My first letter
Hello Dear One,
I’ve decided to reissue my first letter.
I’ve felt a deep pull lately to back to the beginning of my work, the heart of what it means to sit with yourself and write. Many of you weren’t here then. I was scared: about what people might think of me and ‘getting it right’. I did a little happy dance every time someone new subscribed.
I still use this sequence on myself and in workshops. It’s powerful, to ask yourself these questions.
There are parts of the letter I want to edit, but I won’t.
I’ll let it be beautiful, exactly as it is.
All love,
Jo
Published 1st September 2020
Welcome to Write to Thrive - your writing for self-care love letter.
How are you? It’s the question I ask myself every morning, or afternoon, or evening if I’ve been unable to write early because I spent too long playing in the park with my dog, or slept in, or–as happened recently–had to drive out to the airport to get a COVID-19 test which, thankfully, came back negative.
As much as I advocate an early writing practice (Julia Cameron’s morning pages was my original model) I don’t beat myself up when I haven’t done it. Sometimes it can feel like we’re tugged in a hundred different directions. Instead of criticising when you don’t, applaud when you do.
I know when I sit with a pen and a notebook, carve out the time and space, it helps. It’s why I founded Write to Thrive, why I’m writing you this email. The page is a place to express yourself, uncover the root of your worries and become unstuck. It’s where you can be you: no barriers, no armour, no pretence.
So, before anything else, let’s set an intention to drop the judgement.
These letters are designed to help you connect with your inner voice. Each week I’ll send out a short exercise, something I’ve used and found helpful.
Today, it’s the grounding exercise I do in my workshops. Questions help us access what’s going on at a deeper level, and this particular prompt is a great reminder that we’re different every day. When we take the time to let our subconscious speak it’s always revealing. We can then support ourselves more effectively, from a place of awareness, even if it takes courage to face what may be going on.
A final note: I’ll suggest some timings, however, you might find you want to do this intuitively. ALL GOOD. Whatever works.
Repeat as often as you like. Let me know if it helps. Thanks for being here.
All love,
Jo