Throat chakras issues are a real thing, and it is so hard to reward yourself for the year of flow when the algorithm is always asking for more. Sending you lots of love, and hoping that reflection in nature will give you the answers you're yearning for ❤️
So glad the tree wisdom resonated with you! This was a lush and relatable post. Your reflections on writing ebbs and flows reminded me of something Anna Brones linked to in her latest newsletter, which was this Olafur Arnalds quote: “I wonder if the concept of writer’s block is sometimes overrated or at least misunderstood. If creativity just poured out of us constantly, without any issues, it might not be as rewarding. So, is it a block? Or is it just a part of the process of creating?” (source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C69LxWiICp0/)
"I am a collector of ideas and I feel like my proverbial storeroom needs a good spring clean. I also think after a year of relative flow with my writing, I’m having a natural response to the sharing that feels a lot like anxiety - I’ve said too much! Or worse, no one cares!"
I think a lot of writers are feeling this way right now, oddly enough? I don't know if it's Substack fatigue or what. But thank you for this reminder of grounding and connection.
It definitely feels a bit like Substack fatigue too - I feel bad for not keeping up with the writers who I really love, but I also try to be gentle with myself knowing that all these compassionate writers probably feel the same way. 💗
Also, after reading your piece, I’m going to start referring to myself as trophy wife 🤣
Sometimes when people ask me what I do, I answer: “I’m not sure.” 😂 Would you like to hear about my rock collecting, my zen cleaning days which happen every three weeks and make me feel like an actual goddess, my struggles to care about feeding anyone anything but a long raw carrot for dinner? If you think you’re going to hear about my writing, I would rather have all of my toenails pulled out by pliers. Sometimes I say, “I do a lot of different things” which is very true. Trophy wife: YES 👏 😇 💃🏽
Lol a gift from the gods 😇🏆 actually the secret is: tell yourself you need to have a super productive writing day. you can’t believe how fun cleaning the bathroom then becomes! 😂
Thank you for this piece, the tender handling of a self that can’t find words. Your words from last year are still walking with me this year, still doing their tender work. Your words are still doing their work, even as you tend to the self that can’t find words. Bless you, my friend.
Ah, my friend, so many beauties in here. First: I do grieve the toxic algae that visits your lake. But to talk about firm feet on the silty ground, and a yearning for more of that support, I can almost hear the atoms of gravity forming to support you. Second: has my mind completely missed that you’ve been swimming all this spring? Brave cells! I did not know that the heirophant was an actual thing. What a delightful unlocking for me, thank you! Your ache for the babes and mothers of those in physical war is so tender and moving. “To be human is to suffer”- yes. So many of our struggles could be held more carefully if we were to honestly admit this in our day to day narratives. Please know that in your brave sharing, our hearts have been held and healed. Your words are a gift! 🌾💞
Thank you so much for this! I find myself shutting myself down as the world is too much right now. The emotions feel too big and myself too small. A weird bit of hope came from a conversation about climate change with my kids and partner. They were talking about how we were killing the planet, and I stopped and said that we weren't, we were just changing it, and even if it was to the point humans died out, the earth would continue and life would continue. After all, life continued after the dinosaurs. Something about that eternal aspect soothed.
Thanks for reading Jessica 💗 it’s ok to shut down, we aren’t built to hold so much. And yes, the eternal aspect is very soothing to me too. Thanks for sharing.
This is beautiful, Lindsey. And I can relate. When I feel silenced by the enormity of the world's suffering and think that creativity cannot answer it, I turn to my near ancestors who lived in Russia and then the Soviet Union and suffered unimaginably and loved, lived, held true to their values, and even wrote poetry that speak to generations long after the writer's passing.
For the block -- once years ago writing left me for about 3 months. I wasn't blocked; I just had no desire or compulsion to write. I told a short story writer friend of mine about it, and she said it happened to her sometimes and she told me this hilarious image she had in her head of her "writer" being a certain kind of unkempt, down-at-heels man in a shabby office who had a receptionist named Lois. When the writer didn't send work out to Lois for her to type, she spent her days filing her nails and playing Minesweeper. Then one day he'd yell "Lois!" and hand her some pages and she'd be back to work. I always enjoyed that image and bring it to mind whenever I feel uninspired.
And there's also remembering to fill the creative well. Our creative selves need rest and fallow times, too, just as Earth does. 💚
Thank you so much, Antonia. I really treasure these words and all the wonderful comments here help me feel seen and less alone. That is such a good reminder about ancestors too - in some decks, the heirophant is actually called the ancestor! 💗
I love Lois! 😆😆
I’ve been painting a lot more so I’ve been comforting myself that my inner child just wants a different medium and writing will come back eventually. I also think summer break is going to hold more naps!
