In case you missed it

October updates.

I'm going to try to keep this message shorter than the long-ass one I sent you last month. (You can catch up here if you missed it.)

Mainly because I've got some cool shit I'm working on and I want to get back to it!!! 

This time last year, I was beginning to have doubts that I could ever consider myself a writer. I had signed up to work with someone I admired and I almost immediately regretted it. There was a significant division between what I signed up for and what I actually got. Things only went from bad to worse when I engaged with and was gaslit by the instructor. It was horrible.

With the hope of avoiding any further pain, I buried my writing dreams deep and took pleasure out of sharing stories on Instagram. It was easy and fun and that's all I could handle at the time. 

Of course, I was still making art and encouraging other people to explore their creativity too. 

But I hated feeling like I couldn't or shouldn't write. It nagged at me for months. 

My course, Exploring Creative Connection Through Visual Journaling was an amazing project to work on while I was wrestling with this feeling. Launching it was an extreme high for me. It still is. 

But following that high was a big fucking low. Like almost this kind of low. So I used the tools that I have and the people I love to help me come back from it.

And then a little writing workshop came to my attention. Repeatedly.

I did my best to ignore it. But the person leading it was someone I'd been wanting to work with for a while. But that had also been the case with the instructor I just told you about.)

I signed up anyway.

And it has been one of the best decisions I've made this year!

I tried to waste time by wondering how my life would be so much better if last year's experience hadn't happened. But by focusing so much on the bad shit I was missing that cool shit that I mentioned above that I want to get back to. 

Taking a chance on another workshop wouldn't have happened if I ignored my intuition and let my past experience keep me from trying.  

Now, I'm having so much fun meeting new people, learning so many new things, and being a part of a few encouraging writing communities. And most importantly, I'm having a glorious time writing my heart out!

I even got my first rejection for a piece I submitted for publication which only made me feel more like an "official" writer.

 What am I writing?

A lot. And a little bit of this and that. I'm trying out a bunch of new genres (for me) as well as working on refining some pieces I wrote years ago. 

Honestly, I don't know what will come from all of the writing that I'm doing. But I do know that I have a very big urge to keep going. So I'm trusting my gut and just going for it. 

For those of you who have worked with me before, you know I'm a big fan of the process. 

Focusing on the final product of course is worthwhile, but it's not my biggest motivation. What I'll learn and discover along the way is what excites me the most.

So I'm going to appreciate all parts of this writing journey I'm on at the moment. 

Why?

BECAUSE I WANT TO HAVE FUN!

Even while all this is happening. (Probably especially because all of that is happening.)

And because joy is my birthright! (I heard "joy is my birthright!" at a workshop that I attended last year. The facilitator guided our virtual group to chant it while a drummer added a beat. And while I wish I could remember their names, I can't forget how this song with only three words, the intention behind them and the power they carry, shook me to my core.)

Have you guessed that I didn't succeed at keeping this message shorter? (Writers are gonna write!) But I've got one last important thing to tell you about. Especially if you too want to have fun!

This Sunday, October 24th is when the next live bonus session for Exploring Creative Connections Through Visual Journaling is happening. Click here to sign up for the course so I can send you all the details!

Here's what some recent students had to say about their experience in the course: 
 

"...for the first time in my life just went for it, opening a new journal book (I have several blank books just waiting for me) and had no hesitation approaching the first pristine page. Hallelujah!" - N. J.

"I love the difference that the term visual journaling brought to me - art journaling was something for people more talented than me - this helped me realize that expression is everything and this practice is available to everyone regardless of skill level... Thank you for helping my practice to feel refreshed and validated." - S. B. 

Come and join us on Sunday! 

Alright, be well and I hope you've got some cool shit of your own to deal with today too. 

Olwen

PS. Exactly one year ago today, I sent out a list of 32 books and shows to keep you company last winter. It's a good list so I thought you might want to check it out again.

PPS. Squid Game (Netflix), is not for the squeamish but it definitely grabbed my attention. Until I guessed what would happen... but I still had to devourer the rest of the episodes.

I really didn't want to like Only Murders In The Building (HULU). But I ended up loving it! Season two can't come soon enough! I found myself laughing out loud just thinking back to the stuff that made me laugh while I watched it. I'm especially grateful for one hilarious scene in the final episode. And its theme song is gorgeous. I can't stop humming it. 

PPPS. Of course, I didn't forget about your dose of cute cats! This and this will help. Make sure your sound is on.