This is wonderful. I've recently gotten into Natalie Goldberg's material on writing as Zen meditation and this reminds me of her rules for writing practice from Wild Mind:
1. Keep your hand moving.
2. Lose control.
3. Be specific.
4. Don't think.
5. Don't worry about punctuation, spelling or grammar. 6. Be free to write the worst junk in America.
That's probably where the most aliveness comes through.
I'm thinking most of us could really use #7 not just in writing, but most other areas of our lives. Creatively, I think that's where I want to be--going for the jugular.
What do you think of her approach? Any unlocks for you?
i love the tiny things! the tiny things are so so important! mundane moments like these are my favorites, like secrets of the world that you’ll only get to hear if you really pay attention.
ah let me see, i have a few -- walked through a neighbourhood near a festival and saw so many parked cars set up with mattresses and pillows and curtains and fairly lights, ready to sleep in; thought it was sweet. -- went into a flower shop and saw a bride-to-be picking out lots of flowers for her wedding, all in whites and soft pinks, and they were so pretty and she seemed so enthusiastic. -- was watching some ants in the garden building an underground home, and it was interesting to observe them work together and carry things and move around; how their lives are so tiny in this big world, but they just keep doing their own thing
Love your sharing on the flow of life through your eyes. The everyday is truly the best, and writing certainly has a big hand in romanticizing life. My favourite subjects to sketch are the everyday scenes: the trash can, the train station, the kitchen - perhaps you find that similar feeling, too, maybe even with your poetry? Would love to see more of your trivial treasures from time to time.
Ooh, I love that. The world is your sketching oyster! I'm with you on this. I think it's finally time to start getting in some sketching of the ordinary for me. I've been putting it off.
& I definitely feel that with poetry!!!!
What medium do you want my trivial treasures in? 🧐
I love this celebration of everyday moments. I love your story telling with these 3 vignettes, they’re so visual and I can imagine myself in your shoes experiencing these lil delights.
“I stared at the shadows; they swayed in harmony with the branches, rising and falling, reminding me of a buoy bobbing atop an ocean’s waves.” I find this moment so peaceful and a trance I often fall into. I love your reflection of your experience of this moment too, how you felt the flow of life.
“Like a child playing acrobat, he tiptoed on the edges of the tiled star, bent down, and picked up a vine with a single leaf. He gently painted the statue’s feet with it.” I’m picturing a big burly man breaking out his playful tender side. I want to find something like this and I want to go people watching with you!
“The tiniest moments are important because they make up most of our daily lives.” I’m resonating with this idea a lot. And I’m wondering how much of my daily life I’m not capturing, reflecting on, and archiving. I feel like we’re all focusing on the future, and have a goal to become grandiose, because that is what we celebrate the most as a society. We strive and live for these one-off moments that last a second, and want the present to end as fast as possible so we can experience that big event ASAP. But the present is very real. And we tend to avoid it bc it’s not that future big life event.
I’m inspired to pay more attention to the present and write about it! And already started taking note of my commute observations! I’m excited for your next essay!
Thank you! When do you find yourself in trances? What are you staring at?
Not a big burly man! That's funny, though. A skinny bearded man. We'll pretend he was big and burly. lol
How are your people watching skills? Are you a good people watching companion? Is it secretly because you want to people watch me?
I would love to read your observations on your commute! There's so much good fodder there, I bet. I'd like to see New York commutes through your eyes. Mostly, I'd like to see what draws your attention. It might be different from other people. But I'm torn on what you said about capturing, reflecting, and archiving daily life. I think a lot of that can also be a distraction away from it.
I do agree with what you're saying about people being focused on big events and not the present ones; it misses the fact that everything happening between big events are also big events; they're worthy of being present for. I think those tend to be the moments we miss the most once we're onto the bigger events and realize we don't get them back.
Beards are burly! Let’s go with lanky burly man lol
I find myself in them when I need them, like when I’m so tired and can’t think, so I just chill and listen. Do you get that too? When do you find yourself in trances?
How does one define their people watching skills? I am quick to look away if someone catches me lol how are yours? I would people watching you people watching... if that’s what you mean lol
Maybe I should do a writing experiment about my commute and what draws my attention and when. The commute is chaotic, yet efficient. I know which car to be in on the train so I can quickly get from point A to point B. But chaotic bc there’s so many people you actually walk into them. And then there’s the crazy people. Thanks for the suggestion! I’m gonna try this! When you were working what was your commute like? I’m imagining you listening to cozy music!
