I always come back here with an apology for not writing. However, I’ve been doing a great deal of it. I finished a book proposal for a book I am calling, “How To Be Old” (you have all inspired me) and submitted 2 essays for a writing class I’ve been taking that involves a workshop. I’ve also joined a writer’s group in my new city and submitted a potential introduction for the book. Thanks to something wonderful called London Writer’s Salon, I write at 8:00 AM each day for 50 minutes in the company of hundreds of writers of every stripe from all over the world, as we hold ourselves accountable to write silently together on Zoom. I’ve done this for all of June and as we end the month now, all of July. You set your intention in the chat, there’s an inspirational quote about writing and then you get to work. At the end, you report how you did. Offered 4 times a day hitting every time zone in the world it’s free and satisfies my need to be accountable. Since it worked so well for the other writing I’ve done I’m going to add the 11:00 AM time and dedicate it to writing for this blog.
During this exploration, I’ve also found my form or my genre, as they say. It’s loosely called a braided essay, one that incorporates both a personal story and research and that places that story in a greater context than having it be just about me. I have done it skeletally here when I talk about things like evocative objects. These are essays that can have meat put on their bones and that I am re-visiting with my new eye and craft skills learned in this class. This form is the container that holds the two parts of me that have felt so disconnected; the creative and academic, the art and the science. I feel whole in this kind of writing. The craft part is braiding the strands through seamless transitions and shifts in time.
What is behind the scenes and doesn’t show up on Instagram and I’ve not shared it here, is the struggle I’ve faced throughout the years to see myself as a writer and fully own that identity. To allow it. I had a written an earlier book proposal that was rejected as being too academic and not commercial enough. Making progress at all in this endeavor has been due to you because of your support and positive feedback about the writing I have done. It has made me keep on, keep trying. In so many interviews when people ask me why I started Accidental Icon, I always respond by saying that I wanted to express myself creatively and WRITE in a way that was different from academia.
When I look back at some of my earliest blog posts they are more akin to the way I wish to write now and how I’ve written since the start of the pandemic. Somehow along the way the priority that I WRITE became lost in the shiny stuff that came along with being a social media influencer. During this time of transition, I have re-found writing as a purpose again. Your response to my post, How to Be Old could not have come at a more opportune and necessary time. David Bowie tells us that, “Ageing is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” To me, he’s speaking about a ripening of what already is but continues to become more delicious and fragrant with time.
The Great Interrupter (my name for the pandemic for those who are new) still interrupts and may continue to do so for a time longer than we all believed. The rise in cases and breakthrough illness in those who are vaccinated is another opportunity to pause, perhaps given to us by nature yet again because so many people despite their promises not to have returned to living exactly as they did before.
During my first interruption, I realigned my priorities and changed my lifestyle in ways that made it more slow and sustainable, a renewed commitment to equity, a reconnection with the earth and writing, I still feel a deep, unformed as yet desire, to use my hands differently than simply putting clothes made by others on my body. I want to engage with a garment more intimately through some act of creation. I don’t want to break up with my love of clothes; I just want to change my relationship with them. It will be something new/old, like me and my house. It must include re-use. It needs to be something that also allows me to enjoy my love affair with nature, especially flowers. In this photo, the suit I am wearing, made from textile waste and sewn by a tailor somewhere in Africa is another designer’s desire. Mine does not yet have a form, but vague outlines are taking place and as things become more clear I will share them here.
Have you ever had a struggle with yourself about realizing something you want badly? How did you resolve it?
Good to see you’re writing again! Love reading what you are up to….
thanks
I agree with the comment of us not changing much despite thinking we would. I’m in the rat race. Just a few years to go, but I was hoping that 2020 would change how we work and spend our time, but no… maybe we aren’t ready ? Money and productivity remain our drivers. Maybe it wasn’t enough of a wake up call ? But as of this week I’m a breakthrough case, given some sweet time to stop producing for a few days.
