That last paragraph particularly hit home, especially “not rushing toward making meaning out of something that actually requires time.” The relief I felt hearing that was so visceral I almost cried. Thank you for continually showing up and sharing what’s on your heart. I look forward to reading your newsletters every week - I find myself holding out for them a little, they’re super precious to me (and I know to so many others too) xx
It's so refreshing to read messaging of acceptance and compassion rather than changing and "bettering". Thank you <3. Your writing always reminds me that I am doing enough, that I am enough, and I can breathe.
Oh, how I hope you write that just for you book and that I somehow get to read it. You’ve yet to write a word I don’t hold close and turn over and sit with. ❤️
Every word of this list helped me sink deeper into my own humanity. My own messy human-ness (or human-mess?), my own slow and meandering way. thank you once again this week, for writing what I needed to read.
Also, how did i not know until this very moment that what i really need is an outdoor red claw foot tub. life, as I knew it, is wholly incomplete.
And…as for not being an artist so you can’t do art or try making stuff… I always wanted to make just one quilt and never allowed myself to do it because… so many unjustified reasons… and then one day I took a class and made one quilt to give away to a children’s charity. And guess what?! I became a quilt artist THAT DAY and have made hundreds of quilts since! Making quilts is the balm for my soul.
Ugh thank you for all of these! When a friend recently asked how I’m doing I launched into a probably too long screed about the exhausting experience of swinging wildly between hope + utter despair for our collective future. And now at the risk of this being too long just want to say yes yes yes to everything re: children as well. ❤️ Thank you as always, I always feel such calm on Sunday mornings after reading your newsletter. (Also, you are an artist. Okay, I’m done!)
YES! "A swirl of thoughts about optimization culture — about the pressure to better everything about ourselves and our lives — about the freedom of embracing my un-remodeled kitchen and my old coffeemaker and everything about myself and my life that may never get “upgraded” but are good enough as is."
Lisa, this comment is very overdue. I want to thank you for being a continual bright star and thread of introspection and hope through these times. I think I first found you during the lockdown and was comforted in your observations and writings. Now I look forward to reading your weekly newsletter and deeply thinking about all that you write but also I truly enjoy exploring your music suggestions and sparks of interest. I am so grateful to find links to people and places that I don’t think I would have found otherwise, you are a wonderful curator. And from the bottom of my heart, I beg you to write what it is you want to write for yourself. I hope you try it, I hope you encourage yourself like you would encourage anyone else. And last thing for now (there could be so much more), we are all artists, lean into the childlike fun of it and enjoy. Thank you again. You are a gem.
"What it can look like to not need to be the smartest or the best. What it can look like to embrace mediocrity where it is. What it can look like to stop trying so hard. What it can look like to own our shortcomings, the things that don’t come so naturally, the parts of us that aren’t so gifted or well-rehearsed." Oof. Loved this one and have been thinking about this a lot lately too. After changing careers I recently have found myself as an occasional teacher (AKA supply/substitute). There are times I am pretty bad at it and I am practicing accepting this truth and not having it mean anything bigger about myself. It's a new thing and it's a challenging thing and I have not been doing it for long. Why should I (or anyone else) expect me to be exceptional at it? I am trying not to ignore the small wins (making a connection with the student, troubleshooting a tech issue, having a nice conversation with another teacher, etc.). I might be a really bad occasional teacher for as long as I am one. I will probably learn things and get better. And honestly, as long as everyone is safe and shown respect, does it really matter if I am the best? Probably not. (Also I should note that because I live in Canada I am quite well-compensated for this job and feeling like I need to 'earn' what I earn might be fueling some of the difficulties with embracing mediocrity...)
Just love this. Especially the theme of not turning everything into content, or sharing things before they’re ready, to have been processed in the way they need to be. A beautiful reminder that we can step back and take our time with ourselves, and eachother.
All of this resonated with me so much. As I continue to look at how I have thought so much (SO MUCH) in my life about what other people want and need, and now these past few years (and these past few months, weeks, days, always) look at what I want and need, there is so much joy in doing what's right for me. It is both vital and terrifying.
I have been writing the books that feel good to write, and they haven't found publishers yet precisely because they are not my brand. They don't meet expectations of the past. Or -- maybe they're not good enough yet, in this newly emerging version of myself, and that's totally fine too. I could force it. But I'm pretty sure anything written under force wouldn't be great either. (This all, this is the part that's terrifying.)
That last paragraph particularly hit home, especially “not rushing toward making meaning out of something that actually requires time.” The relief I felt hearing that was so visceral I almost cried. Thank you for continually showing up and sharing what’s on your heart. I look forward to reading your newsletters every week - I find myself holding out for them a little, they’re super precious to me (and I know to so many others too) xx
Love the list format.
