I think your collage is very beautiful! It seems very YOU. And it’s wonderful to hear your voice. I sympathize deeply with finding it hard to write. Some months ago, I started on a new project that’s deeply personal. I know the territory it will cover and am intimidated by it. Working on this piece brings up familiar mean voices (what makes you think you can do this!) but I’ve also set myself a challenge that involves an approach new to me. It’s been hard. I’ve given myself time away from it, though it’s not let go and language runs through me more or less constantly. Today, I’ve decided to sit down at the computer for no more than two hours. I’ll do this every day for awhile, eventually something will rise from it. It’ll be interesting to see what that is. Keep being your beautiful self, sharing your beautiful work!
Dear Sigrid, I'm so grateful for this message. Thank you. I've become a believer in the stewing process (or maybe it's just that I've decided to become a believer because it seems that's what I do these days! But there does seem to be an upside to allowing a song or a collage or whatever to come into being in its own long time). As much as I'd like to move faster with my (song)writing, pieces are taking longer and longer to manifest. A lot of that's because there's so many other things I like to do, but also, I'm just plain slower.
I'm so interested in your observation that my collage in this blog is very ME! Sure do wish I knew what that was so I could cultivate it!! And I wonder if you know what's YOU about the things you create? Do you pursue that consciously, or is it just "simply" the outcome of what you do? I've been thinking about it all morning, wondering if I've spent too much of my musical life striving for relevance in some way rather than finding the ME that is what I do when I make something. I wonder if any of us know what makes something we've made OURS. Can we see it, or is it only others who see it? Anyway, it's a forever-question and a challenge. Good luck with your writing. I wish you courage and compassion for yourself as you write.
Today I opened up Substack to distract myself … and am SO helped by your honest, clear speaking of your own distraction. Thank you.
I also love your collage. It, alongside the lyrics of “What If,” mingled perfectly with a novel I just finished (another consoling distraction) called _I Cheerfully Refuse_. (Just seeing the title on my nightstand seemed to buoy me)
Peace and presence to you on the travel and gathering ahead.
Dear Nicole, Thank you. Very glad to hear that my distracted self helped your distracted self! These are demanding times. Seems pretty much everyone is out of sorts. My most reliable help comes from being outside, but I'm grateful for the conversations that come from sharing a bit of myself with friends. And it's always good to make something. In your case, I"ll bet some cooking's involved!
Just spoke to my dad. He's grateful we're all headed east this weekend. xoxo
I think we are all (all of us everyday people) are distracted, but your voice and the "Everyday People" lyrics are comforting: we are not alone! xo
we are not...but sometimes I need to be to make sense of things...which doesn't always work. Best thing to do? Go for a walk. Always works. xo
I think your collage is very beautiful! It seems very YOU. And it’s wonderful to hear your voice. I sympathize deeply with finding it hard to write. Some months ago, I started on a new project that’s deeply personal. I know the territory it will cover and am intimidated by it. Working on this piece brings up familiar mean voices (what makes you think you can do this!) but I’ve also set myself a challenge that involves an approach new to me. It’s been hard. I’ve given myself time away from it, though it’s not let go and language runs through me more or less constantly. Today, I’ve decided to sit down at the computer for no more than two hours. I’ll do this every day for awhile, eventually something will rise from it. It’ll be interesting to see what that is. Keep being your beautiful self, sharing your beautiful work!
Dear Sigrid, I'm so grateful for this message. Thank you. I've become a believer in the stewing process (or maybe it's just that I've decided to become a believer because it seems that's what I do these days! But there does seem to be an upside to allowing a song or a collage or whatever to come into being in its own long time). As much as I'd like to move faster with my (song)writing, pieces are taking longer and longer to manifest. A lot of that's because there's so many other things I like to do, but also, I'm just plain slower.
I'm so interested in your observation that my collage in this blog is very ME! Sure do wish I knew what that was so I could cultivate it!! And I wonder if you know what's YOU about the things you create? Do you pursue that consciously, or is it just "simply" the outcome of what you do? I've been thinking about it all morning, wondering if I've spent too much of my musical life striving for relevance in some way rather than finding the ME that is what I do when I make something. I wonder if any of us know what makes something we've made OURS. Can we see it, or is it only others who see it? Anyway, it's a forever-question and a challenge. Good luck with your writing. I wish you courage and compassion for yourself as you write.
Love, Bar
Today I opened up Substack to distract myself … and am SO helped by your honest, clear speaking of your own distraction. Thank you.
I also love your collage. It, alongside the lyrics of “What If,” mingled perfectly with a novel I just finished (another consoling distraction) called _I Cheerfully Refuse_. (Just seeing the title on my nightstand seemed to buoy me)
Peace and presence to you on the travel and gathering ahead.
Dear Nicole, Thank you. Very glad to hear that my distracted self helped your distracted self! These are demanding times. Seems pretty much everyone is out of sorts. My most reliable help comes from being outside, but I'm grateful for the conversations that come from sharing a bit of myself with friends. And it's always good to make something. In your case, I"ll bet some cooking's involved!
Just spoke to my dad. He's grateful we're all headed east this weekend. xoxo
Thanks for the song <3
You’re welcome! Thank you for your writing. Xo