Hard relate to: "It turns out that identifying the obstacles is the easy part, in my case it’s me. I’m the one getting in the way of writing what I want and need to write. Working out how to stop getting in my own way is the tough bit."
I think 'getting out of our own way' is essentially what I've been learning to do in life, full stop - not just in writing. I think that 99 times out 100 it is indeed us that is the obstacle; as you say, learning how to stop getting in our own way is tough, and a life's work. But absolutely essential.
(I've found it spills into my writing too: my main characters are always their worst enemy; I am far less interested in a classic 'antagonist' character than I am in working out how the protagonist is their own antagonist too! :))
Yes I think January gets a bad rap, the season of failed resolutions, rashly-made then broken promises, for so many people. But it is the middle of winter, in the Northern Hemisphere at least, a time when our bodies need rest and rejuvenation and a go-slow. I think it's totally okay - and necessary - to go with the flow and let things just unfold and go where they want instead of forcing them. I'm glad you got some clarity re your writing direction, although I did enjoy the nostalgia in your piece at Spoken Word :)
Excited to see where this year takes you Harriet, literally!
Thanks so much Teresa, I have a feeling nostalgia will always feature in my writing one way or another. There are too many rich moments and memories to mine! It would be a shame to ignore them :) And you're absolutely right about just letting things unfold, tanks as always for reading and commenting! See you at writing group soon, Hx
Such a thoughtful piece and beautifully expressed. Sometimes we are not meant to go at life full tilt, sometimes our steps need to be slower or stutter a little. It helps us take in the view and make sure we’re on the right (or is that write) track?
Thanks so much Geraldine, you're so right! I'm a bugger for going to hard, too fast and pushing things too much. I'm still learning to loosen my grip and let things unfold in the way their meant to. I love how these reminders come through the act of writing.
Thank YOU for trusting me with a conversation. You have been a big part of my month, and my gentle journey as an encourager. Love that your storytelling will evolve … looking forward to welcoming you to the merry band of fictioneers making sense of life through made up tales infused with real life emotions and knowledge. Happy Writing, Harriet.
This is where it gets interesting! My sister has lived in Wales all her adult life and is married to a Welsh/Italian. My other sister’s late husband was French and we are English with Irish heritage. My Bristolian husband tho still carries the wounded pride of a 16 year old rugby player beaten up one too many times by a strong Welsh schools side, so we’ll be Allez Les Bleus tonight. Six nations is always fun!
Here we have me, the Scot, JoJo, the Irish lass … living in France after 10 years living in Wales … don’t tell your Bristolian hubby I first started going to Kingsholm in 1978, so Glaws through and through. Mind you, England will never pick a Glaws lad so no divided loyalties there! Have fun. Santé 🍻
Sounds like you had a wonderful January, Harriet. I'd like to defend her reputation too...I really noticed a shift in the air yesterday as we head towards the end of winter. Happy Friday lovely xo
January Mondays included for me deciding to celebrate “Plough Monday” on my first day back amid heavy snow, inviting God’s blessing onto the tools of my trade (laptop, books and bright orange PPE rather than a plough!) I had two Mondays in a row where I was mid-laryngitis and had to ration my speaking to get to the end of the day (and then spending the evening whispering).
I received a tea bag at Stafford station from the Samaritans celebrating Brew Monday on 20th, and this reminded me of our family tradition of listening (my grandma, aunt, uncle and brother have all been Samaritans, and while I haven’t done the training I found myself supporting several people at work in the week before - ironically, while I was unable to speak much myself!)
So January has been mixed, but I concluded that we need the winter as much as we need the spring!
That's a full month, I hope you've recovered from the laryngitis - I remember you posting about it now and I wondered how you managed at work. I hadn't heard of Brew Monday (my sister is a Samaritan) but love that idea of encouraging people to connect, talk and be there to listen, especially over something as simple and easy to remember as a cup of tea.
Dear Harriet, I loved reading about your January: a month full of human connection, it seems to me! Thank you for highlighting two truths that apply to me too: that the writing shows the way, and that you are your own obstacle. It felt good reading these by another writer! We are already almost at mid February, but for me January was a very good start to the year, with positive changes all around. Keep writing and sharing!
Love this, Harriet.
Hard relate to: "It turns out that identifying the obstacles is the easy part, in my case it’s me. I’m the one getting in the way of writing what I want and need to write. Working out how to stop getting in my own way is the tough bit."
