In my last post, I wrote of leaving for a writing retreat. Here is my report about how it went, what I learned, and why I think it was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.
I did find a winner. It truly was a time when I grew in new ways and found important keys to how to move forward with something I’ve worked on for a long time.
Thank you Sally for this wonderful post and your words of high praise for the retreat. Val and I are really happy how much you got out of it and how it opened up new ideas and approaches for you. We aim to be the opposite of “oversold and underwhelming” and we’re honored you made the trip to be with us. It’s wonderful to read some of your writing here and we look forward to seeing how you stretch and grow and build momentum writing your stories!
Thank you, Diana. I will long treasure the time I had learning from you and getting to know you at the retreat. I also look forward to working with you in the future. Here’s to growing and building momentum in writing my stories!
A writers retreat is on my bucket list. The Festival of Faith and Writing was inspirational, you said it well “rubbing elbows” with others writers. Listening to excellent writers sharing their craft was a real shot that I hadn’t anticipated. My next bucket list is an Amtrak trip Chicago to Glacier National Park in July. (Will do final edits of memoir on train before professional editing)
Mothers and mothering is filled with so much emotion, joy and pain. We grew up in an era of great privacy…protect the family (silence) (wrong emotions). Consider joining WriteTrackers with Ann. I participate regularly. Feel a lot of support as the same people attend and share. Plus I’d see you regularly!
Sarah, I’m so glad you were able to go to the Festival of Faith and Writing. I saw you photo. I think you were with Ann. I would love to go to that particular event sometime. Maybe next year. I am envious of the trip you will be taking! That too is on my bucket list. We must meet up and talk about it and all that is going on with you and your memoir. Good for you for having it so close to making edits!
As far as your words about the generation in which we grew up goes, you are spot on!
I honestly did not know about @Ann Kroeker’s WriteTrackers. I will go to her website and check it out. I would love seeing you there on a regular basis, and of course, Ann too.
Good luck, Sally! Though I don't think you need any. The things you mentioned--especially the "you don't feel this way" or "don't feel this way"...oof. That was said to me. I remember the experience of my feelings being discounted. This is such a lovely kickstart. It's a nice reminder that we can still find them, in retreats and with each other.
Thank you, Wendy! I’m sorry you too heard those words and took them to heart. When our feelings discounted, I think we responded with, “I guess my feelings really don’t matter and aren’t important.” That was the sad part, I think. We (I) then responded to feelings by not acknowledging them or sharing them. I’m not sure my mother meant to do damage by saying these things. She no doubt heard them herself from her mother. The thing is it did damage to our ability to have develop any kind of healthy relationship with our own emotions and the emotions of others. I’ve often felt like an emotional cripple. I don’t think I am alone in that.
We can have these healthy encounters with others now. Isn’t nice to know that?
It really is. The truth is everything. Starting with the truth of us. And I think you’re right—it wasn’t always mean-spirited. Just thoughtless. A “put on a happy face” sort of message, shared because that’s how they got by. It’s a shame that it takes us so long to unravel that. But we do. And I’m really glad. x
That was some inspiration from your walk and nap, Sally! Comparing that season to the lights and darks of painting really spoke to me. I too had no idea how to express my experiences in that childhood period, and would have been fairly terrified to consider it. I'm glad you're finding more tools for your word toolbox!
Thank you for making me feel less alone. Knowing there are others who had the same experiences I did in childhood makes me feel less alone, even as childhood was a very long time ago. We carry those fears with us, sometimes unknowingly.
Also, thank you for dropping by to read and comment. It means so much.
Wow…you were meant to be there, Sally! And the poem you wrote told so much of what’s been troubling you, holding you back from writing it down. …a major breakthrough I
I would say. I am so proud of you for doing this…for sharing how retreats or writing groups support each other. I’ve learned that one must have some structure and a goal. Bravo and cheers my friend! Best thing I’ve read today! 🙌🫶🎉😍
I think I was supposed to be there! I felt that way during the entire time. The poem did feel like a breakthrough. Thank you for seeing it as such. I think that speaks to the teacher in you. You know when those breakthroughs happen because you are such an intuitive person and teacher. I can see that.
Also thank you for recognizing that it took some doing at this age to give myself permission to take on such a venture. Perhaps one the best things that came out of the entire experience was that I also began to see how to create some structure around a project I have long tried to make progress on.
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing my post! You definitely made my day with you last sentence. Thank you! Thinking of you as you make your way on your road trip. 🚗🫶
Sounds like one of those life-forming retreats that is just the right environment--people, place, purpose, for you to embed your learning and relationships. They are rare, and it sounds like you found a winner. Bravo, Sally.
It really was a retreat that one could describe as life-forming. For me it was more life-giving when it came to my writing. These types of retreats are often oversold and underwhelming when you get there, but not this one. They are rare, as you said. Thank you so much for reading, commenting, and sharing. It all means so much.
