Hi Gina! Oh I'm so glad you said so. I just keep thinking about it. It really struck a deep chord with me. I keep coming back to the scene where she admits to her student what her relationship with Leo really is and tells her that perusing pleasure is worthwhile and the scene where he asks her to dance and of course the last scene. What did you love about it?
I’ve always struggled with intimacy…often feeling like an object in an exchange of obligations…I suppose it’s his tenderness and her vulnerability that really touched me….oh and the dance…wow, yes. Thank you for reminding me of its beauty. I’m going to watch it again this weekend.
PS: “I’ve decided one way to combat this is to go looking for the good. Or at least pay 99% of my attention to life itself, right in front of me, and only 1% to what is going on in the world that I cannot control.” THIS. YES. SAME. 💕
I’m so moved and honoured that my tiny act of courage in the comments last week sparked your courage with this post! Wow, when we’re brave and vulnerable we can change lives.
I’m so glad you didn’t delete the part about the movie because I just watched it and it’s MAGNIFICENT. The last scene especially. YES to an older woman being paired with a younger man for a change. I’m struck by how Leo helped Nancy accept herself - her body and her desires. Her wanting. For me, at least in this light, the movie not only reframes aging bodies - it also reframes sex work as something not shameful but sacred. THANK YOU for recommending it!!
Also I love this letter to your readers and how you build genuine connection. 💕 Thanks Jocelyn!
Oooooh Monika, this, "when we’re brave and vulnerable we can change lives." We never know how just one (what we think is little) thing might change one or ten or million other things. ❤️
And it made me all teary - that you watched and thought it was magnificent. I've got chills all over. I watched it by myself and when I saw her standing there in front of the mirror in the last scene and there was this half a moment where I thought, No, she's not going to do it. And then she did and I gasped and just watched in awe. It was such a defiant moment. I just hardly have words and I feel honored to have witnessed that act of bravery and self love and also indebted in the best way to Thompson for doing that. She spoke for so many women in this movie and in that moment. (trying not to give away the end lol)
And yes, I was struck too by how honoring Leo was of her experience in her body both in the past and the present. Yes! That too about sex work being sacred. I love that it brought that concept to the forefront as well. That sex and being desired and desiring is all sacred, but we've put so much shame and guilt onto it.
Thank you so much for this too, "Also I love this letter to your readers and how you build genuine connection." I remember years ago sitting in a group and someone else got praised for being vulnerable and I was like, I'm being vulnerable, I'm here (and at the time, that WAS vulnerable for me, just showing up in a group.) And it's little moments and acts like yours that showed me how to be vulnerable in a way that others can see and feel. It's been a long learning process and practice for me, and I feel very seen that you said this. So thank you too, my sweet friend. ❤️🙏
Right? That last scene (ha, I started typing “seen”) is so powerful - both for Nancy the character and Emma the actor. The vulnerability, the courage, the self-acceptance. It’s just…wow. “I feel honored to have witnessed” - yes. I’m enjoying watching the actor interviews now. Emma’s message about not wasting our precious time and money on hating our aging bodies is exactly what I need to hear now. Also there’s one interview where she describes Leo’s character as a “sex carer.” Love that.
Speaking of Leo, have you watched Bad Sisters? Another excellent series. Daryl McCormack plays an interesting character in it. That as well. Highly recommend. (CW: domestic violence.)
And aw, I’m glad you felt seen by my comment. I remember you jumping in to support me with some hard letters from love on Liz’s substack and I appreciate it so much. What you’re creating here feels like an extension of that - warm, vulnerable, powerful, beautiful. 💕
I haven't watched any interviews with Emma yet, but I'm looking forwards to seeing what she says about both herself and Nancy in this role. And thank you for the tip on Bad Sisters, I'll have to check it out.
