Hi Jess! Lovely to read another piece from you! I've recently returned to Substack and am eager to reconnect with people.
The tattoo looks fab! Loving it and pls keep us updated on your other pieces.
Congratulations on narrating books! What a great thing to be doing. I'm glad to hear your reading has been going well. Another hobby of mine I'm trying desperately to return to and fit in my day :)
Accepting ourselves the way that we are (unless we'd really benefit from a change and it's something totally internal to us) may be something that comes with age. I may be wrong for I have several examples of people who do the diets and whatnot to become what family or society wants them to but I'd like to believe we're less prone to submit to these pressures as we move further away from our birth date....
So happy to see you here, Siya! My writing has been so infrequent over the last year with diving into audiobooks, but I'm hoping to carve more space for my writing now that I'm finding a better flow with that whole process. What have you been reading lately? Definitely - the further I get from my birth date, the more I feel like myself. Would have been nice to arrive at that point earlier, but in my own journey I've gained so much along the way. <3
Thank you, Jess! I think we've both been in the same boat but we're back now. It's a sign to keep going!
I'm hoping I do better with reading this year. I've been reading a memoir / nonfiction called Babysittibg George on a topic that normally doesn't interest me but I've taken a risk, and just started a novel called Isabel and Rocco (again, perhaps not my usual style but I like experimenting). Keen to read more short stories so any recommendations would be very much welcome!
Yes, exactly! I'll have to add those titles to my list. I don't read many short stories - I find that I am so engrossed that when it ends I'm (slightly) emotionally devastated, ha! If I can think of any I will certainly let you know. What genres do you tend to enjoy?
Hey Jess! Please do but be mindful I am not far enough into them to properly recommend (even though I know how subjective reading is anyway!). I will let you know once I am done just in case :)
I normally read historical fiction, family sagas, crime / thriller, magical realism (Haruki Murakami...), classics and modern classics (I have a list of titles I really need to get through!), some contemporary (literary fiction mostly). I have, in the last couple of years, tried to incorporate more memoirs, biographies and autobiographies in my reading.
Your words were like coming home to my skin this morning. Thank you for this imagery. And that tattoo is stunning. I love the idea of a garden growing around you. Reminds me of Taylor Swift’s song “Ivy.” Adding your recent audiobook to my cue!
That is such a lovely thing to read - "coming home to my skin." Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm a gigantic Swiftie novice - I'll add that song to my list!
A beautiful post. I feel like I’m currently in the process of trying to find my way to my soul-skin. I loved reading about the Selkie and returning back to our true home. It’s encouraging to hear you feel like your soul-skin now fits. Your description really resonates with how I want to feel. It’s great to read a post from you again. I love your tattoo too. It’s beautiful.
Thank you so much, Emily, for these words and sharing. I've missed writing here, and hope I can continue with it more often as I have so many words rattling around all the time!
I love your tattoo! And am enjoying your narration of Charmian's life. Edge overheard the book as I was listening and was like, "this is your friend?!" He was also drawn in by your storyteller's voice ❤️
"For the first time in a long time, or perhaps for the first in all my time, I feel like the soul-skin I am in fits." This was a wonderful read! I can't wait to listen to your audiobooks.
The hardest part of my reading deprivation was seeing this in my inbox and having to set it aside for later. I’m so glad to get this update and hear you express pride in your growth. You’re amazing. I love the tattoo!!!
Hi Jess! Lovely to read another piece from you! I've recently returned to Substack and am eager to reconnect with people.
The tattoo looks fab! Loving it and pls keep us updated on your other pieces.
Congratulations on narrating books! What a great thing to be doing. I'm glad to hear your reading has been going well. Another hobby of mine I'm trying desperately to return to and fit in my day :)
Accepting ourselves the way that we are (unless we'd really benefit from a change and it's something totally internal to us) may be something that comes with age. I may be wrong for I have several examples of people who do the diets and whatnot to become what family or society wants them to but I'd like to believe we're less prone to submit to these pressures as we move further away from our birth date....
So happy to see you here, Siya! My writing has been so infrequent over the last year with diving into audiobooks, but I'm hoping to carve more space for my writing now that I'm finding a better flow with that whole process. What have you been reading lately? Definitely - the further I get from my birth date, the more I feel like myself. Would have been nice to arrive at that point earlier, but in my own journey I've gained so much along the way. <3
Thank you, Jess! I think we've both been in the same boat but we're back now. It's a sign to keep going!
I'm hoping I do better with reading this year. I've been reading a memoir / nonfiction called Babysittibg George on a topic that normally doesn't interest me but I've taken a risk, and just started a novel called Isabel and Rocco (again, perhaps not my usual style but I like experimenting). Keen to read more short stories so any recommendations would be very much welcome!
Yes, exactly! I'll have to add those titles to my list. I don't read many short stories - I find that I am so engrossed that when it ends I'm (slightly) emotionally devastated, ha! If I can think of any I will certainly let you know. What genres do you tend to enjoy?
Hey Jess! Please do but be mindful I am not far enough into them to properly recommend (even though I know how subjective reading is anyway!). I will let you know once I am done just in case :)
I normally read historical fiction, family sagas, crime / thriller, magical realism (Haruki Murakami...), classics and modern classics (I have a list of titles I really need to get through!), some contemporary (literary fiction mostly). I have, in the last couple of years, tried to incorporate more memoirs, biographies and autobiographies in my reading.
How about you?
Your words were like coming home to my skin this morning. Thank you for this imagery. And that tattoo is stunning. I love the idea of a garden growing around you. Reminds me of Taylor Swift’s song “Ivy.” Adding your recent audiobook to my cue!
That is such a lovely thing to read - "coming home to my skin." Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm a gigantic Swiftie novice - I'll add that song to my list!
The selkie metaphor is so perfect for describing a woman coming home to herself. Love your words, as always.
Thank you, Ashley. It connects with me so deeply.
A beautiful post. I feel like I’m currently in the process of trying to find my way to my soul-skin. I loved reading about the Selkie and returning back to our true home. It’s encouraging to hear you feel like your soul-skin now fits. Your description really resonates with how I want to feel. It’s great to read a post from you again. I love your tattoo too. It’s beautiful.
Thank you so much, Emily, for these words and sharing. I've missed writing here, and hope I can continue with it more often as I have so many words rattling around all the time!
I love your tattoo! And am enjoying your narration of Charmian's life. Edge overheard the book as I was listening and was like, "this is your friend?!" He was also drawn in by your storyteller's voice ❤️
Thank you, friend. ❤️
"For the first time in a long time, or perhaps for the first in all my time, I feel like the soul-skin I am in fits." This was a wonderful read! I can't wait to listen to your audiobooks.
Thank you so much, Rosalee!! I truly appreciate your words and kindness. <3
Jess- what a beautiful post! It sounds like you are grounding yourself and are very happy.
I can tell you yes- that your 40s are going to be a blast !
Your tattoo is absolutely beautiful.
Thanks, Dana!! I am in a very new to me season of life and yes, grounding myself encapsulates it so perfectly. <3
Adding these titles to my list! 🦭
😍❤️
The hardest part of my reading deprivation was seeing this in my inbox and having to set it aside for later. I’m so glad to get this update and hear you express pride in your growth. You’re amazing. I love the tattoo!!!