I read this piece very slowly and just reading it was comforting. Too much discomfort in my life the last 4 years. But I can say out loud that I am beginning to experience "discomfort is normal and yes! rewarding. Thank you for sharing this!
Katy--I'm sure you've heard the old saw about gaining wisdom from your elders......I just want to say that thanks to you I, who am more than twice your age, feel blessed to be gaining wisdom from my "youngers".
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve found that announcing my goals to others pushes me to really pursue them, too. It’s part of what’s driven me to keep working on my Substack.
Gosh. I've been sitting on this as I've waited for my thoughts to clarify before commenting. I've been so struck by the word, the concept of, grasping.
I grasp *a lot* in my life. I've been working on letting go of the (perceived) need to figure it all out, have a plan, know exactly what's happening and precisely what's going to happen. Uncertainty is uncomfortable. Just today in therapy, in fact, I talked about "clawing my way" through life ... another kind of grasping.
Your words in this essay are a gift. Thank you. The gift I'll extend to you amid the discomfort of commiting to this project: who knows what's going to happen in this, your 39th year. Maybe you complete this year-long project exactly as planned, maybe, for any number of reasons, you don't. There's meaning to be found in however it all plays out. This community can be excited about, and inspired by, this writing project of yours, and we can all hold it lightly together -- the discomfort of not grasping! -- allowing the unknown. 🧚
I’m glad this connected with you! I was just thinking today about your comment and how often I grasp — and how tense that often makes me. Thank YOU for the food for thought!
Katie, I too have those postcards framed in my office! I lost the one about writing quickly sometime during the Covid/WFH transition, but the other two are such a big inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me what an amazing creative collaborator, and friend, Jamie was.
I also peep The Artist's Way on your desk, and I'm going through that right now too!
I’m a little late to this, but I feel like I read it at the perfect time. Your writing is always so impactful and always seems to find me right when I need it the most. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series so much!
I read this piece very slowly and just reading it was comforting. Too much discomfort in my life the last 4 years. But I can say out loud that I am beginning to experience "discomfort is normal and yes! rewarding. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you, Janet!
Katy--I'm sure you've heard the old saw about gaining wisdom from your elders......I just want to say that thanks to you I, who am more than twice your age, feel blessed to be gaining wisdom from my "youngers".
Aw, I love that, Caroline!
What a beautiful piece! Thank you.
What an honour to read your husband’s advice. 💕
I love that his words live on.
I also appreciate you writing this and sitting with whatever feels come up. 💐
Thanks, Mika!
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve found that announcing my goals to others pushes me to really pursue them, too. It’s part of what’s driven me to keep working on my Substack.
This is such a perfect life motto. I know discomfort all too well, but I tend to forget the "and rewarding!" part. But it's so true.
Looking forward to the rest of this series!
Thank you, Chris!
Gosh. I've been sitting on this as I've waited for my thoughts to clarify before commenting. I've been so struck by the word, the concept of, grasping.
I grasp *a lot* in my life. I've been working on letting go of the (perceived) need to figure it all out, have a plan, know exactly what's happening and precisely what's going to happen. Uncertainty is uncomfortable. Just today in therapy, in fact, I talked about "clawing my way" through life ... another kind of grasping.
Your words in this essay are a gift. Thank you. The gift I'll extend to you amid the discomfort of commiting to this project: who knows what's going to happen in this, your 39th year. Maybe you complete this year-long project exactly as planned, maybe, for any number of reasons, you don't. There's meaning to be found in however it all plays out. This community can be excited about, and inspired by, this writing project of yours, and we can all hold it lightly together -- the discomfort of not grasping! -- allowing the unknown. 🧚
I’m glad this connected with you! I was just thinking today about your comment and how often I grasp — and how tense that often makes me. Thank YOU for the food for thought!
Katie, I too have those postcards framed in my office! I lost the one about writing quickly sometime during the Covid/WFH transition, but the other two are such a big inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me what an amazing creative collaborator, and friend, Jamie was.
I also peep The Artist's Way on your desk, and I'm going through that right now too!
I have an extra copy of the "write quickly" postcard if you want it! Just send me an email and we can make it happen :)
Great Piece, thanks for sharing. I'm sorry about Jamie
I’m a little late to this, but I feel like I read it at the perfect time. Your writing is always so impactful and always seems to find me right when I need it the most. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series so much!