I love that you felt supported by me. That means more than I can really put into words. And wow! an extension of Liz's space. That too just feels incredible. Thank you so much for saying both of those things. "warm, vulnerable, powerful, beautiful." that's exactly what I am trying to do and you just put it into such gorgeous language. xoxoxo
Beautiful, and brave! There’s so much here, and I will now watch that movie! We are allowed to enjoy and want and want different things, fictional and real. Those shoulds and shouldn’ts are so LOUD. Even in the noticing and the writing about what I am noticing, the reach for a metaphor is its own kind of should— “you should really compare that to something else so people know what you really mean.” As if my own senses and words are not enough! There’s so much shame attached to those shoulds, implying we are not enough. And when things look hopeless it is easy to succumb to that feeling of helplessness and inadequacy. But as you say, we have the power of attention, love, and knowing the world may not be kind but we can be. And that is really the only thing we can control. Look at you leap and fly! So excited for you.
Oh Emily, this, "As if my own senses and words are not enough!" I know exactly what you mean - in fact this morning during my shimmers and shards practice, I was having the hardest time not using a simile and then I just finally said to myself, just look at the thing. What does it LOOK like? :) I also love this permission to want different things, fictional and real. LOVE that. Leaping and flying right alongside you! 💓🪁
“Just Look at the thing!” This is me!! Even the language to describe describing it implies a simile! How does it look, look like. Maybe we need to ask- “what do I see?” Instead?? Will try that next time. Language is so sneaky the way it binds us up before it leaves our pen or mouth!
Hahaha! You of course would catch the simile in the very question! I love love love your attention to words. LOVE it. And this, What do I see. Now THAT is a question with real power. I love how this ties right back to feeling like our experience of a thing isn't enough, but this, this question makes it enough, doesn't it? OOooh chills in the best way!
And yes to this, beautifully put, "Language is so sneaky the way it binds us up before it leaves our pen or mouth!" the subconscious that sneaks into everything. This is why I love rewriting so much. It's the chance to suss those things out and find the "seeing" instead.
Yes!!! What would it be like to watch this movie in a room full of women? Eeeee. I would be terrified (oh the vulnerability) and also it could be magical.
There was so much to love about this film, here’s what’s still rolling around in my heart a few morning later.
How Leo calmly stated “Nancy” each time her anxiety spun her around the room. Her “list” and the urgent need to cross of positions off it. The dance and how she finally succumbs. Stepping out of her shame and secret when she verbalizes the truth to the restaurant server. I think that admission sets her up to accept herself, and in so doing, allows for her to be free to finally orgasm, by herself, for herself, without needing another person or positions or toys. Her naked reflection in the mirror is brilliant as she finally accepts all of herself.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I will be recommending to others too!!!
I too, loved that. And can still hear him and see him smile at her and just say, Nancy. I loved that about it, thank you for pointing that out. I also loved how he told her more than once that her body was beautiful and that she was allowed to think that it was beautiful. And the orgasm scene. Ohmygosh, how gorgeous and affirming was that? It's as if this movie were written by a woman and directed by a woman for women. ;) I just, that last scene. I just keep seeing it and being in wonder and the daring and the bravery and then I catch myself and think, you know I want that to feel normal. Not brave or daring. Just normal for a woman to love her body.
I'm SO glad you didn't delete the movie bit! I haven't watched it, but you've piqued my curiosity as someone who VERY rarely ever watches movies! :)
I'm glad you pushed through and posted it anyway. ♥
Thank you for the mention as well! I love leaving comments under your work! And also thank you for bringing back Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends to the forefront of my mind! I haven't looked or thought about that book since elementary school, and now I wanna revisit it (maybe with Silverstein himself reading it for now!).
Oh sweet Cierra, thank you so much for this comment! I love that you're curious now especially because you don't watch movies so much. It's such a beautiful, quiet, but utterly moving movie. I cannot wait to her what you think if you do watch it! Please come back and tell me!! ❤️
Oooh Shel. You are SO welcome! I have adored him forever. I started collecting storybooks several years ago and though I have lost my original copy, that I too had in elementary school, I bought another one and page through it from time to time, and this poem never looses it's power.
