on welcoming a perspective shift
because normal life looks different when you step back and see the whole picture
I often think that the hardest thing about writing - or any form of creativity for that matter - is doing it. Carving out the time to sit and create, no matter your energy or mood, and wrangling with all the discomfort and doubt till you have something you’re mildly happy with. This newsletter has changed so much for me as a writer for two reasons:
the discipline of meeting a weekly deadline is a boundary I’ve learnt to love. Turning up to the page is the biggest step.
the ‘conversation’ I’m having with an all-round delightful bunch of readers is incredibly encouraging and inspires me to keep going, even when I think I’ve got absolutely nothing to say (alas, there is always something to write about).
Who knew that a humble newsletter could change so much about how I write. Years ago, while on the road, I was incredibly frustrated by my inability to pen anything other than a catchy instagram caption. I had to re-train my brain to write long-form and I started with the simplest practice; handwriting three pages a day in a notebook. It was a stream of consciousness that eventually informed my first book and I think it proves that the basic practises of any art are worth returning to.
This newsletter has been my ‘three pages’ for the past year and for most of that time, a novel has been floating around in my head, prompting me to ask questions and consider what tea a character drinks and tentatively step into fiction writing for the first time. It may be in the embryonic stages and at present, there’s only a few thousand words on the page, but that’s all about to change because I’ve been selected to take part in a writing program through Varuna - The National Writer’s House. I received the email a few days ago and promptly screamed into a pillow and burst into tears. I can’t believe my work has been recognised in this way and I just feel so lucky to have close, professional guidance as I kickstart my novel. This coincides with the first of many months of edits on the postpartum book, hence I’ve spent the past few days planning for the next few busy months…
plans + perspective shifts
The best thing about stepping away from normal life, for a few days or a few weeks, is the inevitable shift in perspective. This same perspective shift occurs for many of us around the New Year (and the turning of the seasons) but also when life comes charging in to disrupt plans; when the unforeseeable shows up and demands attention. And then there are the milestone birthdays that lead us into a new decade and feel full of possibility and often, pressure.
I’ve let my brain go to mush for the past few weeks and it’s exactly what I needed. But one of the best things about consciously stepping away from my normal has been the opportunity to consider how I want to live/work/write for the rest of the year. Last week I wrote about living intentionally and that’s precisely how I plan to approach life; by being very intentional with my time and energy. With these intentions comes a greater awareness of what I need to live well and for me, that’s: