Love this, Jen. I’m also a dweller in between possibility and doom, and tulips have taught me something about perseverance, too. I wrote about that recently. When I’m stuck as a writer (or swirling towards the doom end of the spectrum) I’m learning to go for a walk, especially with the slow sniffy dog. She helps me get out of my head and pay attention to my senses. We watched Shrinking recently, and are now in the second season of Somebody Somewhere. Recommend!
Wonderful musings, Jen. Ultimately, despite our ego, we are in control of so little in this world. Being able to notice random gifts, like the tulips and the rainbow, help us through our days. You post was my radom gift today!
When I write my Rocky Point newsletter, it helps me to write down titles of pieces that I have no idea how I'm going to complete. I take one of those titles and plunge right in, having little judgement while I write and then I edit and prune, throwing words away left and right. By the time I type in the release time for my post, I'm filled with surprise that the piece is done. Lots of "flow" states are involved and it's a truly mysterious process.
Been watching "The Chosen" about Christ, streaming on Peacock. Viewing him as he probably was, away from the baggage of formal religion, is revelatory. Started the "Last of Us" on HBO and it's very well done. "Ted Lasso" is coming near its end and I'll be sad to see it go.
"My personality is a weird combination of glass-half-empty and don’t-worry-we’ll-be-fine."
I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure this is imprinted in the DNA code of all Gen X'ers. It's part super power & part survival tactic.
...and as a fellow Gen X'er, I should probably be saying this with a sneer & some defensive irony, but when I'm stuck, I have a fidget spinner I play with. That and taking the dog for a walk usually help turn the word faucet back on.
Watching: My wife has once again roped me into a show- this time it's Succession. Also, Cold Case is on again on daytime TV, so there's that, too.
This is a lovely post, Jen. How do I get unstuck? I just let myself be stuck until I naturally move forward, again. I often spend more time doing other things; reading, exercising, drawing, dancing. I think anxiety about stuckness probably begets more stuckness? However, I don't think I've ever actually experienced writer's block, at least, not the kind that other people talk about.
I don’t think I get writer’s block either. I’m not sure. Mostly I get stuck at a dead end with something where I don’t like it, but I can’t figure out how to change it. Sometimes walking away from it for awhile does work!
I always love your writing, and hope to one day read your book.
Have you watched Jury Duty on Freevee yet? it starts a little slow and weird, but turns out lovely. Freevee also has ALLLL of the seasons of Magnum PI.
Jen, I'm fairly new to your writing. Joining in at this time ... big sigh, big hearts, big fan already. This post was perfection, beauty, vulnerability and truth. Keep your lifeline open to your readers. We are made of thunder and lightening, a verse from my new favorite song Resilient https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx17RvPMaQ8, and we are here for you. We have the ability to make a mighty roar. Let's do this.💜
loooove this title and the description of being surrounded by cats as everything wakes up...I'm sorry you are stuck! Imagining that I am writing for a specific friend/audience helps me - thinking of that person reading my work as if it's in their email. Sometimes writing a physical letter to someone who can really hear my writing struggles unblocks whatever is happening to me in my mind/heart/body. Also, painting is a nice unblocker for me. It always pulls from somewhere outside my analytical mind, and I usually get guidance like you got from the tulips, popping up there plainly on the page while I swirl away...good luck! Most of all, go easy. Sometimes life is taking the reins and you just have to wait it out <3
I lived near Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley from 1995-1997! It’s a beautiful area! My friend moved out there from Seattle last year and I’m hoping to visit in the fall.
Love this, Jen. I’m also a dweller in between possibility and doom, and tulips have taught me something about perseverance, too. I wrote about that recently. When I’m stuck as a writer (or swirling towards the doom end of the spectrum) I’m learning to go for a walk, especially with the slow sniffy dog. She helps me get out of my head and pay attention to my senses. We watched Shrinking recently, and are now in the second season of Somebody Somewhere. Recommend!
I have a slow, sniffy dog too! Good reminder to let myself be present in my own senses.
Bryan started watching Somebody Somewhere without me, but I’ve been lured into it this season. Shrinking was so good!
I get unstuck by consuming audio books and taking note of insights that resonate then retelling it in my voice. Thanks for this share 😀
Oh I like this one... retelling something in my own words. I’ll try that!
