Carolee Bennett –> poet. artist. crankypants.
I always feel better when I’m making something, and today’s soundtrack was an essential reminder. It’s time to refocus and it’s time to shift and these seasons I loathe (fall and winter) may be the perfect opportunity. For once, I’m thinking they could be good for me. Perhaps I can use them to get my feet back under me?
If you want to be a writer, absolutely surround yourself with people who admire and support what you’re doing. But understand it starts with you. You have to care. You have to take care. You have to be there for the work and for yourself.
In which I learn what I already knew: Being a writer and artist means practicing. It also helps to play — and celebrate small wins along the way!
The new approach is like sensible shoes: not quite as sexy but less pain, more mileage. At least that’s the idea. And so far, so good! I’ve been keeping up with art and writing by doing at least one small thing each day, and it’s helping me reconstruct the idea of myself as a poet and artist.
I’m going to focus on positivity and pleasure. I’m aiming for encouragement, support and satisfaction. I’m interested in building on what I’ve already learned about who I am and where I can imbue my process with possibility.
I’ve embraced productivity as a synonym for success for so long that it’s hard now to accept my desire for something else in its place.
The boats are heavy. My hands are soft. The portage “saves us” from a series of rapids and falls but is so taxing I joke that, next time, I’m just going for it.