Oh I love this, and I probably have so many rules that I've never really thought about. Lots of yours definitely rang true for me. It's funny the limitations we impose on ourselves isn't it. Here's to recognising our rules and then starting to break them.
Thanks Louise. I've been feeling so frozen with how to get back to something I love so much (writing here). So it means a lot that this has resonated. And it breaks a lot of my 'rules'!
'newsletters must always be a certain (substantial) length'
I can relate to this. If my articles don't reach a certain length as well as depth, I feel unfulfilled and that it's not particularly worthy of being published.
Good to have you back and sorry to hear you’ve not been well. Funny how we impose rules on ourselves isn’t it? As I get older I realise that the rules are that there are no rules!
Ha! Yes. Also a recovering rule follower. I think we share some of the same rules - needs to be of the proper length- but not too long though!! Mine must also always be pretty, and include my own artwork or photos. Oh the burdens we lay on ourselves! I’m glad you’re back! Happy writing 💛💛
And I'm trying not to feel to bad that I've massively broken another rule of mine and still owe you the piece I've promised! But maybe it's good rule breaking practice...!
💛 when the time is right, and only then 😘 I have a piece that I promised I would write for another Substack that I think has been more than six months and still not finished!! So, no need to worry xx
Welcome back, Janelle! Delighted to read this as I take stock of my own (SS) rules and routines more generally and my relationship to them. So many parallels with how I'm feeling here, and I really value you calling this out. Lots to think on as I draft this week's post in my head during a fitful night's sleep...
Haha oh yes I #hardrelate in setting myself rules!! I am also rebelling this week. Chronic illness and rules are not happy bedfellows so the rules are OUT! I laughed out loud at the audio - I recorded one of my articles on audio then became totally overwhelmed with the need to re-record every single one on audio from now on… I have got over myself. Keep doing what you’re doing in whatever way feels right… where we’re going…there ain’t no rules 💕
Glad to hear you’re feeling better. Your reflections are like a breath of fresh air, questioning the unseen boundaries we set for ourselves. Here’s to more spontaneity and less rigidity, wherever that may take us.
Oh I love this, and I probably have so many rules that I've never really thought about. Lots of yours definitely rang true for me. It's funny the limitations we impose on ourselves isn't it. Here's to recognising our rules and then starting to break them.
Thanks Louise. I've been feeling so frozen with how to get back to something I love so much (writing here). So it means a lot that this has resonated. And it breaks a lot of my 'rules'!
Yes let's rip up our rule books.
'newsletters must always be a certain (substantial) length'
I can relate to this. If my articles don't reach a certain length as well as depth, I feel unfulfilled and that it's not particularly worthy of being published.
I read a piece yesterday that was only one paragraph but it was very powerful and stayed with me. I'm going to try and remember this
This is definitely one that rings true for me too. And yet some of the most impactful pieces I've read recently have been super short.
Good to have you back and sorry to hear you’ve not been well. Funny how we impose rules on ourselves isn’t it? As I get older I realise that the rules are that there are no rules!
I seem to have LOADS. I'd to live more by your rule. Brilliant 💪
Ha! Yes. Also a recovering rule follower. I think we share some of the same rules - needs to be of the proper length- but not too long though!! Mine must also always be pretty, and include my own artwork or photos. Oh the burdens we lay on ourselves! I’m glad you’re back! Happy writing 💛💛
Glad this has resonated, Emily. Thank you.
And I'm trying not to feel to bad that I've massively broken another rule of mine and still owe you the piece I've promised! But maybe it's good rule breaking practice...!
💛 when the time is right, and only then 😘 I have a piece that I promised I would write for another Substack that I think has been more than six months and still not finished!! So, no need to worry xx
Welcome back, Janelle! Delighted to read this as I take stock of my own (SS) rules and routines more generally and my relationship to them. So many parallels with how I'm feeling here, and I really value you calling this out. Lots to think on as I draft this week's post in my head during a fitful night's sleep...
Thank you dear Lindsay. I'm glad that this has struck a chord with others in addition to helping me call out my own sneaky rules.
Take it gently and well done on pulling together another powerful letter even with the hurdles and rules.
I know what you mean with these. I'm practicing giving less shits and trying to post a wider variety of length and levels of substance. X
I love this. There are so many things I'm working on giving less shits about!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Haha oh yes I #hardrelate in setting myself rules!! I am also rebelling this week. Chronic illness and rules are not happy bedfellows so the rules are OUT! I laughed out loud at the audio - I recorded one of my articles on audio then became totally overwhelmed with the need to re-record every single one on audio from now on… I have got over myself. Keep doing what you’re doing in whatever way feels right… where we’re going…there ain’t no rules 💕
Hi Janelle,
Glad to hear you’re feeling better. Your reflections are like a breath of fresh air, questioning the unseen boundaries we set for ourselves. Here’s to more spontaneity and less rigidity, wherever that may take us.