It's so refreshing to read messaging of acceptance and compassion rather than changing and "bettering". Thank you <3. Your writing always reminds me that I am doing enough, that I am enough, and I can breathe.
Oh, how I hope you write that just for you book and that I somehow get to read it. You’ve yet to write a word I don’t hold close and turn over and sit with. ❤️
Every word of this list helped me sink deeper into my own humanity. My own messy human-ness (or human-mess?), my own slow and meandering way. thank you once again this week, for writing what I needed to read.
Also, how did i not know until this very moment that what i really need is an outdoor red claw foot tub. life, as I knew it, is wholly incomplete.
And…as for not being an artist so you can’t do art or try making stuff… I always wanted to make just one quilt and never allowed myself to do it because… so many unjustified reasons… and then one day I took a class and made one quilt to give away to a children’s charity. And guess what?! I became a quilt artist THAT DAY and have made hundreds of quilts since! Making quilts is the balm for my soul.
Ugh thank you for all of these! When a friend recently asked how I’m doing I launched into a probably too long screed about the exhausting experience of swinging wildly between hope + utter despair for our collective future. And now at the risk of this being too long just want to say yes yes yes to everything re: children as well. ❤️ Thank you as always, I always feel such calm on Sunday mornings after reading your newsletter. (Also, you are an artist. Okay, I’m done!)
YES! "A swirl of thoughts about optimization culture — about the pressure to better everything about ourselves and our lives — about the freedom of embracing my un-remodeled kitchen and my old coffeemaker and everything about myself and my life that may never get “upgraded” but are good enough as is."
Lisa, this comment is very overdue. I want to thank you for being a continual bright star and thread of introspection and hope through these times. I think I first found you during the lockdown and was comforted in your observations and writings. Now I look forward to reading your weekly newsletter and deeply thinking about all that you write but also I truly enjoy exploring your music suggestions and sparks of interest. I am so grateful to find links to people and places that I don’t think I would have found otherwise, you are a wonderful curator. And from the bottom of my heart, I beg you to write what it is you want to write for yourself. I hope you try it, I hope you encourage yourself like you would encourage anyone else. And last thing for now (there could be so much more), we are all artists, lean into the childlike fun of it and enjoy. Thank you again. You are a gem.
I love your Sunday shares with your community of people! I really, REALLY love that somebody besides me will listen to a song 5000 times on repeat!!
"What it can look like to not need to be the smartest or the best. What it can look like to embrace mediocrity where it is. What it can look like to stop trying so hard. What it can look like to own our shortcomings, the things that don’t come so naturally, the parts of us that aren’t so gifted or well-rehearsed." Oof. Loved this one and have been thinking about this a lot lately too. After changing careers I recently have found myself as an occasional teacher (AKA supply/substitute). There are times I am pretty bad at it and I am practicing accepting this truth and not having it mean anything bigger about myself. It's a new thing and it's a challenging thing and I have not been doing it for long. Why should I (or anyone else) expect me to be exceptional at it? I am trying not to ignore the small wins (making a connection with the student, troubleshooting a tech issue, having a nice conversation with another teacher, etc.). I might be a really bad occasional teacher for as long as I am one. I will probably learn things and get better. And honestly, as long as everyone is safe and shown respect, does it really matter if I am the best? Probably not. (Also I should note that because I live in Canada I am quite well-compensated for this job and feeling like I need to 'earn' what I earn might be fueling some of the difficulties with embracing mediocrity...)
I resonate with so much here. Especially not always trying to grow, read self-help books, etc. I want to just be more and more.
Thank you for these words, they are healing me in ways I can’t truly express 💛🧡
I look forward to your next book, whatever it is about, whenever it emerges. ❤️
Just love this. Especially the theme of not turning everything into content, or sharing things before they’re ready, to have been processed in the way they need to be. A beautiful reminder that we can step back and take our time with ourselves, and eachother.
All of this resonated with me so much. As I continue to look at how I have thought so much (SO MUCH) in my life about what other people want and need, and now these past few years (and these past few months, weeks, days, always) look at what I want and need, there is so much joy in doing what's right for me. It is both vital and terrifying.
I have been writing the books that feel good to write, and they haven't found publishers yet precisely because they are not my brand. They don't meet expectations of the past. Or -- maybe they're not good enough yet, in this newly emerging version of myself, and that's totally fine too. I could force it. But I'm pretty sure anything written under force wouldn't be great either. (This all, this is the part that's terrifying.)
Thanks for sharing Lisa. I can tell you, you are not alone in contemplating many of these cultural norms that have been thrust upon us