I’m gonna be honest, this is not the way I planned to open this monthly round up (erm, it’s 4th July already? I mean that sums things up). I had something far more poetic about summer time in mind. Plus there are about ten posts sitting in my drafts folder on everything from peri-menopause to a comedy doctors appointment story, I probably could have edited one of those.
But no, the topic that I can’t seem to separate myself from is the summer, flaming, holidays. I don’t know why I added the flaming, I really like the summer holidays. I REALLY like summer (especially when it actually turns up in the UK). Actually, I do know why I added the flaming, because as much as I love the school holidays, they are pretty long. And there’s the small issue of paid work to wangle. And perhaps it’s more intense because our second eldest is about to head to high school (sob), but this final half term of school is starting to give off Christmas vibes. What with end of year concerts, sports days, own clothes days and the like.
So yes, I am trying to embrace the sound of lawnmowers and the length of the sun’s shadows and remember how sweet strawberries taste right now and make time to go and shove my entire face into the jasmine flowering along our fence. And I’m trying to not procrastinate on doing a bit of planning, because I know that for me personally having some plans in place will allow me to settle more easily into the season. But I’m also acknowledging the feelings bubbling below the surface and trying to understand them a little better. Balance the pressure to ‘make the most of the summer’ with approaching every day as just that - another day we get to enjoy on this here planet.
Oh and today I’m also doing the school run and loudly announcing at various intervals, “don’t forget to vote,” “kids, we’ll be going to VOTE today after school,” “ooh it’s voting day today!” I don’t know why I don’t just get a massive sign stuck on my head that says, “shit, I know none of the options might seem that great in the UK right now but PLEASE VOTE because democracy matters - vote for your kids, vote because you can vote, vote for those who can’t vote, vote because the right wing WILL vote.”
I’m excited. I’m tenderly hopeful.
Here’s what else…
Journaling:
A few prompts that I’ve been playing with as we meander into summer:
What summer time traditions might you like to start? (We do not eat breakfast outside nearly enough. What’s that, it’s raining? Well there is that.)
Would you like a summer bucket list? If so, what might go on it? (My advice - summer is just one of four equally gorgeous seasons. There’s no need to go big or add urgency. No one likes forced fun.)
What would you like to be your ‘word’ for the summer?
Are there any summer lists you’d like to make e.g books to read, songs for a playlist, recipes to try…
If there was one summer ‘project’ you’d like to do for yourself, what would that be?
This summer I want to remember… (free write for a few pages)
Finish the sentence, “Summer would not be complete without…”
Paid subscribers - look out for a Summer Holiday Planning Guide coming your way at the end of the week.
Parenting:
I really liked this piece by
about why more women aren’t having children. Spoiler, it’s nothing to do with Taylor Swift.In lighter news, my son taught me some new vocab in the car last week. I’m pleased to announce that we’ve now entered the stage where he tells me a slang word means something entirely different, just for lols. I’d tell you what some of the words were (to save you the same embarrassment) but I can’t even spell them. Nor remember.
Later, in a bid to demonstrate that I’m not as uncool as they both suspect, I asked the two eldest, “can I just check, do you still say rock as a good thing? Like, ‘you rock girl?’”
Silence.
Not only did it sound so unbelievably wrong coming out my mouth (I’m not sure I have EVER said it before??) but I may have accompanied it with a solid, tennis player-esque punch in the air (I’m gonna be honest with you here…I did). I quickly withdrew my arm but it was too late.
I’d have been ok with embarrassment but their faces showed only disgust mixed with sorrow. Steer clear I say. It’s an absolute minefield.
Poetry:
I’ve been geeking out on the poetry of Amy Kay this month. I also went to our (now annual) Journaling Wild retreat last weekend, where we drank copious amounts of tea, swam, ate until our bellies nagged our sides, read and shared what we like to read and of course, wrote. Last year I wrote a poem to try and capture the magic that happens when women come together. I’ve not quite found the right words yet, so here is Amy Kay describing that feeling when you can bring your entire self to a party:
You’re panicking at the wrong disco, by Amy Kay, via Instagram.
I’ve been musing on where we find the places, and the people, who invite us to be who we really are. Our unfiltered, messy, awkward, beautiful selves. Because these times can be few and far between, can’t they? If you have someone/somewhere, can I suggest you hold on to it/them really tight.
And if you don’t, you are always welcome to come and write with me :) Always.
Also, can we actually have one of these discos please?!? I can’t do the worm but I’d be keen and recently I’ve decided that this is most definitely all you need to be.
Oh and I had a poem accepted by Ink Sweat and Tears this month (hurray), it’s called Longing and is about missing someone. You can read it on their website here.
Other updates:
I wrote the sort of honest piece that has me hovering over the publish button, “Sometimes I don’t reply to messages,” which paid subscribers can read here.
Next date for writing together:
We’ll have our next Sunday Morning Scribble Session on Sunday 28th July, 7.45am.
As we head into the summer holidays this is your chance to take the biggest and deepest breath, relax those shoulders and write your heart out. For ‘non-journalers’ (those we are yet to convert to the light side, ha), these sessions are low-key, gentle, perfect entrance-ways into a journaling habit. Paid subscribers - I’ll send out joining instructions over the next few weeks.
Ok, that’s everything I think,
Loads of love (and don’t forget to vote if you’re based in the UK!)
Nelly x
Yes I must get mine done too!
What a gorgeous poem, Nelly.