A photograph speaks a 1000 words
So I'm going to let the photographs do all the talking...
Apart from the Coronation commotion. There was drama in the skies. All types of weather across one Bank Holiday. And in my corner of the world, drama in my head, I experienced ALL types of mood swings. Yup I’m 48.5 years young and you guessed it, but the thing is, my patch doesn’t seem to be working. Severe brain fog means the writing won’t flow. Any top tips on natural remedies that would help prevent the fog are most welcomed, don’t be shy, please do share.
Over the weekend, I needed the rain and the sunshine to cool me down and then warm me back up again. As I was feeling all the feelings! I experienced a huge come down after facilitating yet another profound memoir writing day, that I co-hosted with the brilliant memoirist Clover Stroud.
Each time I’m about to facilitate a retreat, I always have a quiet word with myself. To be prepared for the unexpected. Reminding myself that emotions will be at an all time high. Strangers come together for a full day of memoir writing workshops, they share very personal and sometimes really traumatic stories. Sometimes I have to sit on my hands and close my eyes tightly, because I can’t quite believe what my ears are hearing. I listen quietly to the harrowing tales. Quite rightly so, each of the guests need an outlet to share their deepest thoughts and feelings, hopefully one day, these future memoirists will take the pen to the page and write it all down. Cathy Rentzenbrink once told me, that the trouble with writers who suffer from imposter syndrome, is that so many inspirational stories never get published.
I provide and hold a VERY safe space for each guest. What we share on the retreat, stays on the retreat. Each and everyone of us swear an oath, that we shall respect our now new friends by supporting, listening, caring and being there for one another.
This Substack article was meant to be filled with images not words. Mainly due to the fact that I didn’t have the words half an hour ago. I wasn’t sure what to write. Just that I needed to write. Partly because I must write these feelings out of me today and partly because I’m sitting here feeling pressured, only by myself, to update my Substack. Why is that?! Do you ever feel this way about your writing commitments? Especially here on Substack?
So that is where I’m at.
A little more relaxed than when I started this Substack post, because the words eventually dropped onto the blank page for me.
Clunky and heavy to type.
I tried to form the sentences in a reader friendly manner - forgive me if they’re not making much sense. Sometimes a girl just has to get it all out, ramblings included!
NOTE TO SELF: I’m sat here feeling quietly content. I captured the moments. I’m cherishing the memories. All because I took the photographs. When in doubt and you don’t have the words, start with posting a photograph or 3 and then wait. Wait a few minutes. Take a deep breath, be brave, ignore the inner voice. The words will flow. I promise you.
Until the next time, take care & stay safe xx
48.5 years old - SNAP 😊 what beautiful dogs. What you said about creating a safe space for your students reminded me of Brenda Ueland, who already came up in conversation once today. Do you know of her? Thanks for your post and yes I think many of us feel the 'should update' thing - I try to resist it and trust/wait but don't always manage, and sometimes once I get started like you the writing flows and I feel much better...
All that sounds very familiar. And it would have been totally okay if you would have just posted photos. But see, even from that little post you learned how to deal with it and worked out just fine!