It’s a real struggle, I could especially feel it this fashion week. But I am resisting as the changes I experienced are so valuable to me.
Guess I am a bit spoiled about girly girl things like perfume, clothing and accessories. I sometimes just need to pull back with my desires. On another note can you describe the gold ingot necklace you are wearing in the Facebook blog? Looks charming.
I have been a fashion designer/manufacturer in Australia for three plus decades.
I have a desire to write but don’t know where to start
Any suggestions ?
The thing that got me started was taking an online creative writing class and finding sites that gave writing prompts and then just free writing whatever came to mind and worrying about editing later. Here are some sites that give them:https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts.https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
Also if you need some structure the London Writer’s Salon is greathttps://londonwriterssalon.com/
Braided essay – how beautiful – the twist and turn of braid, colours and patterns that can appear and even in the undoing/unfolding other twists and shapes. The art of words that connect us emotionally I find amazing.
Your honesty Lyn is refreshing in a world full of “good impressions” but hiding the “real”
Your writings have helped me to recognise my “real”. For me I am realizing the acceptance of old age – something I have struggled with since my late 60’s when I stopped the hair colour! Being treated differently and feeling as if my whole self had become “beige” . At 77 thankfully I am healthy and active. I am happy with my own style, mixing things but not necessarily matching!!! Your blog is important and refreshing so please keep it going.
Thanks so much, I will continue and please continue to comment because I learn so much from all of you.
Unfortunately, I guess I really don’t give myself the opportunity to “struggle” with it. Sadly, I just give up. Rather than giving myself time to truly figure it out positively, I find reasons to convince myself that my idea won’t work.
We’ll have to work on changing those negative thought patterns and letting the postive thoughts take hold.
I am so happy that I am getting these posts!! You are so insightful and I find your writings very inspirational. You seem like a kindred spirit! I feel the same as you about a lotion things. Again, thank you and please keep posting .
Thank you, I will try to be consistent.
Life changed drastically in December when I lost the love of my life. During this “Great Interruption”, the events of December, the Ice-pocalypse we had in Texas in February that damaged my house I’ve started exploring ME again – an exercise that takes place for me, and I supposed many of us, after any life altering event. I started to examine once again who am I and what do I want that I have either put on the shelf for a long time or have discovered about my ever-evolving self.
One thing I want to do is start a YouTube channel. I started one called Golden Growth-Evolution through Aging. I realized that at my age and with my experience, I have a lot to offer someone coming up behind me. Problem is, every time I think of recording myself I get scared – stage fright, plus I need to learn to edit a video and enhance it to make it interesting and pleasing to the eye not just my face explaining some life lessons I’ve gathered so far in my many journeys around the sun.
The other is to sing again. My love was a musician and I used to sing when I was younger – beautiful ensemble work weaving intricate harmonies with other beautiful voices. Before his passing, I had begun singing harmony in he Sunday guitar circle (we called it Sunday School). That stage fright thing keeps me from singing in public, but the circle made me feel safe to express myself through my singing again. After his passing, I haven’t had the desire or motivation to seek out those opportunities. Recently I joined two other women in our own little guitar circle at my house. We blended our voices for the first time and it felt so good. We sounded pretty good too! We’ve decided to continue and see where it takes us.
My next goal is to do what you have done recently – I want to retire and move to a smaller town where my family live. I want to be a bigger part in the lives of my granddaughters, to be there for my mother as she ages (she’s 83 and great but that time will come). In the relocation, I want a little house with a big front porch to sit and have a glass of wine in the evening and listen to the birds.
So some of the things I have always wanted and don’t have are because I get in my own way. I consider myself really tough. The school of hard knocks has taught me a lot. As brave as I am – going through a divorce, raising kids alone, buying my own home, working hard to move up at work, facing cancer, caring for the love of my life as he left this world, and the ordeal of getting the work done in the house to repair the damage assisted by Mother Nature, I am still finding the courage for the things that currently intrigue me the most.
