Write For Post-Lockdown Life
Hello Dear One,
How are you finding October? I’m up and down. At first, I thought it was personal, that changes in my life were at the heart of it. And, to be honest, I assumed everyone else was off merrily booking flights. Because we can do that now. Right?
The more I’ve spoken to others the more nervousness I've sensed, a feeling that things aren’t quite right. There’s constant questioning, an – is this ok? – feeling.
Only a year ago, in the UK, we’d just be told (again) that we couldn’t visit each other. Then, they started dividing the country into chunks, giving us more or less privilege depending on where we lived. I feared – as many did – spending winter completely alone. Just six months ago I still wasn’t allowed to see some of my best friends or family.
As much as we might like to flap them away, these experiences swell up. When I give even a little space to the evenings I came home from teaching fatigued and alone; the dinners I could have spent in company; the birthdays celebrated hundreds of miles apart; the missed moments of my nieces and nephews young lives; the bubble, which made me choose between one friend and another – I feel like I can’t breathe. And yet six week’s ago I went to a concert with thousands of people: one of the most blissful moments of my life.
Before we go on I’ll address this thought: so many people had, and have, it ‘harder’, who am I to complain/wallow/make a fuss? Let’s halt the slide down that particular shame-filled rabbit hole with these words from Brené Brown.
On board? Great. You might feel lost, confused and like you're living in an anti-climax and/or experience bursts of happiness and euphoria. Perhaps how you’re feeling changes from one hour to the next. Maybe you need to grieve. Choose to accept your experience without judgement; it’s resistance that festers and bites.
I hope it helps. The prompts might seem simple, but they brought up a lot for me. Remember you are in charge. If it feels like too much today go to the archives, or simply let yourself be. I find it soothing to know that this part can be tricky too – and that we don’t have to navigate it alone.
Thanks for being here and being you.
All love,
Jo
NOVEMBER WORKSHOP
My next workshop is on Thursday 4th November via Zoom – a nourishing ninety minutes of guided writing with lovely music and poetry. There are three spots left if you’d like to grab one.
PLUS
Here’s a wee tune I heard on singer Karine Polwart’s instagram during lockdown.
FINALLY
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