Lessons from daisies
And news of co-writing and more Small Acts of Attention cards have arrived
As April comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past couple of months. So many things I had hoped for and worked towards haven’t happened and I am still waiting to find out about many other things.
Uncertainty seems to be my only certainty right now and I find myself hovering in the in-betweenness of it all. Trying to find the outline and edges and yet still allow myself to float in this land of limbo without being weighed down by fear or unease.
Writing time has been so hard to come by recently. I can feel myself snipping and snapping, my fuse short because I haven’t managed to carve out enough time to write or even just take a moment to pause.
The static that has been ringing in my ears over the past few months reached a peak earlier this week and I caught myself fizzing and flapping. Wondering how to ensure that I have a steady stream of work that provides an income that supports my family but still be able to sow the seeds of all the dreams I have to build a space and a place for women to come together – a place of resting, nesting and writing.
On Monday afternoon, I found my brain starting to glitch through overthinking and worrying. I could have so easily opened my laptop and spent an hour trawling for jobs and writing opportunities. Instead, I walked into our garden and made myself linger there.
The sun has returned this week and our grass has gone into overdrive.
Everywhere I look is a carpet of daisies and I am in awe of their micro everyday magic.
The way they turn towards the sun during the day and close up at night… Heliotropism is what this daisy magic is called.
As I lingered, I took off my shoes and stood on the grass, closing my eyes and listening to the sounds around me.
It’s so easy in the day-to-day to get caught up in the white noise and distraction.
To allow fear, uncertainty and loneliness to shout loud in your ear.
It’s so easy to overlook the everyday daisy magic that is right in front of us….
I am a fine one for saying to others what I often need to say to myself.
In fact, I have been so very guilty recently of not doing what I tell others to do all the time, which is to take a moment, take a pause and just arrive.
Those five minutes of being barefoot in the grass was enough for me to drop my shoulders a little and allow the tangle of thought ribbons to unfurl a bit.
It allowed me to charge my batteries, soak up some of the sunshine and just be for a while. The uncertainty is still there but it’s quieter, the sense of being in limbo is still there but I’m allowing myself to float a bit in it all and be more heliotropic and barefoot over the coming weeks.
As always, there is a lesson to be found in that which is often right in front of us, it’s just sometimes I find I need a gentle reminder (or two)…
So here’s to turning to the light again and standing amongst the daisies… I can’t wait to co-write again and I’ll be back running more sessions from next week. There’s also news of some lovely workshops I’m running in our local area and if you missed out on the first set of Small Acts of Attention Cards the second batch has just arrived…
Co-writing begins again on Wednesday 7th May
Starting from next Wednesday morning, join me over the coming month for a series of gentle co-writing sessions.
What to expect
The sessions will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes with a moment to pause and ground ourselves at the beginning and time at the end to have a little catch up (should you wish).
You don’t have to talk, you don’t have to bring anything specific to work on (I’ll share a prompt in the chat), you don’t have to have your camera on, the whole idea is just showing up and spending some time with your words in the company of others.
Dates and times
These sessions will be free and will take place at the following times and dates on zoom using the links below:
MAY SESSIONS – FIRST SESSION BEGINS ON WED 7th MAY
All sessions will be on UK (BST) Time, you can check your timezone here.
MONDAYS | 13:00 – 14:15 UK (BST) Time
Mon 12th May | Mon 19th May
WEDNESDAYS | 9:15 – 10:30 UK (BST) Time
Wed 7th May | Wed 14th May | Wed 21st May
FRIDAYS | 9:15 – 10:30 UK (BST) time
Fri 9th May | Fri 16th May | Fri 23rd May
Please email me if you want a little nudge to remember on the day and I can send you a reminder.
Small Acts of Attention cards are back in stock
I am genuinely rather teary and so very grateful for the response to my new Small Acts of Attention card sets. Much to my amazement and absolute delight, the first batch sold out really quickly but the second batch have just arrived. If you pre-ordered a set, they will be sent out to you this week and if you missed out the first time round you can get a set now and I will send them out as soon as possible.
One small moment in your day.
A time to pause.
A little while to reflect.
One word.
One small act of attention.
Small Acts of Attention is a set of word cards that can be used to help kindle your imagination.
Whether you are looking for some daily inspiration, a moment of quiet reflection or would like a prompt to help you journal or write, each card is intended to be an invitation to help spark a moment for you to pause and reflect.
What’s included
40 individual word cards
A cotton pouch so you can easily carry your cards with you wherever you go
Suggestions on how to use the cards
A selenite crystal – known for its calming and cleansing properties
Sowing seeds and tending to dreams
11th June | 18:30 - 20:00 | Nansledan, Newquay
I’m delighted to be running a Creative Writing Workshop as part of Nansledan Arts Festival in June. From sowing word seeds to making wishes, from free-writing to flash fiction, join me for a creative writing workshop that invites you to gently tend to your dreams and start writing.
This workshop will explore how to find inspiration in the invisible and often unseen through a series of gentle and playful creative writing exercises.
I’ll be popping up at Botelet during the school holidays for a series of one-off workshops.
Botelet is a beautiful hidden gem, not far from Fowey, that has been farmed and tended to by the Tamblyn family for 150 years.
With an array of accommodation options and 300 acres of tumbling hills and enchanting woodlands, I am so very excited to run these special workshops in May and August.
Whether you have some experience writing, are interested in stories and storytelling or whether you just want to try something new, each session will be welcoming and encouraging but most of all fun!
Suitable for all ages and open to all, these family-friendly workshops will include exercises for everyone with a craft-based activity for smaller ones as well.
All materials, resources and a drink will be provided.
Thursday 29th May | Pause and Play with Poetry | 9:30 – 11:00
Wednesday 20th August | Open the door | 9:30 – 11:00
Thursday 28th August | Sun Stories | 9:30 – 11:00