You are so so welcome and I'm so glad you popped back in here. I love hearing your thoughts and experiences. So thank you right back!
The comment section is just as nourishing as reading your writings! You're absolutely welcome! :)
I'll let you know what I think if I watch it! I've got a long way to go with this unpacking, but hoping to be pretty much done by the end of this week! Haha. Then I can move on with my life and leisure time! I'm gonna see if the Libby app has a cop of Shel too! I've added his work to my leisure activities I get to enjoy once I'm settled in!
Thank YOU! It's always a treat chatting back and forth with you and seeing you on here! 🤩♥
You’re succeeding at it!! And thank you! I see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hopefully this weekend will be it. Shel shall get me through ♥️ Haha
Lovely post today, Jocelyn! Both with the Campbel quote" We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." and "Listen to the Mustn'ts" by Shel Silverstein. Letting go of the big things, the little things, the easy things and the hard things, can be both terrifying and exhilarating! For me I find, the more I practice letting go, the easier it becomes. I first had to let go of the image I had of myself in the life I had envisioned (which meant blowing up a marriage and career) and then stand in the naked truth of who I was/am (the terrifying part) to find my authentic self and life which I could have never imagined! (the exhilarating part). As Shel closes his poem, "Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be". I am proof that anything is possible. And the truth of it is, we let go of everything when our life ends so best to start building the letting go muscles sooner than later. :)
On another note, I saw in a comment on today's WITD classified post that you asked for feedback on workshops in the chat (which a couple of people responded to you, including me) and that you had a hard time getting back to find that chat. Several of us recommended The Writing Room Collective conference in October. C. Dawn Allan summed it up the best which I have posted below. I 100% agree with everything she wrote as I too am a member of A Writing Room. Would happily share more with you if interested.
"I joined A Writing Room Collective and it has changed my life completely, both personally as a writer. The annual retreat is coming up in October and you can either attend in person in California or virtually on Zoom. I attended virtually last year and I felt like I was there. The engagement through break out groups and chat transforms us from watching to participating. The link for the October 2024 conference is here: https://awritingroom.com/retreat24/?
And if you are interested in joining A Writing Room, the link is here: https://a-writing-room.mn.co/share/YAfWlLvZdbvSl495. We have Silent Writing almost daily, sometimes twice a day with different members of the group leading the sessions. We have classes with Jacob Nordby, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, and more. We even have an editor from Penguin books who joins us once a month and reviews work from 5-7 members. There is Feedback Fridays monthly too, where our beta reader gives us feedback. We have groups that meet by genre, including nonfiction monthly. Also, we have a huge library of past classes, group meetups, and much more. Come join us! They even have a class on Substack!
Hi Lisa! I love this, "I first had to let go of the image I had of myself in the life I had envisioned (which meant blowing up a marriage and career)" I've been there too. Though my blow up was a slow burn that was driven more by my subconscious at first. And this really hit home for me, "And the truth of it is, we let go of everything when our life ends so best to start building the letting go muscles sooner than later. :)" Something about this has been seeping into my bones since I read it last night--too late to respond coherently :) This is so powerful. We let go of everything at the end of life, and what if we had that mindset moving through life-- not a new concept, I know, but the way you said it made it seem very attainable. To just have a lens on things that it's all transient, which both helps hold on tighter in the present and let go, a dance between the two, all the time. How gorgeous.
As for The Writing Room, thank you! I've come across this before, so it's great to have such a strong endorsement. I just don't want to get overwhelmed-I'm trying to be really conscious of only taking on what I can really engage with. I've got WITD and I'm in one other group right now with Beth Kempton, but I really love everything that AWR offers. So I'm going to sit with it for a bit.
When you did the TWR conference virtually, were you on zoom all day? How did that work? I so so so appreciate the recommendation and the thoughts on the post. ;) xoxoxo❤️🙏
"a lens on things that it's all transient" - YES to this Jocelyn! Everything is impermanent. Letting go has been a work in progress for me, some days are better than others. Surrendering and accepting what is is such hard work sometime. A practice that I started about a month ago is to ask myself this question each morning - What do I need to let go of today, what needs to die in me, so I can live a good life now? This simple question has been transformative! I found myself letting go of things I believed about myself and others, emotions that don't serve me in the moment, worries about things I have no control over etc.
