This Is What You Need

AKA Write to Manage

Hello Dear One, 

How are you? I’m finding things a lot this week. There’s so much going on it feels like things are close to spinning out of control. I say close because I won’t actually let that happen. I will carve out spaces like this one, to calm down, regroup and prioritise. I will choose to breathe deeply and let go of what is not urgent. I will remember that how I show up in the world is more important than the work I produce, although they are interconnected. How I feel fuels them, so I’ll put on a song I love and smile. 

If you’re feeling a bit like me, my message is time. Take time to connect with yourself, see how you are, adjust your system of self-support. Perhaps self-support is too grand a term, perhaps you’ll think you don’t have time for anything other than the essentials. Taking care of yourself IS essential. Last week I was supposed to do something I knew wouldn’t be good for me. Feeling conflicted I turned to my journal. ‘There is a line,’ I wrote, ‘and this is where you draw it.’ I didn’t do the thing I was supposed to. I chose myself first. Even if it feels like it goes against all your people-pleasing instincts, it is what you need. 

This week I invite you to check-in. Write about how you are. Give yourself space. Face the things that might feel inconvenient and cut yourself some slack. Remember that things are still not normal. We are still in a pandemic. Where I live that means almost all the things I do to decompress are off-limits: I can’t go round to my friend’s house and vent; can’t dance it off to live music; can’t travel on weekends to places that feel like escapes. But I can write. I can choose to give myself compassion. I can say ‘This is really hard’ and ‘If you don’t feel up to that it’s ok.’ It’s how I manage. You deserve this too. Give it a go.

My three things are: make sure I have good food in the fridge; make time for yoga and reach out to my friends. Share yours below.

A while ago I was listening to an Authors Unedited podcast where the wonderful Scottish writer Ever Dundas talked about the false idea she should overcome her chronic illness to be a successful author. She said ‘It’s not about overcoming, it’s about managing. But I don’t really think people want to hear about managing, do they?’ It struck me as such a poignant comment, for all of us. I even changed the title of this email because I wanted you to open it. No one wants to hear about managing because we’re all doing it. It’s mundane, difficult and our everyday. It’s not a magic bullet that people can package up and sell you. So, it doesn’t seem remarkable. But I choose to believe that it is. That part of you that just gets on and deals with things deserves some credit. If you’re managing then you’re brilliant. FACT.

Hope this helps. Thanks for being here, and being you. 

All love, 

Jo

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WORKSHOP NEWS

I’ve just released the dates for my next two workshops: Tuesday 24th November & Thursday 10th December, both at 7.30 pm via Zoom. These are an hour of sweet self-care, ideal if you’re struggling to find time and space for yourself, or want to relax and reboot. All exercises are designed, with much love and thought, to leave you grounded, hopeful and feeling lighter. All you need is a notebook, pen and cosy, quiet space. With winter approaching, and a very different Christmas on the horizon, being kind to ourselves has never been more important.

£10/£7 concessions, two gifted spots available for those impacted by the pandemic. Hit reply to book or for further details.

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