Friday Reflection #22: We're not making it a problem
The only time stories can be our worst enemy
Welcome to Friday Reflections! A weekly newsletter sharing 1 thought or thing I loved and/or learned from the week as I navigate rebuilding my life as a late bloomer.
Hey there!
I had a lot of time to myself this week while dad was away on a work trip to really think about what’s coming up for me the rest of the year.
We’re passively getting ready for one last family trip for the year later this month and after that? I suspect things to slow way down.
I think I plan to write about it, but this will be the first year in my life where the colder months will look DRASTICALLY different than ever before for me. Not stuck in despair, not running around everywhere with my mom to prepare for the holidays…
So for now, I’ve reorganized my Google Docs for my Substack and looked at whatever bits and pieces I’ve written so far. And right now? I maybe could write one essay per month.
… Maybe.
At first, I made that a problem, and then I didn’t (thanks, 12-week Money Made program I’m in!)! I just decided that it doesn’t have to be a problem to write an essay a month for now. Especially when I’m excited about (practicing and) sharing drawings, and playing with a few more ideas.
What’s most important to me at this moment is figuring out a sustainable schedule for me and my work. What can I confidently create weekly? Monthly? How many different things? Where else can I (if I even should) show up online to share about my Substack, work, and behind-the-scenes fun?
Those are all things I plan to explore for the rest of the year, yay!
Go ahead and use them as reflection questions for yourself as we head toward the last quarter of the year if you’d like. :)
Here’s to creating schedules we can manage and enjoy!
This One Thing…
While scrolling Instagram earlier this week, a reel of a grown man teaching himself how to read stopped me in my tracks. He was reading through Charlotte's Web, sometimes yelling in frustration how he, “should’ve been taught this.”
It made my heart swell with emotions, and my mind whirl with a stream of thoughts. Like how I wanted to be a safe place and a supportive cheerleader for him—for anyone—who’s so very frustrated by the “shoulds” and “timelines” in life.
But then I thought… I still have so much work to do of my own.
Maybe my own journey can be one that documents, inspires, and supports people through my own play and creativity
The bravery of the man in the video being so vulnerable with his learning journey at his age is immeasurable and admirable. It makes me want to show up better. To find a way to be of service and/or inspiration to those who are ready to push ahead toward growth, but I’ll see how that shows up the longer I let it marinate in my head.
Jumping head-first into long-term plans based on my initial surge of inspiration usually doesn’t bode well, haha.
Going through the comments of that video, one stood out to me because it was such an integral part of my life, too:
“Whenever anyone asks what’s the greatest gift my mother ever gave me, I tell them the joy of reading. I remember going to the library with my mom, the smell of the books, and having my own library card.”
I may write about it in a short post someday; I’ve honestly started a rough sketch of this concept a while back. I think it’s one of the biggest takeaways from my mom, too.
And I don’t think many—if anyone—from BookTok or BookTube ever talk about where their love of reading comes from.
I don’t care if they don’t have some type of touching story… I’d just love to hear what got them into reading.
This year’s been the most I’ve actually read (not just listened to audiobooks) in years… and being on the hunt for not-too-spicy romance novels got me back into the reading groove! It’s been nice to be so involved with reading again, and now I have an even deeper appreciation for being able to read period.
Let me know…
What’s something in your life right now that feels like a problem, but actually is something you have the capability to find a solution to?
It truly feels empowering when you can find awareness here!
It’s always so nice catching up! I missed this. :)
See ya soon.
Warmly,
Cierra M
I learned to read from my parents, but also from Sesame Street and The Electric Company. (Loved Morgan Freeman as Easy Reader). I read my first book, "Ferdinand the Bull," to my mother at 3 1/2 years and was off and running after that.
Though I can't read a whole book in a day anymore (thank you Long Covid), I still enjoy reading, and move in and out of book reading phases. I do enjoy reading my plethora of Substack missives.
I know that's not the question you asked, but I'll sit with it and see if an answer arises. 🙂