Chances are I won't find time (because I never do) for the witty and erudite comment that will show how deeply I read and enjoyed your newsletter, so I'm trying to get into the habit of just responding straight away to stuff I like, just so that their creators know at least that, if nothing else.
I don't know who my childhood heros were. As a teenager I had crushes both in real life and celebrities. I guess my heros were the characters in the books I obsessively read.
You do you. I love you as you are.
BTW Meditation at the beginning of writer's hour sounds great. Better than diving right in to words.
I’d venture out to say this was not a “thing” where and when I grew up. I don’t think I had any heroes growing up. This perfectly suits me.
Meditation 🧘🏿♀️
You could meditate as you make your tea, depending on how involved you need to be. I often spend the first 10 minutes of writers hour in meditation if I haven’t already done so before. I use an app so I start playing a guided meditation and sit with it even if I fidget. 😚
Loved this post and also the super practical packing advice!!! Childhood heroes: Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect. Teenage heroes: the two poets who taught literature and creative writing at my high school, who taught me how to think critically and write from the heart <3
1) Make a promise to yourself that you will meditate, but keep the amount of time open-ended. Some mornings I meditate for 15 minutes, some I meditate for 5. It allows flexibility so you don't feel too much pressure on mornings where you may already be in a hurry or perhaps just don't have a full 10-20 minute session in you.
2) When I can/want to, I try and squeeze in an extra session before going to sleep at night. Just laying in bed, meditative music playing in my earbuds. Sometimes this is the only session of the day, sometimes it's the 2nd. Either way, there is less pressure for time since you're already laying there!
Loved your newsletter as always! I recently did an exercise where I wrote down 4 well-known people I admired. I realised that three out of four of them don't use social media and it became clear that that is why I like them so much because what they have to say always feels so fresh and uninfluenced by social narratives from those spaces (they are Zadie Smith, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Michaela Coel). Also re meditation- my sister suggests making a dedicated space for the meditation that is always set up, if you can. It can be anything from an elaborate altar to simply a pillow and a candle in a corner. Having the space ready makes for one less thing to think about allowing you to more easily drop into that space. Also, I love the idea of meditating for ten minutes at the beginning of Writers' Hour.
1. Morning pages at 5 am *are* meditation, so you’re covered
2. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a meeting, even informal, at the festival. Ask info desk. Go!
3. Kid hero: Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy. Yeah, they’re fictional but whatever. Adult hero: I have said this before, but lately, YOU. Thanks for inspiring me to be more seen, launch a substack and get over myself.
I've fallen off the meditation wagon, too - but the time in the first few minutes of writers' hour sounds perfect. Then to continue with morning pages sounds *chef's kiss*. Loved reading this as always, you have such a lovely way with words and fabulous way of articulating yourself ❤️✨
Chances are I won't find time (because I never do) for the witty and erudite comment that will show how deeply I read and enjoyed your newsletter, so I'm trying to get into the habit of just responding straight away to stuff I like, just so that their creators know at least that, if nothing else.
This is me doing that.
I don't know who my childhood heros were. As a teenager I had crushes both in real life and celebrities. I guess my heros were the characters in the books I obsessively read.
You do you. I love you as you are.
BTW Meditation at the beginning of writer's hour sounds great. Better than diving right in to words.
I’d venture out to say this was not a “thing” where and when I grew up. I don’t think I had any heroes growing up. This perfectly suits me.
Meditation 🧘🏿♀️
You could meditate as you make your tea, depending on how involved you need to be. I often spend the first 10 minutes of writers hour in meditation if I haven’t already done so before. I use an app so I start playing a guided meditation and sit with it even if I fidget. 😚
Loved this post and also the super practical packing advice!!! Childhood heroes: Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect. Teenage heroes: the two poets who taught literature and creative writing at my high school, who taught me how to think critically and write from the heart <3
My hottest tips for meditation are:
1) Make a promise to yourself that you will meditate, but keep the amount of time open-ended. Some mornings I meditate for 15 minutes, some I meditate for 5. It allows flexibility so you don't feel too much pressure on mornings where you may already be in a hurry or perhaps just don't have a full 10-20 minute session in you.
2) When I can/want to, I try and squeeze in an extra session before going to sleep at night. Just laying in bed, meditative music playing in my earbuds. Sometimes this is the only session of the day, sometimes it's the 2nd. Either way, there is less pressure for time since you're already laying there!
Love you babe xoxo
Loved your newsletter as always! I recently did an exercise where I wrote down 4 well-known people I admired. I realised that three out of four of them don't use social media and it became clear that that is why I like them so much because what they have to say always feels so fresh and uninfluenced by social narratives from those spaces (they are Zadie Smith, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Michaela Coel). Also re meditation- my sister suggests making a dedicated space for the meditation that is always set up, if you can. It can be anything from an elaborate altar to simply a pillow and a candle in a corner. Having the space ready makes for one less thing to think about allowing you to more easily drop into that space. Also, I love the idea of meditating for ten minutes at the beginning of Writers' Hour.
1. Morning pages at 5 am *are* meditation, so you’re covered
2. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a meeting, even informal, at the festival. Ask info desk. Go!
3. Kid hero: Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy. Yeah, they’re fictional but whatever. Adult hero: I have said this before, but lately, YOU. Thanks for inspiring me to be more seen, launch a substack and get over myself.
I've fallen off the meditation wagon, too - but the time in the first few minutes of writers' hour sounds perfect. Then to continue with morning pages sounds *chef's kiss*. Loved reading this as always, you have such a lovely way with words and fabulous way of articulating yourself ❤️✨