Loved this gentle meander around the idea of routine, and those poems, Harriet! It’s been feast or famine re routines for me these past few years but currently trying a list of daily ‘essentials’ before I tackle any ‘additionalities’. This seems to be working, but like you, my regular writing practice has fallen off that list of essentials - or additionalities! - because I got stuck with my novel revision process and so everything writing-related stopped with it! It’s so easy to fall out of it but I’m going to make sure to include it in my daily ‘essentials’ now :)
This the second David Whyte quote I’ve read on Substack in the last two days and now I’ve got to go look for more.
Why we don’t do more of the very thing that nurtures and sustains us is the question, isn’t it? Working on that (always) myself. I think putting ourselves in the way of it (i.e. routines, dedicated spaces) and out of the way of other convenient distractions is key, along with getting clear on why we want to do the thing.
I love David Whyte's poetry and definitely need to lean into it more. Have you read any Padraig O'Tuama? I love his work too. I think you're right about working out why we want to do the thing but also working out why we put ourselves in the way of doing the thing we want/need to do. I think there are times with free writing where I'm protecting myself from going there, from putting stuff down on paper, making real whatever's running through my head even though I know that ultimately writing it out helps.
Loved this gentle meander around the idea of routine, and those poems, Harriet! It’s been feast or famine re routines for me these past few years but currently trying a list of daily ‘essentials’ before I tackle any ‘additionalities’. This seems to be working, but like you, my regular writing practice has fallen off that list of essentials - or additionalities! - because I got stuck with my novel revision process and so everything writing-related stopped with it! It’s so easy to fall out of it but I’m going to make sure to include it in my daily ‘essentials’ now :)
This the second David Whyte quote I’ve read on Substack in the last two days and now I’ve got to go look for more.
Why we don’t do more of the very thing that nurtures and sustains us is the question, isn’t it? Working on that (always) myself. I think putting ourselves in the way of it (i.e. routines, dedicated spaces) and out of the way of other convenient distractions is key, along with getting clear on why we want to do the thing.
I love David Whyte's poetry and definitely need to lean into it more. Have you read any Padraig O'Tuama? I love his work too. I think you're right about working out why we want to do the thing but also working out why we put ourselves in the way of doing the thing we want/need to do. I think there are times with free writing where I'm protecting myself from going there, from putting stuff down on paper, making real whatever's running through my head even though I know that ultimately writing it out helps.
Yes, that rings true; the avoidance that comes from a self-preservation instinct is strong.
I listen to Poetry Unbound and read his Substack but for some reason have not really read his poetry. I should seek that out. Thanks.
In the Shelter is just beautiful. All about home, belonging and living in a difficult, chaotic world.