What a great reminder that we do not have to be an expert (or even good!) at something in order to enjoy it. For all those who need it, this is your permission to keep doing something you may suck at simply because you enjoy it.
I love this, Julie! Thank you for the reminder. Even as a beginner, we are still doing the thing! I am learning Italian and I often respond to people by saying I don't really speak it - but that is not true... I DO speak Italian, I am just beginning. But the words do indeed come out of my mouth. :)
Love the kayak analogy of how a writer is someone who writes. I have fiercely identified myself as a writer even though I haven’t published anything in a traditional sense. I write as I breathe.
Re collaboration... Music is a huge inspiration to me. I often hear a song and think, this would make a great prompt for one of Julie’s writing hours! I’ll have to think of one that came up recently and send you the idea.
I love the permission not to be proficient. There are so many things I want to enjoy without the pressure of proficiency. Thanks, Julie! And...as a sex, love & relationship coach, it occurs to me that sexuality is an area where there are often deep expectations around proficiency... how potentially freeing to simply try something new and enjoy the process! ;)
Julie, I love making bread. I have been doing sourdough for years and it is my fav. My first few loaves were meh but now they are all amazing unless I leave out the salt which I seem to manage to do in a fairly regular basis.
Hi Mary, This is so great to hear. I'm hoping my sister-in-law will guide me...she is a pro too but glad to know I could ask you for tips as well. :) (do you have a starter in your frig?) My SIL calls heres Doughy Parton! LOL This cracked me up.
1. I would be interested in providing a writing prompt at some point.
2. Your kayak analogy was a good reminder that we don't need to be perfect to be DOING something. For a long time I would not call myself a writer because I wasn't published. And even when I began blogging I was reluctant to call myself a writer. But I AM, indeed, a writer. And these days I say so more often than I used to. It still feels funny in my mouth but I try it out often.
3. Good for your 52 minutes. And even better is that you are perfectly happy with 52 minutes. You should be. Too often we don't acknowledge achievements - they don't have to be on a grand scale.
Thanks Linda. Yes, you are a writer! Glad you are claiming it now. I am working on a process for collaborators and will be back in touch with interested folks.
On a separate note, whether you kayak for 15 or 52 minutes is not the point. I cannot believe that you lasted this long in a damp jacket! So you must have been focused on kayaking and enjoyed it that distractions didn’t stop you.
Thanks for the reply! I've had more response than expected, so am figuring out what process and schedule might work. Will share next steps once I have them.
Great post. Fitting as we are at the lake and one double kayak, I kind of regret buying, is in the shed and the other single kayak hasn’t been used all week. Lots of swimming including regular night swimming my 13 year old suggested we do every night. The first night here it was 90 degrees. Last night, it was 60. Also, paddle boarding- love that poem. I’m embracing and staying open to new ways to make art. After I posted about learning to play guitar, I downloaded an app to try and re-up my game and learn some new songs. I also wrote a flash science fiction piece which I’m including in Sunday’s pocket. I don’t know how good it is but it was fun to write and it made me feel great.
I would love to collaborate. I’m working on my fall memoir class and tossing around some ideas about learning to read and write but also this idea of unlearning. The things we have to unlearn and let go of as we grow so that might be interesting.
Oh, Wow, Julie. I was kayaking on the Dan River this past Friday with my brother and two nieces. It is usually a family experience. However, even with others to share it with, I feel it as a soul sport. It has taken me several years to come to enjoy it, as I used to just want to 'look' the part. It is a form of breathing, listening and healing as I paddle on the water with my thoughts and allow them to do whatever they need to do. It is a place where my Spirit can rest and/ or just be.
I am also delighted to share some prompt or poem for collaboration.
Wonderful image and description of you kayaking, JoAnne! And "soul sport" is a beautiful phrase. I will see you Saturday and be in touch about a prompt.
I’d love to collaborate! I’ve been using tarot cards as a jumping off point for writing fiction short stories. Let me know if you think it would be a good fit.
Hi Lynn, thanks for responding! I don't know much about tarot, but I love the way you are using the cards for writing inspiration. I will add you to my list to be back in touch with as I figure out possibilities.
What a great reminder that we do not have to be an expert (or even good!) at something in order to enjoy it. For all those who need it, this is your permission to keep doing something you may suck at simply because you enjoy it.
Yes! Thanks for naming that so clearly.
Well put!
I love this, Julie! Thank you for the reminder. Even as a beginner, we are still doing the thing! I am learning Italian and I often respond to people by saying I don't really speak it - but that is not true... I DO speak Italian, I am just beginning. But the words do indeed come out of my mouth. :)
Language is one if those things that you learn for life and all the time!
Great example!
Love the kayak analogy of how a writer is someone who writes. I have fiercely identified myself as a writer even though I haven’t published anything in a traditional sense. I write as I breathe.