As for AWR, I didn't attend the conference last year (the comments were from another WITDer who is also a member of AWR) but plan to this year. I totally understand overwhelm! I too only have two arenas I am engaged in - WITD and AWR. Anyway, I'm excited to keep expanding my mind and writing skills with everything Jeannine had in the pipeline for us. Looking forward to Strange Containers, WITD School and then camp next summer! Hopefully I'll meet in IRL at camp! :)
Lisa, this was so powerful for me, "What do I need to let go of today, what needs to die in me, so I can live a good life now? This simple question has been transformative! I found myself letting go of things I believed about myself and others, emotions that don't serve me in the moment" thank you so much for sharing. I often (okay, basically every day) wake up with a little bit of anxiety, not usually about anything very important, but I've been trying different things to help my mind wake up with excitement for the day or at least evenness, instead of anxiety. I think this might really help. I might even try it at night before bed and then again in the morning. THANK YOU. 🙏
Oh! I see, that was someone else's comment you gave me. Got it! And I'm grateful you said that about overwhelm. Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to do all the things - there are so many wonderful teachers just here on Substack, but I am learning that more is not better. lol. And yes! so so so excited for Strange Containers, SCHOOL and camp! Meeting IRL so much fun to think about! xoxo
Loved this movie too!
Hi Gina! Oh I'm so glad you said so. I just keep thinking about it. It really struck a deep chord with me. I keep coming back to the scene where she admits to her student what her relationship with Leo really is and tells her that perusing pleasure is worthwhile and the scene where he asks her to dance and of course the last scene. What did you love about it?
I’ve always struggled with intimacy…often feeling like an object in an exchange of obligations…I suppose it’s his tenderness and her vulnerability that really touched me….oh and the dance…wow, yes. Thank you for reminding me of its beauty. I’m going to watch it again this weekend.
PS: “I’ve decided one way to combat this is to go looking for the good. Or at least pay 99% of my attention to life itself, right in front of me, and only 1% to what is going on in the world that I cannot control.” THIS. YES. SAME. 💕
Yay!! It's really the only way I can figure out to cope, and do better than just cope, right? To thrive like the lotus up and out of the muck. xo
Yes! Not just cope but thrive. Love this.
I’m so moved and honoured that my tiny act of courage in the comments last week sparked your courage with this post! Wow, when we’re brave and vulnerable we can change lives.
I’m so glad you didn’t delete the part about the movie because I just watched it and it’s MAGNIFICENT. The last scene especially. YES to an older woman being paired with a younger man for a change. I’m struck by how Leo helped Nancy accept herself - her body and her desires. Her wanting. For me, at least in this light, the movie not only reframes aging bodies - it also reframes sex work as something not shameful but sacred. THANK YOU for recommending it!!
Also I love this letter to your readers and how you build genuine connection. 💕 Thanks Jocelyn!
Oooooh Monika, this, "when we’re brave and vulnerable we can change lives." We never know how just one (what we think is little) thing might change one or ten or million other things. ❤️
And it made me all teary - that you watched and thought it was magnificent. I've got chills all over. I watched it by myself and when I saw her standing there in front of the mirror in the last scene and there was this half a moment where I thought, No, she's not going to do it. And then she did and I gasped and just watched in awe. It was such a defiant moment. I just hardly have words and I feel honored to have witnessed that act of bravery and self love and also indebted in the best way to Thompson for doing that. She spoke for so many women in this movie and in that moment. (trying not to give away the end lol)
And yes, I was struck too by how honoring Leo was of her experience in her body both in the past and the present. Yes! That too about sex work being sacred. I love that it brought that concept to the forefront as well. That sex and being desired and desiring is all sacred, but we've put so much shame and guilt onto it.