I think 'getting out of our own way' is essentially what I've been learning to do in life, full stop - not just in writing. I think that 99 times out 100 it is indeed us that is the obstacle; as you say, learning how to stop getting in our own way is tough, and a life's work. But absolutely essential.
(I've found it spills into my writing too: my main characters are always their worst enemy; I am far less interested in a classic 'antagonist' character than I am in working out how the protagonist is their own antagonist too! :))
Yes I think January gets a bad rap, the season of failed resolutions, rashly-made then broken promises, for so many people. But it is the middle of winter, in the Northern Hemisphere at least, a time when our bodies need rest and rejuvenation and a go-slow. I think it's totally okay - and necessary - to go with the flow and let things just unfold and go where they want instead of forcing them. I'm glad you got some clarity re your writing direction, although I did enjoy the nostalgia in your piece at Spoken Word :)
Excited to see where this year takes you Harriet, literally!
Tx
Thanks so much Teresa, I have a feeling nostalgia will always feature in my writing one way or another. There are too many rich moments and memories to mine! It would be a shame to ignore them :) And you're absolutely right about just letting things unfold, tanks as always for reading and commenting! See you at writing group soon, Hx
Such a thoughtful piece and beautifully expressed. Sometimes we are not meant to go at life full tilt, sometimes our steps need to be slower or stutter a little. It helps us take in the view and make sure we’re on the right (or is that write) track?
I always enjoy reading your work Harriet.
Thanks so much Geraldine, you're so right! I'm a bugger for going to hard, too fast and pushing things too much. I'm still learning to loosen my grip and let things unfold in the way their meant to. I love how these reminders come through the act of writing.
Thank YOU for trusting me with a conversation. You have been a big part of my month, and my gentle journey as an encourager. Love that your storytelling will evolve … looking forward to welcoming you to the merry band of fictioneers making sense of life through made up tales infused with real life emotions and knowledge. Happy Writing, Harriet.
I love that, 'tales infused with real life emotions and knowledge' I'll definitely have a Friday evening drink while watching the rugby to that!
We’ll be watching the French coverage - I declare it to be the only French lessons I’m taking! Wine, naturellement! Allez les Bleus!
This is where it gets interesting! My sister has lived in Wales all her adult life and is married to a Welsh/Italian. My other sister’s late husband was French and we are English with Irish heritage. My Bristolian husband tho still carries the wounded pride of a 16 year old rugby player beaten up one too many times by a strong Welsh schools side, so we’ll be Allez Les Bleus tonight. Six nations is always fun!
Here we have me, the Scot, JoJo, the Irish lass … living in France after 10 years living in Wales … don’t tell your Bristolian hubby I first started going to Kingsholm in 1978, so Glaws through and through. Mind you, England will never pick a Glaws lad so no divided loyalties there! Have fun. Santé 🍻
Sounds like you had a wonderful January, Harriet. I'd like to defend her reputation too...I really noticed a shift in the air yesterday as we head towards the end of winter. Happy Friday lovely xo
Happy Friday to you too! Yesterday was glorious here too, and the day before. Have a lovely weekend, Hx
January Mondays included for me deciding to celebrate “Plough Monday” on my first day back amid heavy snow, inviting God’s blessing onto the tools of my trade (laptop, books and bright orange PPE rather than a plough!) I had two Mondays in a row where I was mid-laryngitis and had to ration my speaking to get to the end of the day (and then spending the evening whispering).
I received a tea bag at Stafford station from the Samaritans celebrating Brew Monday on 20th, and this reminded me of our family tradition of listening (my grandma, aunt, uncle and brother have all been Samaritans, and while I haven’t done the training I found myself supporting several people at work in the week before - ironically, while I was unable to speak much myself!)
So January has been mixed, but I concluded that we need the winter as much as we need the spring!
That's a full month, I hope you've recovered from the laryngitis - I remember you posting about it now and I wondered how you managed at work. I hadn't heard of Brew Monday (my sister is a Samaritan) but love that idea of encouraging people to connect, talk and be there to listen, especially over something as simple and easy to remember as a cup of tea.
Dear Harriet, I loved reading about your January: a month full of human connection, it seems to me! Thank you for highlighting two truths that apply to me too: that the writing shows the way, and that you are your own obstacle. It felt good reading these by another writer! We are already almost at mid February, but for me January was a very good start to the year, with positive changes all around. Keep writing and sharing!