This is lovely to read. We never know how long we’ve got, either ourselves or with our loved ones. I hope I can get to a similar place. It reminds me a little of a beautifully illustrated book called The Crossroads of Should and Must. I think you’d like it!
Marie! Good to read about your letting go process. I feel that once we let go of working for an employer, it's easy to start to create our own cage. We try to enforce a specific ideal reality of how things "have to go". In real life, it always goes completely different.
I've also been learning to go with the flow of life more and to have trust that in the end, everything will work out as it should. It's such a relief to let go of this tight grip.
So good, keeping it simple, focusing on the things that actually matter—that’s the key for me! Health, people, sunlight, writing :) what more does one need!
Love reading about you being happy and content in life where you are now, not where you want to be or could be or ought to be. Much needed inspiration to be content with what I have!
Can relate to a lot of this 'letting go' theme. I just wrote a short story - The Frequency of Us (posted today in fact, which is partly why your post caught my eye) - in which one man counsels the new woman he's with along those lines. You can't force a good thing...
Really touched by your writing, Marie. It hit so close to my personal struggle to really feel alive rather than just going through the motions. Your piece gave me much to ponder!
This post truly resonates with me. Thank you for sharing this about letting go. Over the last 5 years or so, I have "let go" of so many things, and I am happier for it. Happiness is pretty simple over here in my little world. Cheers~
Inspiring post - without being overly sentimental. As writers, we have lives outside of our work, but we can't let those things stop us from forging ahead, although we should use those experiences to inform our writing. Very nice.
Letting go is so hard for me too. I'm a massive negative ruminator. What helps me, and may help you, are these two frameworks that you may be familiar with.
The first is the Locus of Control. In this situation, what things are within your internal locus of control and which are external?
The second, along the same vein, the Sphere of Influence. Consider what things you have control over and can influence the outcome of (internal LoC) and those things you have no ability to control or influence (external LoC).
Once I've identified the crap I cannot control the letting go part of actually letting go is easier, probably because I've recognised whatever happens I've done what I can. And, you have too. 🫶
I really felt this and thank you for sharing. It sounds like the absolute perfect day and it's amazing that you took it all in and truly appreciated it!
Love this and could not agree more. Would you ever consider a guest post on my substack, "Experimenting Away in LA"? I write about having more of a focus on the simple things in this environment which is very consumerism and materialism focused.
This is lovely to read. We never know how long we’ve got, either ourselves or with our loved ones. I hope I can get to a similar place. It reminds me a little of a beautifully illustrated book called The Crossroads of Should and Must. I think you’d like it!
Marie! Good to read about your letting go process. I feel that once we let go of working for an employer, it's easy to start to create our own cage. We try to enforce a specific ideal reality of how things "have to go". In real life, it always goes completely different.
I've also been learning to go with the flow of life more and to have trust that in the end, everything will work out as it should. It's such a relief to let go of this tight grip.
I love your vibe on "learning to go with the flow of life"...
Perhaps it was just a lesson and a reminder to live in the moment. No stress or pressure. Just enjoying the company of a nice guy. :-)
Loved this:
I feel alive.
I feel alive again.
I feel again.
It is important to step back, breathe and reevaluate. Thanks for sharing with us!
Good to hear you are finding your feet and letting go and feeling alive again 🌺
It really is the simple things isn’t it? It’s us that make it complicated. Thanks for the reminder. xx
So good, keeping it simple, focusing on the things that actually matter—that’s the key for me! Health, people, sunlight, writing :) what more does one need!
Love reading about you being happy and content in life where you are now, not where you want to be or could be or ought to be. Much needed inspiration to be content with what I have!
Can relate to a lot of this 'letting go' theme. I just wrote a short story - The Frequency of Us (posted today in fact, which is partly why your post caught my eye) - in which one man counsels the new woman he's with along those lines. You can't force a good thing...
Really touched by your writing, Marie. It hit so close to my personal struggle to really feel alive rather than just going through the motions. Your piece gave me much to ponder!
This post truly resonates with me. Thank you for sharing this about letting go. Over the last 5 years or so, I have "let go" of so many things, and I am happier for it. Happiness is pretty simple over here in my little world. Cheers~
Inspiring post - without being overly sentimental. As writers, we have lives outside of our work, but we can't let those things stop us from forging ahead, although we should use those experiences to inform our writing. Very nice.
Letting go is so hard for me too. I'm a massive negative ruminator. What helps me, and may help you, are these two frameworks that you may be familiar with.
The first is the Locus of Control. In this situation, what things are within your internal locus of control and which are external?
The second, along the same vein, the Sphere of Influence. Consider what things you have control over and can influence the outcome of (internal LoC) and those things you have no ability to control or influence (external LoC).
Once I've identified the crap I cannot control the letting go part of actually letting go is easier, probably because I've recognised whatever happens I've done what I can. And, you have too. 🫶
Such a beautiful post!! 😍
I really felt this and thank you for sharing. It sounds like the absolute perfect day and it's amazing that you took it all in and truly appreciated it!
Love this and could not agree more. Would you ever consider a guest post on my substack, "Experimenting Away in LA"? I write about having more of a focus on the simple things in this environment which is very consumerism and materialism focused.