Wonderful musings, Jen. Ultimately, despite our ego, we are in control of so little in this world. Being able to notice random gifts, like the tulips and the rainbow, help us through our days. You post was my radom gift today!
When I write my Rocky Point newsletter, it helps me to write down titles of pieces that I have no idea how I'm going to complete. I take one of those titles and plunge right in, having little judgement while I write and then I edit and prune, throwing words away left and right. By the time I type in the release time for my post, I'm filled with surprise that the piece is done. Lots of "flow" states are involved and it's a truly mysterious process.
Been watching "The Chosen" about Christ, streaming on Peacock. Viewing him as he probably was, away from the baggage of formal religion, is revelatory. Started the "Last of Us" on HBO and it's very well done. "Ted Lasso" is coming near its end and I'll be sad to see it go.
Thank you for all your words!
Speaking of flow state, I feel like I was in one for like three months last year. It was glorious. Now I have to work a little harder! 😂
I’ve heard The Chosen is good from multiple sources. I’ll check it out.
"My personality is a weird combination of glass-half-empty and don’t-worry-we’ll-be-fine."
I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure this is imprinted in the DNA code of all Gen X'ers. It's part super power & part survival tactic.
...and as a fellow Gen X'er, I should probably be saying this with a sneer & some defensive irony, but when I'm stuck, I have a fidget spinner I play with. That and taking the dog for a walk usually help turn the word faucet back on.
Watching: My wife has once again roped me into a show- this time it's Succession. Also, Cold Case is on again on daytime TV, so there's that, too.
You’re right, this does click with the whole gen-x thing! Love that.
Bryan watches Succession without me, but I’ve seen a few episodes.
Holding adjacent space in the paradoxical combination of both, and of everything, true and contradictory and true still
This is a lovely post, Jen. How do I get unstuck? I just let myself be stuck until I naturally move forward, again. I often spend more time doing other things; reading, exercising, drawing, dancing. I think anxiety about stuckness probably begets more stuckness? However, I don't think I've ever actually experienced writer's block, at least, not the kind that other people talk about.
I don’t think I get writer’s block either. I’m not sure. Mostly I get stuck at a dead end with something where I don’t like it, but I can’t figure out how to change it. Sometimes walking away from it for awhile does work!
Yeah, I leave things all the time and come back to them later. I always have simultaneous projects going on. I think it's the best way to work.
I always love your writing, and hope to one day read your book.
Have you watched Jury Duty on Freevee yet? it starts a little slow and weird, but turns out lovely. Freevee also has ALLLL of the seasons of Magnum PI.
Have not watched Jury Duty, but randomly just heard about it on Monday when James Marsden was a guest on Fresh Air.
I hope I get to one day read my book, too! 😂
Jen, I'm fairly new to your writing. Joining in at this time ... big sigh, big hearts, big fan already. This post was perfection, beauty, vulnerability and truth. Keep your lifeline open to your readers. We are made of thunder and lightening, a verse from my new favorite song Resilient https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx17RvPMaQ8, and we are here for you. We have the ability to make a mighty roar. Let's do this.💜
WOW, thanks for introducing me to this song! Thank you also for your comment ☺️.
loooove this title and the description of being surrounded by cats as everything wakes up...I'm sorry you are stuck! Imagining that I am writing for a specific friend/audience helps me - thinking of that person reading my work as if it's in their email. Sometimes writing a physical letter to someone who can really hear my writing struggles unblocks whatever is happening to me in my mind/heart/body. Also, painting is a nice unblocker for me. It always pulls from somewhere outside my analytical mind, and I usually get guidance like you got from the tulips, popping up there plainly on the page while I swirl away...good luck! Most of all, go easy. Sometimes life is taking the reins and you just have to wait it out <3
Thank you for being you 🙏🏻
I resonate well with a memoir changing shape as you work on it. Lots of beautiful thoughts here Jen. Do you live in the Hudson Valley?
I lived near Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley from 1995-1997! It’s a beautiful area! My friend moved out there from Seattle last year and I’m hoping to visit in the fall.
I loved in the Hudson Valley area until 1997. It is beautiful. My family is still there. We live in the PNW now. I love it a lot.
Lived but I guess I loved there too ☺️