Re collaboration... Music is a huge inspiration to me. I often hear a song and think, this would make a great prompt for one of Julie’s writing hours! I’ll have to think of one that came up recently and send you the idea.
I'd love to share one of your music ideas someday, Jen! Hope to see you on Saturday's Zoom.
I love the permission not to be proficient. There are so many things I want to enjoy without the pressure of proficiency. Thanks, Julie! And...as a sex, love & relationship coach, it occurs to me that sexuality is an area where there are often deep expectations around proficiency... how potentially freeing to simply try something new and enjoy the process! ;)
Oh, that's so true. Thanks for that.
I would love to make homemade sourdough bread. My sister-in-law mentioned she has a "starter" and makes her own every week! It got me thinking...
I also want to kayak more this summer too. :) I love todays story. Thank you for sharing.
Homemade sourdough sounds lovely! Hope you get to try it.
Me too! :)
Julie, I love making bread. I have been doing sourdough for years and it is my fav. My first few loaves were meh but now they are all amazing unless I leave out the salt which I seem to manage to do in a fairly regular basis.
Hi Mary, This is so great to hear. I'm hoping my sister-in-law will guide me...she is a pro too but glad to know I could ask you for tips as well. :) (do you have a starter in your frig?) My SIL calls heres Doughy Parton! LOL This cracked me up.
Yes! Our former foster son named ours Joey. I have an easy recipe if you’d like that.
Oh so fun! :) If you don't mind sharing it that would be lovely! Thank you so much Mary and nice to meet you.
I love when readers connect! Let us know how the bread turns out, and what you name your starter.....
https://www.feastingathome.com/sourdough-bread/
This is the recipe I use. I like to add chopped rosemary or fennel. I would love to hear how it goes.
I’d love to offer a guest prompt!
Thanks Linda! I am working on a process and plan, and will be in touch with collaborators.
3 things:
1. I would be interested in providing a writing prompt at some point.
2. Your kayak analogy was a good reminder that we don't need to be perfect to be DOING something. For a long time I would not call myself a writer because I wasn't published. And even when I began blogging I was reluctant to call myself a writer. But I AM, indeed, a writer. And these days I say so more often than I used to. It still feels funny in my mouth but I try it out often.
3. Good for your 52 minutes. And even better is that you are perfectly happy with 52 minutes. You should be. Too often we don't acknowledge achievements - they don't have to be on a grand scale.
Thanks Linda. Yes, you are a writer! Glad you are claiming it now. I am working on a process for collaborators and will be back in touch with interested folks.
On a separate note, whether you kayak for 15 or 52 minutes is not the point. I cannot believe that you lasted this long in a damp jacket! So you must have been focused on kayaking and enjoyed it that distractions didn’t stop you.
Hi again! I’d love to provide a guest prompt! Thank you!
Thanks for the reply! I've had more response than expected, so am figuring out what process and schedule might work. Will share next steps once I have them.
Looking forward to hear from you when you are ready! Great with such big turnout!
Great post. Fitting as we are at the lake and one double kayak, I kind of regret buying, is in the shed and the other single kayak hasn’t been used all week. Lots of swimming including regular night swimming my 13 year old suggested we do every night. The first night here it was 90 degrees. Last night, it was 60. Also, paddle boarding- love that poem. I’m embracing and staying open to new ways to make art. After I posted about learning to play guitar, I downloaded an app to try and re-up my game and learn some new songs. I also wrote a flash science fiction piece which I’m including in Sunday’s pocket. I don’t know how good it is but it was fun to write and it made me feel great.
I would love to collaborate. I’m working on my fall memoir class and tossing around some ideas about learning to read and write but also this idea of unlearning. The things we have to unlearn and let go of as we grow so that might be interesting.
Yes, let's be in touch. Mary. I'm likely going to spread the collaborating out over a fair amount of time. Enjoy your night swimming.
Sounds good. No rush on my end.
Oh, Wow, Julie. I was kayaking on the Dan River this past Friday with my brother and two nieces. It is usually a family experience. However, even with others to share it with, I feel it as a soul sport. It has taken me several years to come to enjoy it, as I used to just want to 'look' the part. It is a form of breathing, listening and healing as I paddle on the water with my thoughts and allow them to do whatever they need to do. It is a place where my Spirit can rest and/ or just be.
I am also delighted to share some prompt or poem for collaboration.
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
JoAnne
Wonderful image and description of you kayaking, JoAnne! And "soul sport" is a beautiful phrase. I will see you Saturday and be in touch about a prompt.
I’d love to collaborate! I’ve been using tarot cards as a jumping off point for writing fiction short stories. Let me know if you think it would be a good fit.
Hi Lynn, thanks for responding! I don't know much about tarot, but I love the way you are using the cards for writing inspiration. I will add you to my list to be back in touch with as I figure out possibilities.
Sounds good!:)