Thank you for your writings and sharing your perspective, thoughts, dreams and insights. You are an inspiration for me to get out of my own way and pursue these passions.
Keep writing. Life is fluid. Do what feels best. I’ve just gone back to (paid) work this week after a 24 year hiatus raising my kids and supporting my husband and loving being at home. I went back to school for a second degree in a subject about which I’m passionate, and now I’m working in that field. I’m definitely “ripening”, as you’ve so aptly described it. I love writing too. And reading. Write that book. I’m interested in your perspective….
Thanks so much, all this encouragement means so much.
This is a blueprint for a life well-lived and an inspiring story of resilience. Thank you so much for sharing it here. we are all role models for each other and learn and grow from comments as well.
Going to check out your you tube channel. Keep on keeping on , I have no doubt you will be sitting on that porch in no time!
You go girl! Love your vibe… you really inspire me!
Thanks!
Thank you!
Yay on the book proposal! So happy to see! All very best, Patricia, Minneapolis
Let’s see what happens now!
I love your hair! Any hair tips for those of us trying to achieve beautiful hair like yours?
Stay tuned doing a sponsored blog post about it soon.
I am a creative (Parsons) but starting a writing path so this resonates with me. The challenge for me has been writing from the heart. This is what touches people and when I am most often encouraged to be a writer but I find it difficult to do all the time. It can be draining. You continue to inspire me in every way when I read your blog though!
I find that kind of writing occurs in the moment you least expect it. There’s alot of writing that never gets there but suddenly it does.
I just discovered you!, love reading your blog. So nice to see an older beautiful woman confident in herself,and her intelligence, always learning always growing.
I struggle with imposter syndrome all the time it seems lately as I explore my artistic self now , finally, later in life, as I hand dye &re-imagine ‘unwanted’ clothing, giving it new life. I feel like I need to apologize for charging for something that I lovingly created over many hours and many days. So, I understand. But I get excited to wake up in the morning so I can play with some of the ideas in my head, so that tells me I’m doing what I should be doing. I too love your writing, this post was beautifully expressed. Looking forward to your book. I love that suit too, it makes me happy.
Living authentically means we are absolutely not imposters. Sounds like what you are doing is beautiful.
Imposter syndrome! Describes me beautifully. I’ve loved art in one form or another from my childhood. I loved to read (and still do) and started with Enid Blyton’s Famous Five which set my imagination free to roam. Glorious times. I always felt I had a book in me but waited; not sure for what, but I danced with idea for many years. A family, divorce, work, study and on it goes. Three chapters and nothing. Perhaps I’m still waiting, who knows.
Now I’m in my 64th year. I love photography and I’m not bad at it but… You can see the hesitation in that sentence can’t you. Am I waiting for permission to say I’m good at something? Possibly.
During these mind altering times we’re living through I’ve been finding out who I am. I’ve embraced the grey and loving it. I’m growing comfortable in myself. I wear the clothes and colours I love. I’m fit and reasonably healthy. I love my job and I’m good at it. It’s in Child and Adolescent Mental Health working with young people who attempt to take their lives. I have no problem saying I’m good at my role in this instance. It isn’t without its stresses and distresses and I think that I will need to put myself first in a little while.
I’ve also discovered I love Alcohol Ink art. And I’m told I am good. I’m told I should sell my work. And yet I still struggle with idea that someone will find me a fraud. Say I’m not good enough and I’ll be found out. However, I aim, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me; to print some of my work and offer it for sale. It’s time. If no one buys any I will have some great artwork on my walls. In the mean time – where possibilities lay – I will watch and read these amazing posts and learn from them.
Isn’t it funny how we always allow ourselves to accept that we are good at taking care of others. I also felt great pride in being a social worker. So we’ll sit in the uncomfort but not let it stop us so start printing that work.
In the question you posed, are you using the word “realizing” to mean becoming fully aware of? Or using it to mean “causing to happen”?
good question both I think.
