Capturing 49
A year in the life, one post at a time
Dear Friend
How are you today? I’m fighting a summer cold, so to wake up to glorious sunshine is a damn fine blessing.
Not sure why I keep thinking about my 50th. It’s still weeks away. Maybe it’s more about the fact, that I’m trying to live right in the present moment this summer. Not wishing any minutes away. So when I decided to document my 49th year daily here on Substack, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. I have a tendency to to create new projects, crazy challenges and set myself a few goals without fully understanding what the consequences would be. I do it to try and ground myself. To stop me form racing ahead. I’m sure I have “go faster” stripes tattooed to my head!
Here’s the thing documenting every day on Substack, wasn’t just about recording events, it was about capturing the essence of being 49 - the thoughts, feelings, the mundane and the extraordinary moments that make up a year in one’s life.
But I do wonder sometimes why I embarked on this journey.
Simply put, I didn’t want another year to slip by unnoticed, lost in the blur of daily routines and relentless to-do lists. But deep down, I wanted to prove to myself I could commit to a consistent writing habit. I don’t ever struggle with journaling every single day, that’s a given, because journaling is my oxygen. Yet writing, especially in public was something I wasn’t so sure about. Well, to be honest I didn’t think I’d consistently manage it, I thought I’d quit as soon as it became really hard work. Which it has been REALLY hard work.
Looking back there’s something both exhilarating and terrifying about publishing my life for the world to read. It’s like opening my journal and inviting everyone to peek inside. But actually no, my writing on Substack is nothing compared to what I write in my journal, it’s no surprise I launched "Rage on a Page"
Over the next few weeks, I’ve decided to revisit some of my daily Substack ramblings, cherry-picking the more intriguing stories and insights. I’m particularly keen to share what I’ve learned about therapeutic journaling and behind the scenes of hosting writing retreats. These experiences have not only enriched my writing but they’ve also provided valuable lessons about the healing power of putting pen to paper ( or in this case, fingers to the keyboard). Because it has become my passion, encouraging women to channel their emotions into something more positive and creative through the written word (me included).
One of the most interesting aspects of this experience has been the realisation that our lives are simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary. A random Wednesday can contain moments of breathtaking beauty or insights that shake my whole perspective on life. By committing to document each day, sometimes, with ease, I’ve learned to appreciate the richness of everyday life in a way I never had before.
As I approach my 50th, I can’t help but wonder about others on this journey. Are there any fellow soon to-be-50-year-olds here? How are you feeling about this milestone? Are you planning a grand celebration or perhaps seeking a quiet, blissful hideaway to mark the occasion? Have you set yourself any goals for your year ahead?
Whether you’re embracing this new decade with open arms or approaching it with trepidation, I’d love to hear your thoughts. After all, that’s what this year of public writing has taught me - our stories, however mundane they may seem to us, have the power to connect, inspire and illuminate the human experience in all its complex glory.
As I get close to wrapping up this year long project and step into my 50’s, I’m filled with gratitude for the experience. It’s been challenging, rewarding and utterly transformative. So here’s to the power of documenting our lives, to the bloody beauty of everyday moments, and to embracing each year as it comes, be it 49,50 or beyond.
Of course I’ve curated a few therapeutic journaling prompts to encourage some self-reflection, as it seems that’s what I’m all about this week…
1. Reflect on your journey to 50. What are the five experiences that have shaped who you are?
2. List 50 things you are grateful for as you approach being 50. They can be big achievements or small everyday joys.
3. What’s a dream goal you’ve been putting off? How can you take one small step towards it in your 50th year?
4. Write a letter to your body, thanking it for carrying you through 50 years. What would you say?
5. What’s a stereotype about being 50 that you want to challenge? How do you plan to defy it?
My reasons for publishing journaling prompts is that I hope it helps you to process your feelings and look forward to your day, your week with optimism and purpose. If you’d like to take it one step further I’d like to invite you to my weekly “Journal with Ease” online workshop - a gentle 45 minutes of guided journaling with a lovely group of likeminded women, some of whom you may have met here on Substack, including
Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow at 1pm, here is the zoom link and bring a friend if you’d prefer to join with a companion.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82513843835
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xx
What’s On 'with ease'
Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with ease & Emma Gannon - only 1 bedroom left available - 16th-18th November 2024
Rage on a Page - you’re very welcome to join the next series of my therapeutic journaling program. I’m looking to work with 6 women and there are only 3 spaces left available. Starting from the 9th September 2024
More Sales Please - a brand new day retreat to blow up the sales in your creative business without the grind, with the gorgeously energetic Sara Dalrymple of The Scoop-27th September 2024
Doing Hard Things with ease & Stacey Heale- there is a waiting list for the next retreat later this year - date tbc. Plus, there is a bursary place for one lucky guest.
Digital Detox Weekend Retreat - set in a gorgeous beach house near Pembrokeshire. Join me to learn how to take back control on the amount of time you spend on your device, find new ways to entertain yourself, embrace more positive daily activities and generally feel more upbeat and happier. Guaranteed… coastal walks, cold water therapy, feasting on local produce, therapeutic journaling workshops, reading, writing and plenty of resting! 18th-20th October 2024
I remember the weeks leading up to my 50th so well. It was like it was yesterday; but here I am with not so long to go before I turn 60 and I don’t know how I got here?! Yes to the extraordinary moments in very ordinary days - being aware of them and capturing them is key to really living in the moment. How do I feel about being sixty? Privileged and also slightly panicked about not achieving some goals during my 50s - it has been however, a wild ride of a decade! X
This is great. I turned 49 a week ago tomorrow wouldn't it be amazing to capture it too