Throat chakras issues are a real thing, and it is so hard to reward yourself for the year of flow when the algorithm is always asking for more. Sending you lots of love, and hoping that reflection in nature will give you the answers you're yearning for ❤️
Thank you, that’s a good reminder to actually celebrate the year I had instead of just jumping to the next thing! 💗
So glad the tree wisdom resonated with you! This was a lush and relatable post. Your reflections on writing ebbs and flows reminded me of something Anna Brones linked to in her latest newsletter, which was this Olafur Arnalds quote: “I wonder if the concept of writer’s block is sometimes overrated or at least misunderstood. If creativity just poured out of us constantly, without any issues, it might not be as rewarding. So, is it a block? Or is it just a part of the process of creating?” (source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C69LxWiICp0/)
That’s lovely and thank you for sharing. Your post was so poetic and I am going to go find a tree to touch today. 💚
"I am a collector of ideas and I feel like my proverbial storeroom needs a good spring clean. I also think after a year of relative flow with my writing, I’m having a natural response to the sharing that feels a lot like anxiety - I’ve said too much! Or worse, no one cares!"
I think a lot of writers are feeling this way right now, oddly enough? I don't know if it's Substack fatigue or what. But thank you for this reminder of grounding and connection.
It definitely feels a bit like Substack fatigue too - I feel bad for not keeping up with the writers who I really love, but I also try to be gentle with myself knowing that all these compassionate writers probably feel the same way. 💗
Also, after reading your piece, I’m going to start referring to myself as trophy wife 🤣
Sometimes when people ask me what I do, I answer: “I’m not sure.” 😂 Would you like to hear about my rock collecting, my zen cleaning days which happen every three weeks and make me feel like an actual goddess, my struggles to care about feeding anyone anything but a long raw carrot for dinner? If you think you’re going to hear about my writing, I would rather have all of my toenails pulled out by pliers. Sometimes I say, “I do a lot of different things” which is very true. Trophy wife: YES 👏 😇 💃🏽
Um yes, I would very much like to hear about your zen cleaning days!
Lol a gift from the gods 😇🏆 actually the secret is: tell yourself you need to have a super productive writing day. you can’t believe how fun cleaning the bathroom then becomes! 😂
😂😂😂
DO IT
Thank you for this piece, the tender handling of a self that can’t find words. Your words from last year are still walking with me this year, still doing their tender work. Your words are still doing their work, even as you tend to the self that can’t find words. Bless you, my friend.
💔😭 thank you, dear one. I know finding the words to share has been a journey for you too. Thank you for seeing me.
Ah, my friend, so many beauties in here. First: I do grieve the toxic algae that visits your lake. But to talk about firm feet on the silty ground, and a yearning for more of that support, I can almost hear the atoms of gravity forming to support you. Second: has my mind completely missed that you’ve been swimming all this spring? Brave cells! I did not know that the heirophant was an actual thing. What a delightful unlocking for me, thank you! Your ache for the babes and mothers of those in physical war is so tender and moving. “To be human is to suffer”- yes. So many of our struggles could be held more carefully if we were to honestly admit this in our day to day narratives. Please know that in your brave sharing, our hearts have been held and healed. Your words are a gift! 🌾💞
I aspire to swim 😆 I went once in the fall and I’ve gone once in the spring. It has to be the perfect blend of no algae, but also no ice for me
Your words are so kind. Thank you for your attention to my words here and for your generous feedback. 💗 sending you lake love 🌊
Received! 🐬💞🐬
What a beautiful May Day altar!
Thank you💗✨
Thank you so much for this! I find myself shutting myself down as the world is too much right now. The emotions feel too big and myself too small. A weird bit of hope came from a conversation about climate change with my kids and partner. They were talking about how we were killing the planet, and I stopped and said that we weren't, we were just changing it, and even if it was to the point humans died out, the earth would continue and life would continue. After all, life continued after the dinosaurs. Something about that eternal aspect soothed.
Thanks for reading Jessica 💗 it’s ok to shut down, we aren’t built to hold so much. And yes, the eternal aspect is very soothing to me too. Thanks for sharing.
This is beautiful, Lindsey. And I can relate. When I feel silenced by the enormity of the world's suffering and think that creativity cannot answer it, I turn to my near ancestors who lived in Russia and then the Soviet Union and suffered unimaginably and loved, lived, held true to their values, and even wrote poetry that speak to generations long after the writer's passing.
For the block -- once years ago writing left me for about 3 months. I wasn't blocked; I just had no desire or compulsion to write. I told a short story writer friend of mine about it, and she said it happened to her sometimes and she told me this hilarious image she had in her head of her "writer" being a certain kind of unkempt, down-at-heels man in a shabby office who had a receptionist named Lois. When the writer didn't send work out to Lois for her to type, she spent her days filing her nails and playing Minesweeper. Then one day he'd yell "Lois!" and hand her some pages and she'd be back to work. I always enjoyed that image and bring it to mind whenever I feel uninspired.
And there's also remembering to fill the creative well. Our creative selves need rest and fallow times, too, just as Earth does. 💚
Thank you so much, Antonia. I really treasure these words and all the wonderful comments here help me feel seen and less alone. That is such a good reminder about ancestors too - in some decks, the heirophant is actually called the ancestor! 💗
I love Lois! 😆😆
I’ve been painting a lot more so I’ve been comforting myself that my inner child just wants a different medium and writing will come back eventually. I also think summer break is going to hold more naps!
These inner children are so demanding! But I suppose the more we nurture them, the more our adult selves are in turn nurtured.
I didn't know the hierophant was the ancestor in some decks, but I know almost nothing about tarot. Something that makes these fun to read. :)