I am new to your blog and I love, love, love what you write! In answer to your question – I want freedom. Specifically financial freedom. Hard to attain as an artist. How have I resolved this want/desire – so far it can’t be resolved. I have accepted that some wants/desires will never be resolved. But as I write this I discovered something. My resolve comes through my art. Photos I take, paintings I paint and mostly characters I create. They live free, lovely lives, yet not without problems. They usually are beautiful, wealthy and talented. They are everything I am not. Thank you for sharing your wonderful self with us!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I’m newly retired after a 40 year career in corporate America, and am not stuggling to fulfill something I want. Instead, trying to decide what to do next. I’m currently purging unneeded / unwanted / unused stuff out of my house, but want to do something more meaningful once that’s done. So many volunteer opportunities that I feel overwhelmed, and also want to focus on playing guitar and congas. You are inspiring in that you picked something and are diving in…sure hope I can do the same.
I like your Bowie reference in regard to getting older. I have noticed that the older I get the more I lean toward becoming the person I was trying so hard not to become during most of my life. I think I finally figured out that it is ok to become who you are, even if you don’t yet know who that is.
Wisest words ever.
I love watching your growth and transformation. As someone who just turned 71 – which is wholly unbelievable to me – I am keeping an eye out for your book. I’m still working and kind of love it, but possibly for all the wrong reasons. I’m also serving as campaign manager for a candidate who could be my son, so it’s likely I’ve still got a bit to offer. Those things, writing and animating/graphics feed me, and I don’t see giving them up any time soon. Still…tick tock.
As long as you are able, and want to…go for it.
Oh my how I need your book now! In the last two to three months I’ve been saying to myself, after a bit of a set back, someone needs to write a book about how to grow old. Are others, especially women, feeling as I do? Is this normal aging? I’m 86 so I’m anxious to read your book. Love the suit!
The proposal is in!
Footing solidly on the plank, nice. Love the hair, and you inspire me, and others with your writing, your passion for authenticity and willingness to be open…and yes, grandmothers give and get spoiled by those lovely young people! It’s our privilege and reward.
Indeed it is!
Very inspiring ?❤
Thank you.
As to the struggle, yes, everyday. The daily struggle for form and belief is part of the creative process. For me, anyway. It never goes away or gets wrapped up with a bow. But fighting for belief, faith, and commitment does not diminish or make the work more or less worthy. It just is.
Ah words of wisdom.
I love aging… even if I’m just 31. And this quote you mentioned, pretty much made me understand part of why I feel that aging is great.
Thanks for the tips on the writing group, it would be a pleasure to be part of it.
Wonderful, you will have years added to your life because you don’t have negative thoughts about being old. It’s not me saying it, it’s research.
Thank you for your creative flair – it inspires me to keep on
In my own search for creative expression. Bowie’ s reference that ageing is a process where the person becomes who you should always have been is working out in my life as a senior widow now.
I feel family, church, society prohibited little self expression, so now finally I get to play and discover & recover those undeveloped parts!
Any self expression in the 1940’s.
I’ve been reading your posts for awhile but have never submitted a comment before. The name Accidental Icon and your love of fashion, which I share wholeheartedly, are what initially attracted me. I will be 70 in February and still work part time as a Pilates teacher. I live in Scottsdale, Arizona and spend the summers in Moscow, Idaho with my beloved daughter, son in law and 4 year old grandson.
I have always embraced aging and feel that the last 20 years have been the best of my life. I’ve been married to the same man for 39 years (he’s 83) and somehow we still manage to love, like and tolerate each other!!! About a year ago, I joined an online community of about 45 women and the experience has been positively life changing. I’m the oldest member and wish a group like this existed when I was younger. I love the idea of your book because growing older has been an honor and pleasure for me.
I loved your description of the flower farm. In Idaho we have one that we go to regularly and it’s also based on the honor system. My daughter and I also take flower arranging classes at a farm in a neighboring town.
