The Path Forward...
Good Morning, you stalwart lovelies.
I read somewhere 2020 referred to as The Lost Year and I’ve been…thinking about that a lot. Mostly, what about it is hooking me. Time is so precious. And I know too many people who would give anything for just one more year… even this one. What finally got me to understand what was bumping me about the whole Lost Year thing, was a connection I made to a phenomenon I’ve experienced in writing.
When I’m writing, I love watching that word count go up. I love when a writing day yields thousands of words. Not necessarily all good words, but it’s comforting to see a lot of them. Makes me feel like I’m “putting the work in.”
But, then there are the other days/weeks/months when the word count is slow, but somehow in the middle of the day I’ll crack something BIG. No, that’s not that character THIS is that character. THAT wouldn’t be enough motivation for her, but THIS sure would. No, wait… holy shit, this is how I should end this thing. There’s no flashy word count, but the tectonic shift to the work is beyond quantifiable. It’s the quiet, deep internal work that illuminates a clearer, more meaningful path forward.
That’s how I look at this year: A tectonic shift - anchored in quiet, deep internal work - that is - at least for me - illuminating a clearer, more meaningful path forward.
A path that will yield both more AND better words.
Each Monday morning, I’ll gather:
❤️funny tweets
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
❤️
🤩
Perfume Genius has a new album out and it’s GREAT. (Thank you to Annie for this one)
This brilliant book, Strong Women: 15 Biographies of Influential Women History Overlooked, by Kari Koeppel celebrates the lives of some of history’s brightest - and oft forgotten - women.
Nadiya Hussain has a new show on Netflix and it’s lovely.
I am a sucker for a cozy - or even not so cozy mystery - series. I’m trying to write a list and… I am legit panicking. So, let’s start… okay, aside from all the Sally Wainwrights and all the Agatha Christies…they are all my children. (I have so many more that are my favorites, but this is a good place to start.)
This sanguine, pastoral blog about everyday life in Spitalfields, London is a lovely respite. (Thank you to Leila for this one)
I love movie scores. And lately, I’ve taken to scouring the internet for the recording sessions. Fell down QUITE the rabbit hole.
Finally saw the new Emma. Loved it.
🤝
Follow Patrick Stewart for his Sonnet A Day and maybe a guest star from time to time.
Follow Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola for comedy, inspiration and a great podcast.
Follow GBBO alum, Nancy Birtwhistle for eco-friendly kitchen hacks, amazing recipes and a soundtrack of the best wedding reception music you’ve ever badly danced to.
🌈
🕯
I’ve rediscovered Noislii and love that they added a pomodoro timer along with several curated playlists.
I partnered with the brilliant Jody Tixier to make a video with Dr. Vinita Mehta where she provides 10 minutes of therapy to help with anxiety during lockdown. She helped me so much and hopefully you’ll find comfort in it, as well.
There is something magical about a Squishmallow. They’re comforting, soft and huggable and have been known to help with anxiety. I have Humphrey. He gets it. (thank you to Sarah for this one)
I don’t know who this Spotify profile is, but her playlists are INCREDIBLE.