17 Comments

This is such a timely reminder, lovely piece Suzy!

I've been trying to convey some of this to a friend recently so I'll be forwarding to her ASAP ... "brick by brick" 💚

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Thanks Suzy.

You never cease to amaze me. 🌅

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Beautiful share.

A few things immediately come to mind ...

1) I remember being 23, searching for an agent for my first finished manuscript (which ultimately I’ve never published though someday I’ll rework it) and telling my bestie over drinks that I NEEDED to be published by 25. I wasn’t. Recently I visited my bestie and saw a stack of my published books on his shelf.

2) synchronicity - a memory just popped up on my phone today of reading Molly Peacock’s book The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life's Work At 72 https://www.mollypeacock.org/life-stories/thepapergarden

3) the Julia Cameron quote: “But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano / act / paint / write a decent play?"

Yes . . . the same age you will be if you don't.”

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That Julia Cameron quote is one of my favourites!

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So kind. Thoroughly enjoying the co-working space.

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Well my writing today for Cure for Sleep is about missed writing opportunities so this couldn't be more pertinent. Last week I was filling in gaps from her series 1 on how childhood stories shape us. Then Tanya reposted that very prompt for the start of series 4! Serendipitous I think.

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Synconicity, as Julia Cameron writes in The Artist's Way. You are on the right path.

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What a lovely read Suzy! 👏

We’re lucky in that writing is a very achievable thing to be doing in later life, all we need is ourselves and a pen. 🖊️

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Yes, a pen and a piece of paper and then we're off!

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Thanks heavens, so much more achievable than an Ironman. 😂

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My last boyfriend looked like Ironman. So whether it's a man or an adventurous mission, I'll give the ironmen a miss! 😂

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I’m convinced they’re all just trying to get out of the childcare, with all that training. 😂

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Thanks Suzy, it was good to read this today, not so much for me (although it is helpful for me too) but for how I could inspire and support my daughter, as she struggles to remain hopeful about finding a job that builds on her recent training.

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Yes, getting and applying for new jobs can be tough. I believe that's all about getting really comfortable with rejection. I remember at journalist college, someone very talented but quite mean saying to me...'why are you getting all the commissions, I'm much more talented than you'. She was. BUT I pitched 20 articles to every 1 and if she got rejected, it took her weeks to bounce back. I was more 'next'! I'm not saying it's easy being rejected but the more we can reframe it (just getting nearer to where you want to go)the easier it becomes.

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Yes, I agree. I think it’s about reframing her expectations and doing the things in her control. Xx

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Oh, and I loved your line: ‘I don’t even need to get the wheelbarrow out.’

Made me laugh out loud as my defaults is ‘of course we need the wheelbarrow!’. But you are right, we don’t.

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One brick at a time! I'm someone who can overcomplicate things. So if I just keep focusing on moving one brick -it's really simple!

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