Thanks again for your inspirational … and of course … always fashionable posts.
Thank you for giving an example of how these years are not something to be feared but rather a time to relish in the people and things we love.
I designed online ‘courses’ (more self-guided readings around the subject of seeing one’s self as a writer) so given what you’ve said above, would love for you to take a look. Many years ago, I developed a class for people who didn’t think of themselves as writers, yet they wanted to be writers. That underlying concept morphed into my doctoral work.
I love that and I will, thanks for sharing it.
I’m still struggling and have not found a lasting way to resolve/face/engage my desires.
Keep writing.
Keep struggling and keep coming here, because I will keep writing.
Greetings from Australia. Another wonderful post that ‘speaks to me’ on many levels. As I continue to ‘ripen’ through my sixties, I feel the courage to do so by reading these inspirational posts.
Well, then I’ll have to keep them coming.
What a great post and photo. Life is balancing… I agree about ageing, ‘Becoming the person you always should have been’. I’m looking forward to your book “How te be old”. Kind regards MisjaB
Thank you, you are an inspiration through your photography.
The suit is, as younger people say, dope (really great).
I’m inspired reading your blog. I’ve had one in the works for a while but haven’t committed to it because I fear not being able to publish consistently. I love the idea of the online workshop as a tool for helping you commit to writing regularly.
Like you, I write a lot but in my case, it is still for work, which makes it hard to pursue creative writing. I do sew though…quite a bit. I love working with fabrics and ideas. I love remaking and altering old garments. For me “the great interruption” was a great opportunity to slow down, stop commuting, write, sew and garden. I made things, grew things, spent time enjoying nature. Now, as life returns to what it was, I am trying to hold on to some of what I enjoyed over the past year and a half. It’s tough to not get caught in the same vortex that was my life before. There was a reason why I had gone there in the first place. I appreciate that. Still, I glimpsed that person I was always meant to be when I stepped away from my regular life. For the next several years I feel it will be about finding balance, until I retire.
Reading your blog reminds me to go forward boldly and in my own unique way, unafraid of what comes next, willing and able to rock my gray hair and different (yet chic) clothing, and yes, even my aging and oh so short body. In some ways, we’ve got what we’ve got. Recognizing, accepting and enjoying that matters as much as continuing to learn and to grow.
Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I feel the pull to go back to how it was but am doing my best to resist. Good luck in your quest for balance and seeing a vision of who you were meant to be.
Your feelings about writing mirror my own. I have struggled with shifting from academic writing into something freer and more creative, but since I retired four years ago I have been working hard to get into it. I undertook a short creative writing course and began the discipline of NaNoWriMo last year. I like the sound of the London group and shall look it up – thank you. I still find many reasons/excuses not to just still and write, but I am getting better at it. You’re an inspiration in this, as always.
Thank you. I’ll be posting something on coming to allow myself the pleasure of writing, stat tuned and keep writing.
Welcome back. Sounds like a lovely summer spent with daughter and granddaughter in your new rural environment. I’m a granny now and am embracing that and my new elderly decade. But Covid and three draconian lockdowns in U.K. Since Spring 2020 have enforced long separations and provided a lot of strain. The little one year old, my son and daughter in law all caught Covid this spring via her nursery. Horrible worrying times for all concerned. But everyone came through this episode okay.
What have I done as a counterpoint on the creative front when museums and galleries were forced to close and I could no longer see them and write reviews ? First I watched plays and ballets online and followed museums via virtual gallery going. Then I participated in online art classes organised by the Whitney and one organised by the San Francisco museum on a quilt maker. I participated in online Mending classes via Zoom organised by the Toast clothing company. I wrote a review of the new darning and Mending movement and the artist Molly Martin’s new book ” The Art of Repair ” for TNMA website . Last weekend I did an interactive workshop on Visible Mending with Celia Pym. I’ve rediscovered my love of hand sewing and skills in needlework I learned at primary school age. And this will continue as I repurpose my clothing to make Loved Clothes Last.