Thank you so much for this too, "Also I love this letter to your readers and how you build genuine connection." I remember years ago sitting in a group and someone else got praised for being vulnerable and I was like, I'm being vulnerable, I'm here (and at the time, that WAS vulnerable for me, just showing up in a group.) And it's little moments and acts like yours that showed me how to be vulnerable in a way that others can see and feel. It's been a long learning process and practice for me, and I feel very seen that you said this. So thank you too, my sweet friend. ❤️🙏
Right? That last scene (ha, I started typing “seen”) is so powerful - both for Nancy the character and Emma the actor. The vulnerability, the courage, the self-acceptance. It’s just…wow. “I feel honored to have witnessed” - yes. I’m enjoying watching the actor interviews now. Emma’s message about not wasting our precious time and money on hating our aging bodies is exactly what I need to hear now. Also there’s one interview where she describes Leo’s character as a “sex carer.” Love that.
Speaking of Leo, have you watched Bad Sisters? Another excellent series. Daryl McCormack plays an interesting character in it. That as well. Highly recommend. (CW: domestic violence.)
And aw, I’m glad you felt seen by my comment. I remember you jumping in to support me with some hard letters from love on Liz’s substack and I appreciate it so much. What you’re creating here feels like an extension of that - warm, vulnerable, powerful, beautiful. 💕
I haven't watched any interviews with Emma yet, but I'm looking forwards to seeing what she says about both herself and Nancy in this role. And thank you for the tip on Bad Sisters, I'll have to check it out.
I love that you felt supported by me. That means more than I can really put into words. And wow! an extension of Liz's space. That too just feels incredible. Thank you so much for saying both of those things. "warm, vulnerable, powerful, beautiful." that's exactly what I am trying to do and you just put it into such gorgeous language. xoxoxo
You’re so welcome ♥️ - and definitely watch Bad Sisters!
Beautiful, and brave! There’s so much here, and I will now watch that movie! We are allowed to enjoy and want and want different things, fictional and real. Those shoulds and shouldn’ts are so LOUD. Even in the noticing and the writing about what I am noticing, the reach for a metaphor is its own kind of should— “you should really compare that to something else so people know what you really mean.” As if my own senses and words are not enough! There’s so much shame attached to those shoulds, implying we are not enough. And when things look hopeless it is easy to succumb to that feeling of helplessness and inadequacy. But as you say, we have the power of attention, love, and knowing the world may not be kind but we can be. And that is really the only thing we can control. Look at you leap and fly! So excited for you.
Oh Emily, this, "As if my own senses and words are not enough!" I know exactly what you mean - in fact this morning during my shimmers and shards practice, I was having the hardest time not using a simile and then I just finally said to myself, just look at the thing. What does it LOOK like? :) I also love this permission to want different things, fictional and real. LOVE that. Leaping and flying right alongside you! 💓🪁
“Just Look at the thing!” This is me!! Even the language to describe describing it implies a simile! How does it look, look like. Maybe we need to ask- “what do I see?” Instead?? Will try that next time. Language is so sneaky the way it binds us up before it leaves our pen or mouth!
Hahaha! You of course would catch the simile in the very question! I love love love your attention to words. LOVE it. And this, What do I see. Now THAT is a question with real power. I love how this ties right back to feeling like our experience of a thing isn't enough, but this, this question makes it enough, doesn't it? OOooh chills in the best way!
And yes to this, beautifully put, "Language is so sneaky the way it binds us up before it leaves our pen or mouth!" the subconscious that sneaks into everything. This is why I love rewriting so much. It's the chance to suss those things out and find the "seeing" instead.
Thanks for this fun romp! More, please!💜💜💜
Me too! And Yes! 💖😍
I just watched it. It’s a MUST!!
I watched it last night too and absolutely love it!
Yay! I'm so glad you watched it and loved it! Did you have a favorite part?
Yay! I love the ripple effects Jocelyn’s post. So fun to picture us all watching this movie and being moved by it.
