16 Comments

Thank you a thousand times over for this. I am struggling with the fear of even starting my own Substack…mainly asking myself “will anyone be interested in what I am drawn to writing about?” And “can I ‘fit’ those things into one Substack and still have it be somehow cohesive?” You’ve given me some great questions that I think may give me the huge kick in the butt I need to actually START!

Expand full comment

Noticing every little detail, as if I’m viewing life through a macro lens, is the curse I’m turning into a blessing by constantly writing. My problem is I generate so much writing, and barely have time to comb through it for publishable gold; that endeavor is the thing I am convinced I don’t have time to do. I’m inspired by this two-part post to examine my self-limiting beliefs—for real this time.

Expand full comment

Thanks Jeanine, I’m with you re grace … it can be and become a big wide generous field. Gateless x

Expand full comment

Thank you for the mention!

Expand full comment

I'm with you, Jeannine, and my new WITD friends, grateful to be learning how to write beautifully in my own voice with desire and curiosity, bravely celebrating the soggy steps we are all taking! Congratulations on the two-year milestone, and on this gorgeous and generous account of growing a creative life! I look forward to all that we will learn in the next year! xo

Expand full comment

Thank you, Tracey!! I am looking forward to our next year writing together, too (and your voice is all of that and more!) xoxo

Expand full comment

“I am trying to build a beautiful place devoted to writing and the writing life, where people can ignite or re-ignite a writing practice, learn new and powerful ways to bring themselves to the page, re-invigorate their relationship with language, and find real community.” You have accomplished this a hundred times over! I’m taking your main points to my journal so I can reflect on them more. May the coming year bring you many more reasons to celebrate all you have created. You have greatly enriched the lives of many others. Sending love and gratitude for the blessing of knowing you in this space.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, Sally. Love to you!

Expand full comment

Oh, this!! An especially important post, (they all feel that way,) as I’m grappling with value, voice, and alignment. This list. Wow! Desire and wanting being different, (stars!) Friendship, authentic generosity. Passion. Jeannine , I am so grateful that I’ve chosen to live a creative life. I don’t measure it by my bank account, or the awards I will or will not win. Each day I rise with the question, “how do I want to feel today— how can I make a little beauty in the world?” On this Solstice, your words have illuminated mine. 💝

Expand full comment

How do I want to feel today? << This, exactly this. Love to you on this solstice day, Barbara!

Expand full comment

Gah, Jeannine— there’s so much in these posts, in my heart. Overflowing. I am going to savor these for my circles of quiet in these next weeks and just forever, really. Thank you, again. ❤️xoxo

Expand full comment

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you Jeannine. So much in there for me.

Expand full comment

Yay. Thank you for being here. xoxo

Expand full comment

Loved this post. Thank you. The part about giving graciously [a close cousin of unconditional love] without expecting anything in return resonated with me. So much of social media, commenting, reviews, etc. is just the opposite.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Sue!

Expand full comment