On the physical side throughout the lockdowns I’ve practiced yoga via the closed studios and teachers I know in real life. These Zoom sessions have provided employment and focus to the laid-off freelance teachers as well as keeping mind and body together for me. Not to mention muscles. That continues plus regular real life swimming in a beautiful lido near my house. This has been a real luxury. And I shall continue regular swims and aquaerobics there through September.
The idea for a new book How to be Old. Versus how to look ten years younger sounds like a good project which I would happily read when it appears. Good luck with that.
I like your new look with flowing white locks more than the severe geometric cuts. Mine is more of a salt and pepper grey in a near shoulder length bob. I’ve grown used to my longer hair which is more flattering around the jawline and perfectly versatile tied back for exercise.
This pivot you made during the lockdown is so inspiring. No matter what that urge to keep growing animates and inspires us, thansk for being such a great example to others.
I am so happy to receive your latest post! Please, never abandon this Enlightening Website, I can hardly wait till your new book comes out! It’s like you almost comically refer to ‘being old’ as a joke. The Real us is, indeed in our souls. We still go strong in making salient contributions in just plain living. We find the beauty in just being alive as we keep moving on to new heights in adventure! You look Great, I think living upstate has created a new ‘you’! I don’t think it’s by any ‘accident’ that you have become an Icon!
Oh my blushing right now but I certainly feel there is a New/Old me!
I can’t wait for your book to come out!!!
The proposal is in!
Beautifully written and expressed! Like a breath of fresh air. So inspiring!
Thank you.
Enjoy you and your writing. Sounds like you have enjoyed your time with family while pursuing and perfecting your writing goals. I think you are a bit of a perfectionist so just wanted to alert you to a wee typo, see below.
“I had a written an earlier book”…
Thank you lovely lady for your wise words and helping me see beauty in different ways.
Thank you, appreciate the edit.
A talented photographer once told me that the best images are the result of eliminating all but the essential. Now retired, I have given away most of my working wardrobe and am enjoying re-calibrating to a simple distillation of essentials only. To fill in gaps for my largely casual life ,(gardening & painting) eBay & vintage are my chief resource. The world has too much clothing! I appreciate your point of view on this issue!
Yes, it is one of the worst offenders and making do with less is one way we can do something.
Enjoyed your contact again. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Thank you, Lyn, for continuing to inspire us. Here is something I heard a while back: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them (Andy Bernard aka Ed Helms, “The Office”). As we age, we look back on so many meaningful memories, and they seem so poignant, vibrant, and alive. Our long-term memory sustains us when we feel like our present self is not as exciting as it once was, at least with me. Another quote that I read decades ago: “Thank God for eyelids: all we have to do is close them and we can be anywhere.” So, when I get nostalgic for those good old days, I allow myself to bathe in those events (eyes closed), then I come back to reality thankful for the present. The new me is so much more aware of our planet, preferring to buy from resale shops, paying attention to ingredients in cosmetics, keeping up with recycling, and appreciating the enchantment of nature, like the tall blue herons that often land on my neighbor’s pier, the dolphins that swim by now and then, and amazing sunrises and sunsets.
What a gift! I am feeling the same.
Lyn, I look forward to your posts. I like your hair long like it shows in the photo. You look great! How to Grow Old interests me very much. You model aging gracefully for me. Those of us of a certain age need that. Thank you! Joanie
The proposal is submitted so fingers crossed!f
Your posts are inspirational – and to think that I initially subscribed because of your clothes! I still love them but you have given me so much more than that.
I esp. love your quote from David Bowie, “Ageing is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” So true! I’m 74 and have been devoting my pandemic time to watercolor painting, an interest set aside for practical reasons. I’m enjoying the process of discovery and am trying hard not to need affirmation from others for what I’ve made.