I did find a winner. It truly was a time when I grew in new ways and found important keys to how to move forward with something I’ve worked on for a long time.
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing.
Thank you Sally for this wonderful post and your words of high praise for the retreat. Val and I are really happy how much you got out of it and how it opened up new ideas and approaches for you. We aim to be the opposite of “oversold and underwhelming” and we’re honored you made the trip to be with us. It’s wonderful to read some of your writing here and we look forward to seeing how you stretch and grow and build momentum writing your stories!
Thank you, Diana. I will long treasure the time I had learning from you and getting to know you at the retreat. I also look forward to working with you in the future. Here’s to growing and building momentum in writing my stories!
Thank you Sally, that means a lot to us, and Yes to all of that!! So glad our paths have crossed.
A writers retreat is on my bucket list. The Festival of Faith and Writing was inspirational, you said it well “rubbing elbows” with others writers. Listening to excellent writers sharing their craft was a real shot that I hadn’t anticipated. My next bucket list is an Amtrak trip Chicago to Glacier National Park in July. (Will do final edits of memoir on train before professional editing)
Mothers and mothering is filled with so much emotion, joy and pain. We grew up in an era of great privacy…protect the family (silence) (wrong emotions). Consider joining WriteTrackers with Ann. I participate regularly. Feel a lot of support as the same people attend and share. Plus I’d see you regularly!
Sarah, I’m so glad you were able to go to the Festival of Faith and Writing. I saw you photo. I think you were with Ann. I would love to go to that particular event sometime. Maybe next year. I am envious of the trip you will be taking! That too is on my bucket list. We must meet up and talk about it and all that is going on with you and your memoir. Good for you for having it so close to making edits!
As far as your words about the generation in which we grew up goes, you are spot on!
I honestly did not know about @Ann Kroeker’s WriteTrackers. I will go to her website and check it out. I would love seeing you there on a regular basis, and of course, Ann too.
Good luck, Sally! Though I don't think you need any. The things you mentioned--especially the "you don't feel this way" or "don't feel this way"...oof. That was said to me. I remember the experience of my feelings being discounted. This is such a lovely kickstart. It's a nice reminder that we can still find them, in retreats and with each other.
Thank you, Wendy! I’m sorry you too heard those words and took them to heart. When our feelings discounted, I think we responded with, “I guess my feelings really don’t matter and aren’t important.” That was the sad part, I think. We (I) then responded to feelings by not acknowledging them or sharing them. I’m not sure my mother meant to do damage by saying these things. She no doubt heard them herself from her mother. The thing is it did damage to our ability to have develop any kind of healthy relationship with our own emotions and the emotions of others. I’ve often felt like an emotional cripple. I don’t think I am alone in that.
We can have these healthy encounters with others now. Isn’t nice to know that?
It really is. The truth is everything. Starting with the truth of us. And I think you’re right—it wasn’t always mean-spirited. Just thoughtless. A “put on a happy face” sort of message, shared because that’s how they got by. It’s a shame that it takes us so long to unravel that. But we do. And I’m really glad. x
That was some inspiration from your walk and nap, Sally! Comparing that season to the lights and darks of painting really spoke to me. I too had no idea how to express my experiences in that childhood period, and would have been fairly terrified to consider it. I'm glad you're finding more tools for your word toolbox!
Thank you for making me feel less alone. Knowing there are others who had the same experiences I did in childhood makes me feel less alone, even as childhood was a very long time ago. We carry those fears with us, sometimes unknowingly.
Also, thank you for dropping by to read and comment. It means so much.
It's funny that time seems to do little to erase fears, but sort of puts them on pause. I know your words will become your keys.
Wow…you were meant to be there, Sally! And the poem you wrote told so much of what’s been troubling you, holding you back from writing it down. …a major breakthrough I
I would say. I am so proud of you for doing this…for sharing how retreats or writing groups support each other. I’ve learned that one must have some structure and a goal. Bravo and cheers my friend! Best thing I’ve read today! 🙌🫶🎉😍
I think I was supposed to be there! I felt that way during the entire time. The poem did feel like a breakthrough. Thank you for seeing it as such. I think that speaks to the teacher in you. You know when those breakthroughs happen because you are such an intuitive person and teacher. I can see that.
Also thank you for recognizing that it took some doing at this age to give myself permission to take on such a venture. Perhaps one the best things that came out of the entire experience was that I also began to see how to create some structure around a project I have long tried to make progress on.
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing my post! You definitely made my day with you last sentence. Thank you! Thinking of you as you make your way on your road trip. 🚗🫶
Sounds like one of those life-forming retreats that is just the right environment--people, place, purpose, for you to embed your learning and relationships. They are rare, and it sounds like you found a winner. Bravo, Sally.
It really was a retreat that one could describe as life-forming. For me it was more life-giving when it came to my writing. These types of retreats are often oversold and underwhelming when you get there, but not this one. They are rare, as you said. Thank you so much for reading, commenting, and sharing. It all means so much.