Yes!!! What would it be like to watch this movie in a room full of women? Eeeee. I would be terrified (oh the vulnerability) and also it could be magical.
There was so much to love about this film, here’s what’s still rolling around in my heart a few morning later.
How Leo calmly stated “Nancy” each time her anxiety spun her around the room. Her “list” and the urgent need to cross of positions off it. The dance and how she finally succumbs. Stepping out of her shame and secret when she verbalizes the truth to the restaurant server. I think that admission sets her up to accept herself, and in so doing, allows for her to be free to finally orgasm, by herself, for herself, without needing another person or positions or toys. Her naked reflection in the mirror is brilliant as she finally accepts all of herself.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I will be recommending to others too!!!
I too, loved that. And can still hear him and see him smile at her and just say, Nancy. I loved that about it, thank you for pointing that out. I also loved how he told her more than once that her body was beautiful and that she was allowed to think that it was beautiful. And the orgasm scene. Ohmygosh, how gorgeous and affirming was that? It's as if this movie were written by a woman and directed by a woman for women. ;) I just, that last scene. I just keep seeing it and being in wonder and the daring and the bravery and then I catch myself and think, you know I want that to feel normal. Not brave or daring. Just normal for a woman to love her body.
On the list!!
I'm SO glad you didn't delete the movie bit! I haven't watched it, but you've piqued my curiosity as someone who VERY rarely ever watches movies! :)
I'm glad you pushed through and posted it anyway. ♥
Thank you for the mention as well! I love leaving comments under your work! And also thank you for bringing back Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends to the forefront of my mind! I haven't looked or thought about that book since elementary school, and now I wanna revisit it (maybe with Silverstein himself reading it for now!).
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh sweet Cierra, thank you so much for this comment! I love that you're curious now especially because you don't watch movies so much. It's such a beautiful, quiet, but utterly moving movie. I cannot wait to her what you think if you do watch it! Please come back and tell me!! ❤️
Oooh Shel. You are SO welcome! I have adored him forever. I started collecting storybooks several years ago and though I have lost my original copy, that I too had in elementary school, I bought another one and page through it from time to time, and this poem never looses it's power.
You are so so welcome and I'm so glad you popped back in here. I love hearing your thoughts and experiences. So thank you right back!
The comment section is just as nourishing as reading your writings! You're absolutely welcome! :)
I'll let you know what I think if I watch it! I've got a long way to go with this unpacking, but hoping to be pretty much done by the end of this week! Haha. Then I can move on with my life and leisure time! I'm gonna see if the Libby app has a cop of Shel too! I've added his work to my leisure activities I get to enjoy once I'm settled in!
Thank YOU! It's always a treat chatting back and forth with you and seeing you on here! 🤩♥
That's so lovely to hear! That's how I want these comment sections to feel. Good luck unpacking and have fun listening to Shel! xoxox
You’re succeeding at it!! And thank you! I see the light at the end of the tunnel! Hopefully this weekend will be it. Shel shall get me through ♥️ Haha
Thank you! Shel is great for getting us through. :) xoxoxo
He certainly is! And of course! ♥
Lovely post today, Jocelyn! Both with the Campbel quote" We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." and "Listen to the Mustn'ts" by Shel Silverstein. Letting go of the big things, the little things, the easy things and the hard things, can be both terrifying and exhilarating! For me I find, the more I practice letting go, the easier it becomes. I first had to let go of the image I had of myself in the life I had envisioned (which meant blowing up a marriage and career) and then stand in the naked truth of who I was/am (the terrifying part) to find my authentic self and life which I could have never imagined! (the exhilarating part). As Shel closes his poem, "Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be". I am proof that anything is possible. And the truth of it is, we let go of everything when our life ends so best to start building the letting go muscles sooner than later. :)
On another note, I saw in a comment on today's WITD classified post that you asked for feedback on workshops in the chat (which a couple of people responded to you, including me) and that you had a hard time getting back to find that chat. Several of us recommended The Writing Room Collective conference in October. C. Dawn Allan summed it up the best which I have posted below. I 100% agree with everything she wrote as I too am a member of A Writing Room. Would happily share more with you if interested.
