Not many people would be able to offer this much self reflection and wisdom so soon after such monumental life changes, but I’m grateful you have. Thank you for sharing with us! 💛💛
Maddie: this post shows just how much you have processed and learned this year. It shows a huge level of introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth. And, I have to say: it could be a book. Truly. This is absolutely one of those "pillar" posts/pieces of content that could be fleshed out into something bigger... something that would help a lot of people. (If this feels like a big comment to read, I apologize! My editor eyes can't be stopped, haha.) Thank you for taking the time to piece this together and share what you've learned with us. On a personal level, the creativity lessons feel particularly true. That's the stage I've been in for the past 2 years. Creativity has helped me figure out who I am now, get a glimpse of who I might become, and connect with some wonderful new people too. ❤️
Oh gosh, I am tearing up reading this. 🥹 Thank you, Cait! No need to apologize for the "bigness" of your comment, because expanding this framework into book format is actually something I've been considering...and something I'm hoping to tiptoe into next year. So hearing this from you—a successful author!!—feels wildly validating, and is deeply appreciated.
Three cheers for the connecting and self-discovery powers of creativity! ❤️
Jordan, this means the world to me! Thank you so much. I’m cheering you on when it comes to your own book goal in 2024. 🙌
Cait’s the expert here, to be sure, but here are the tentative baby steps that have helped me in these early days: setting up a project in Scrivener, building a very rough outline, and committing to a tiny daily word count goal. I’ll be curious to hear what works for you!
So much wisdom here!! I made note of two in particular in my journal as I was reading: learning self-advocacy skills is an active process, seeking support before it becomes an emergency, and committing to 15 seconds of courage. Thank you Maddie.
Knowing that these resonated with you is, genuinely, the most heart-swelling compliment imaginable. I really appreciate hearing how this piece landed with you, Charlie!
i learned a new phrase today, "certainty anchors." thank you for this rather resonant thought that i have more tools in my box to break inertia than i remembered. i like the idea of creativity being used as way to move forward, as it is generative (much nicer than thinking it's potentially wasted time!) <3
I’m so happy to hear that this idea was a resonant one! 🤗 And creative time is never wasted time in my book, so: full permission to lean into that side of yourself!
Loved this post. This year I realized that uncertainty is the state of being alive and needs to be embraced as such. Death is perhaps the only certain state.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot this year, as my husband dies of cancer as we’re starting a family. Wrote about it recently as well:
Bess, my heart goes out to you and Jake. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your writing—I hope it’s been helpful to have an outlet for everything you’re feeling and learning during this impossible time. And I know it’ll help every single person who’s going through something similar and feels “seen” by your words.
Sending a big virtual hug your way! “Uncertainty is the state of being alive and needs to be embraced as such”—this, exactly.
This is beautiful, Maddie. So much wonderful wisdom. What Winston said: "When you're going through Hell, keep going!" There is light on the other side. Sometimes, you just have to be the one to strike the match. xo
✳️ I’m curious to hear from you. Which of these lessons resonates the most with you—and what would you add to this list?
Not many people would be able to offer this much self reflection and wisdom so soon after such monumental life changes, but I’m grateful you have. Thank you for sharing with us! 💛💛
Oh gosh—you're truly the best, Aliza. Thank you so much! 🥹
Maddie: this post shows just how much you have processed and learned this year. It shows a huge level of introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth. And, I have to say: it could be a book. Truly. This is absolutely one of those "pillar" posts/pieces of content that could be fleshed out into something bigger... something that would help a lot of people. (If this feels like a big comment to read, I apologize! My editor eyes can't be stopped, haha.) Thank you for taking the time to piece this together and share what you've learned with us. On a personal level, the creativity lessons feel particularly true. That's the stage I've been in for the past 2 years. Creativity has helped me figure out who I am now, get a glimpse of who I might become, and connect with some wonderful new people too. ❤️
Oh gosh, I am tearing up reading this. 🥹 Thank you, Cait! No need to apologize for the "bigness" of your comment, because expanding this framework into book format is actually something I've been considering...and something I'm hoping to tiptoe into next year. So hearing this from you—a successful author!!—feels wildly validating, and is deeply appreciated.
Three cheers for the connecting and self-discovery powers of creativity! ❤️
I wholeheartedly agree with this!
Thank you *so* much, Charlie! 🤗
Piggy-backing on Cait here, I think a book could be in the cards for you Maddie!
I also have the goal of putting my project into a book format (an epistolary novel), however, it seems daunting on where to even begin.
Perhaps our friend Cait can chime in on where to begin? 😉
Jordan, this means the world to me! Thank you so much. I’m cheering you on when it comes to your own book goal in 2024. 🙌
Cait’s the expert here, to be sure, but here are the tentative baby steps that have helped me in these early days: setting up a project in Scrivener, building a very rough outline, and committing to a tiny daily word count goal. I’ll be curious to hear what works for you!
Awesome, thanks for the insight ... Always open to hearing what works for others!
I’m going to be reading this throughout the year, Maddie. Thank you for doing this for us! ✨❤️
I’m really touched to hear this, Jolene. Thank *you* for all the beautiful work you’ve put into the world this year! ❤️
🤗
So much wisdom here!! I made note of two in particular in my journal as I was reading: learning self-advocacy skills is an active process, seeking support before it becomes an emergency, and committing to 15 seconds of courage. Thank you Maddie.
Knowing that these resonated with you is, genuinely, the most heart-swelling compliment imaginable. I really appreciate hearing how this piece landed with you, Charlie!
It does indeed take bravery and courage to build community. Thank you for being brave that day, we continue to reap the rewards of that 15 seconds :)
So grateful to have met you that day, my friend! 🤗
i learned a new phrase today, "certainty anchors." thank you for this rather resonant thought that i have more tools in my box to break inertia than i remembered. i like the idea of creativity being used as way to move forward, as it is generative (much nicer than thinking it's potentially wasted time!) <3
I’m so happy to hear that this idea was a resonant one! 🤗 And creative time is never wasted time in my book, so: full permission to lean into that side of yourself!
Loved this post. This year I realized that uncertainty is the state of being alive and needs to be embraced as such. Death is perhaps the only certain state.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot this year, as my husband dies of cancer as we’re starting a family. Wrote about it recently as well:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bessstillman/p/uncertainty-is-the-state-of-being?r=16l8ek&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Bess, my heart goes out to you and Jake. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your writing—I hope it’s been helpful to have an outlet for everything you’re feeling and learning during this impossible time. And I know it’ll help every single person who’s going through something similar and feels “seen” by your words.
Sending a big virtual hug your way! “Uncertainty is the state of being alive and needs to be embraced as such”—this, exactly.
This is beautiful, Maddie. So much wonderful wisdom. What Winston said: "When you're going through Hell, keep going!" There is light on the other side. Sometimes, you just have to be the one to strike the match. xo
What a quote. 🔥 Definitely one to scribble on a Post-It and affix it to the mirror. Thank *you* for your wisdom—and your kindness!