Write to Bloom
Hello Dear One,
How are you?
For most people the impact of the pandemic seems to be coming in waves, we’re calm until we’re anxious, joyful until we’re stressed - or the other way around. I wonder if it’s like that for you too. I’d love to be riding high above it, but I’m taking it moment by moment. There are lots of little joys and I try to open my eyes to them, even if I feel weary. A daily one is dancing - jiving around my flat, especially in the mornings. It gives me energy and connects me to my body, but, most of all, helps me feel free.
Edinburgh has been covered in snow for the past week. On Sunday it got to the super slushy slippy stage that’s a nightmare to walk in. Then, it disappeared overnight. In the early morning, bundled up, the air felt semi-warm. In the park - home to sledging, snowball fights and igloo making - tiny yellow bulbs were beginning to bloom.
Sometimes it can feel like things will never change, then something happens. The flowers sent a tremor through me: underneath their joy and magic was a jolt of panic. I felt like I might not be ready for the world to open up again, all I’ve yearned for since this whole thing began. I’ve acclimatised to living small. But things are changing all the time, we’re always learning and growing; even if life feels stagnant. The key, I think, is to let go.
So, I took the bulbs as a cue to share my favourite prompt of late.
I hope it helps. One of the things I’ve sown in the last year is having the courage to speak my truth and stand up for myself, another is Write to Thrive. I added reading to my flowers because I want to read more, all the books, but too often I prioritise other things or find myself attached to my phone. So, I’m working on that one.
I think it’s a lovely visualisation, to remember that we’ve already grown exponentially and we bring so much to others, even when we can’t see it. You matter.
Thanks for being here, and being you.
All love,
Jo
SOME NEWS
Tonight my five-week course comes to an end. It has been a fabulous journey with a beautiful bunch of women. I am taking a short break and will be opening this to a second cohort in March or April, keep an eye on the letter and my Instagram for details.
In the meantime I’m looking at dates for my next drop-in workshops, coming soon.