Looking forward to your next blog, and your book.
I am so happy for you, what a beautiful thing to do something just for yourself and for the sake of doing it.
I came looking for you tonight – well now it’s actually this morning – because I have missed you Lyn.
Glad all is going well and that you have found more to write about. A new book will be awaited while the world continues to moan and groan around us – like an old ship’s timbers longing to sail the oceans again!
What do I want badly? To ‘cross the pond’ home to England next month (have had to cancel several times due to COVID!) and see my remaining family and friends. We are all aging and a chunk of life has been stolen from us.
Take care – and surprise us more often please – like this post, another where you blow me away with your clothes………and shoes!
Hugs – Mary
I will do! Enjoy your trip and be safe.
looking foward for your book!!! would like to translate it into Chinese, where i think people like u are desperately lacked and needed. AI AND TNMA are the two websites on my viewing list and click regularly to check for new post. I am rereading the Self-Portrait by Celia Paul who is an acclaimed British aritst with distinguished painting style, and had a relationship with Lucian Freud. The book is well written. By recording the past, she realized the person she is now is still the same teenager she was decades ago. As I am aging, I find it so true.
Thank you, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to pick it up.
I just found your blog, and I already feel a connection. I am an aging English professor, and I love fashion! In fact, each semester I read comments from student evals about my style.
Like you, I struggle with balancing my love of fashion with my concern for social justice, sustainability and fair trade. Over the summer, I have been working with an organization in Africa to create an opportunity for my Composition students to have a virtual exchange with a group from Africa. We will be researching and writing about the impact of capitalist consumption patterns and their impact on the rest of the world, specifically fashion and electronics (cobalt mining). Students will also write narratives about either their connection to fashion or to electronics.
In an effort to be more creative and less academic, I have been considering starting a similar type of blog. I have also started taking drawing classes. We are still becoming who we were meant to be! I look forward to seeing you blossom even more, and I would welcome any tips or suggestions you are willing to share. What us the writing group you have committed to?
Well, those are certainly some wonderful actions to advance the cause! The writing group is called the London Writers Salon. here’s the link https://writershour.com/
Thanks for your inspiration. Love the simple yet substantial changes you made as a result of TGI in the first lockdown. Powerful. Also looking forward to seeing what is emerging re: your passion for clothes in this new reality of considered impact.
Well, step one is not buying anything new, step 2 is selling clothes to resale for store credit and getting re=sale instead when I want something new. Been cutting down on the number of gifts I accept not just for the actual garment but all the paper and delivery and cost of getting it to me.
Absolutely love your blog, and absolutely relate to every word! You, as others said, look absolutely fabulous…but I applaud you for standing on what looks like a balance beam AND arms stretched out AND being photographed…without skipping a beat ( or falling like I probably would)! You are great!
Thank you! I actually practice standing on one foot every day as it will help maintain your balance as you age.Also getting up and down from the floor.
I think its rather strange that at the age of 54 I am only now becoming the woman I was always meant to be. All the mistakes and hiccups while devastating at the time were neccessary to my becoming and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Yes, I wish we could share this with our younger selves but maybe young women if they stop being afraid of getting old can hear our stories and learn something important.
This “gift of time” has allowed me, at 66, to lean into the left side of my brain, after 40 years of right side, corporate, managing others. My hands have reached for the oil paints and brushes I’ve known were me. It is not for the purpose of making an income, purely for creating.
Social media seems to be in whirl of constant movement, travel, parties, at a time when we (and the world) could benefit and get healthier for sitting still. So, your words spoke to me…”The Great Interrupter (my name for the pandemic for those who are new) still interrupts and may continue to do so for a time longer than we all believed. The rise in cases and breakthrough illness in those who are vaccinated is another opportunity to pause, perhaps given to us by nature yet again because so many people despite their promises not to have returned to living exactly as they did before. ”
Thank you.
We need so much to reflect and feel and social media does not promote that.