"I joined A Writing Room Collective and it has changed my life completely, both personally as a writer. The annual retreat is coming up in October and you can either attend in person in California or virtually on Zoom. I attended virtually last year and I felt like I was there. The engagement through break out groups and chat transforms us from watching to participating. The link for the October 2024 conference is here: https://awritingroom.com/retreat24/?
And if you are interested in joining A Writing Room, the link is here: https://a-writing-room.mn.co/share/YAfWlLvZdbvSl495. We have Silent Writing almost daily, sometimes twice a day with different members of the group leading the sessions. We have classes with Jacob Nordby, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, and more. We even have an editor from Penguin books who joins us once a month and reviews work from 5-7 members. There is Feedback Fridays monthly too, where our beta reader gives us feedback. We have groups that meet by genre, including nonfiction monthly. Also, we have a huge library of past classes, group meetups, and much more. Come join us! They even have a class on Substack!
Hi Lisa! I love this, "I first had to let go of the image I had of myself in the life I had envisioned (which meant blowing up a marriage and career)" I've been there too. Though my blow up was a slow burn that was driven more by my subconscious at first. And this really hit home for me, "And the truth of it is, we let go of everything when our life ends so best to start building the letting go muscles sooner than later. :)" Something about this has been seeping into my bones since I read it last night--too late to respond coherently :) This is so powerful. We let go of everything at the end of life, and what if we had that mindset moving through life-- not a new concept, I know, but the way you said it made it seem very attainable. To just have a lens on things that it's all transient, which both helps hold on tighter in the present and let go, a dance between the two, all the time. How gorgeous.
As for The Writing Room, thank you! I've come across this before, so it's great to have such a strong endorsement. I just don't want to get overwhelmed-I'm trying to be really conscious of only taking on what I can really engage with. I've got WITD and I'm in one other group right now with Beth Kempton, but I really love everything that AWR offers. So I'm going to sit with it for a bit.
When you did the TWR conference virtually, were you on zoom all day? How did that work? I so so so appreciate the recommendation and the thoughts on the post. ;) xoxoxo❤️🙏
"a lens on things that it's all transient" - YES to this Jocelyn! Everything is impermanent. Letting go has been a work in progress for me, some days are better than others. Surrendering and accepting what is is such hard work sometime. A practice that I started about a month ago is to ask myself this question each morning - What do I need to let go of today, what needs to die in me, so I can live a good life now? This simple question has been transformative! I found myself letting go of things I believed about myself and others, emotions that don't serve me in the moment, worries about things I have no control over etc.
As for AWR, I didn't attend the conference last year (the comments were from another WITDer who is also a member of AWR) but plan to this year. I totally understand overwhelm! I too only have two arenas I am engaged in - WITD and AWR. Anyway, I'm excited to keep expanding my mind and writing skills with everything Jeannine had in the pipeline for us. Looking forward to Strange Containers, WITD School and then camp next summer! Hopefully I'll meet in IRL at camp! :)
Lisa, this was so powerful for me, "What do I need to let go of today, what needs to die in me, so I can live a good life now? This simple question has been transformative! I found myself letting go of things I believed about myself and others, emotions that don't serve me in the moment" thank you so much for sharing. I often (okay, basically every day) wake up with a little bit of anxiety, not usually about anything very important, but I've been trying different things to help my mind wake up with excitement for the day or at least evenness, instead of anxiety. I think this might really help. I might even try it at night before bed and then again in the morning. THANK YOU. 🙏
Oh! I see, that was someone else's comment you gave me. Got it! And I'm grateful you said that about overwhelm. Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to do all the things - there are so many wonderful teachers just here on Substack, but I am learning that more is not better. lol. And yes! so so so excited for Strange Containers, SCHOOL and camp! Meeting IRL so much fun to think about! xoxo