Summer Break
...from writing anyway
Those of you who’ve read the past few newsletters know that I’m (already) questioning this writing journey. Well, I’ve decided to take a little break from questioning…not that I’ve been putting much energy into that anyway, to be honest.
I have lots going on in other areas of my life right now, and writing - whether this newsletter, Notes, or my book - is simply not on my priority list just now. So, I’m not going to think about it over the summer. No writing. No debating. No questioning.
Some of the things I’ll decide after the summer - in regard to writing - are:
Newsletter or no?
If so, how often?
Content?
Continuing as I have with a variety of personal and educational content?
Moving toward an even more informal journal/musings format?
Ramping up the psych education focus?
Sharing excerpts of the book?
Book?
Finish and pursue traditional publishing route?
Building on the sharing excerpts point above, I’ve been toying with skipping the publishing piece all together. If I believe that the content would be helpful for readers, maybe I’ll just skip the capitalistic maybe making money off it competitive marketing grind and just share it in my newsletters. Friend to friend. Person to person. Chapter section by chapter section. Maybe we could have some conversations about it as we go.
Continuing that thought, I strongly believe that healthcare (physical and mental) should not be for-profit. I despair at the this-for-that exchange model of our society and believe that it is harming each of us in some way or another. I yearn for generous community in which we do not each have to devote so many personal resources to surviving and can genuinely thrive through sharing our gifts and talents - freely, altruistically.
So, now my bohemian heart has been revealed. lol
And, my well-honed pragmatic self knows that utopia is well out of reach - at least for now (hope springs eternal), but that doesn’t mean I can’t - or shouldn’t - contribute to building that better world in small ways as I can.
A few months ago I wrote a newsletter encouraging each of us to “be A change [we] want to see in the world.”
I reminded you - and myself - that what we do makes a difference. If we want more kindness, we must be more kind. If we want more truth and transparency, we must be honest and vulnerable. If we want more community, we must build and engage in community. If we want more mutual care, we must offer more care.
So, if I believe that my ideas and my knowledge (which I’ve had the privilege to gain over years of study and work) could benefit those who struggle with their emotional coping patterns, perhaps I should just freely share those thoughts and information…no buy-a-book gatekeeping. Just, here you go. If it’s even in small part helpful to you - wonderful!
Anyway, that’s where my thoughts are currently roaming.
I would greatly appreciate your input. Refer back to the bulleted list above and share your thoughts with me, please. Or, just share random thoughts about my writing and your interests. Let me know what has been helpful or interesting - or what would be.
Click on the link below to send me a message.
May each of you create and receive rest, relaxation, and some good old fun this summer!
Be well. Wear your sunscreen!
~
Eileen