writing is we can share that sameness with each other, sometimes with complete strangers, without ever even meeting.
Honest and insightful, in the beauty of the northern forest.
Thanks for sharing. There is definitely need for more silence inside of us— to change us before the outer world.
Thank you, I am so glad you liked it. And I definitely agree
Keep going, it sounds like a good path you are on. Much of what you say resonates with me. Being out of doors has saved my sanity and helped me be myself my whole life.
Thank you! I absolutely agree, it is my best medicine and coping mechanism.
This topic was a highlight of how my day started and makes for a lovely read to wrap it up! I find myself living my Walden. I read Thoreau’s words last year as i contemplated what direction to go in life. Walking in the woods for hours on end has been where I keep returning to. Even walking the roads in town, leading up to the woods. Leaving the phone at home and loving solitude, time with myself where my mind can relax and wander. Your words rang true, it is exciting to see in your story and the comments I am not alone in subtracting to live simply, getting back to nature and opting out of the productivity is king lifestyle.
You, the black dress and your art on the snowy background is a beautiful creation indeed!
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it. Walking really does feel like it's own kind of magic, especially out in nature. I am so happy you feel the same way!
Absolutely great life philosophy & gorgeous photos to complement it. Bravo, inspirational as always!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for being here and reading it ☺️
This all resonates with me so much, thank you for your wise words. I am new to Substack (and do not really know what I am doing yet)!
I am also new to finding creativity in the space that I have found myself in after a bereavement. Walking in nature, with my dog has been one of the most healing things. I have connected with my child-self and started to see the world as I did then, in all its beauty laden with creativity and imagination.
I mainly write poetry (which has been dominated by grief until recently), but am expanding into short prose. This has only happened because I have started to let go of what others expect me to be. I used to work as a teacher so I feel the pressure to be ‘professional’ yet I am happiest when I am simply expressing my thoughts and feelings about the world around me through art. I still feel my own judgement of this not being a ‘real’ job. So this is all new to me right now but having recently stumbled into Substack and beautiful writers like you, I am beginning to unfurl and feel safe to be here and write with freedom 🙏🏼