Hahahahahaha "I am quick to look away if someone catches me." Gotta be more sneaky so they don't catch you! 😎 I'm a fairly skilled people watcher lol
Yeah, I wonder how much you're on autopilot during your commute since it's different from driving, but it's also so chaotic, can you be on autopilot during an experience like that? Probably still since you're so used to it?
My drives were so short, especially compared to what seems like everyone else's commute, since the school was close. But they were also distressing.
Such a worthy responsibility you have taken upon yourself, and we’re all the more complete because of it. Totally, by writing about them, you give power to those "mundane" things, moments, feelings, which, as you so rightly point out, is pretty much all life is.
"My self-doubt is always a signal to write." So much wisdom contained there! Will start paying more attention to that, now that you've articulated it. Seems like the greatest north star for any writer to bring authenticity into their pieces.
Besides all thatl, reading this feels like a meditation, bringing me into the present moment.
Haha I meant mine since you already do it and pointed it out, but definitely ours in the end!
As for self-doubt -> authenticity, I can sense that by leaning into and facing what worries you, preoccupies you, it can yield some real writing, about what's really inside you, since it's something that surfaces the subconscious, don't you think?
I was thinking about how much I love reading about these little moments you write about when you said you had a moment of doubt. I love them! You have a fan here! I feel like I’m outside with you, the details are so beautiful and so poetic. And funny. I loved the guy with the leaf blower popping. Beautiful piece!
I appreciate you, Goose. For every person that probably reads my stuff and thinks, "this is dumb," I'm glad I've got a Goose in my corner, enjoying my little flowery moments.
I will beat those people up! Just kidding just kidding, everyone is allowed to enjoy their own thing. That being said, I think universally, we all love these beautifully painted moments that you share with us <3
This is so beautiful, Sandra. And so relatable. One of the phenomena I noticed ever since I've started writing is the natural attention to detail, the attraction to the seemingly unattractive, the noticing of beauty in the unnoticeable. "Writing validates the subjects we choose to write about. That validation is elevation." -- I love this. So perfectly conveyed.
I like what you're saying about attraction to the seemingly unattractive. I think that's a special skill to be able to identify the beautiful where others don't see it.
Do you feel like you were always like that? I wonder what makes some of us gravitate towards that more than others.
Jul 31, 2023·edited Jul 31, 2023Liked by Sandra Yvonne
Looooooooove this. I appreciate the walkthrough of noticing life, noticing the self-doubt, and then writing it anyway. Did you paint the monarchs? Have you seen the movie Showing Up?
👏👏👏Bravo!!!
Bravo right back at you 🫡
This is wonderful. I've recently gotten into Natalie Goldberg's material on writing as Zen meditation and this reminds me of her rules for writing practice from Wild Mind:
1. Keep your hand moving.
2. Lose control.
3. Be specific.
4. Don't think.
5. Don't worry about punctuation, spelling or grammar. 6. Be free to write the worst junk in America.
7. Go for the jugular.
Thanks, Tai!!
I LOVE "go for the jugular."
That's probably where the most aliveness comes through.
I'm thinking most of us could really use #7 not just in writing, but most other areas of our lives. Creatively, I think that's where I want to be--going for the jugular.
What do you think of her approach? Any unlocks for you?
i love the tiny things! the tiny things are so so important! mundane moments like these are my favorites, like secrets of the world that you’ll only get to hear if you really pay attention.
Yesssss a fellow tiny things lover :)
What are some recent tiny things you've been loving? share the secrets!
ah let me see, i have a few -- walked through a neighbourhood near a festival and saw so many parked cars set up with mattresses and pillows and curtains and fairly lights, ready to sleep in; thought it was sweet. -- went into a flower shop and saw a bride-to-be picking out lots of flowers for her wedding, all in whites and soft pinks, and they were so pretty and she seemed so enthusiastic. -- was watching some ants in the garden building an underground home, and it was interesting to observe them work together and carry things and move around; how their lives are so tiny in this big world, but they just keep doing their own thing
These are darling vignettes! Love the lil ant builders.
I was definitely confused about the mattresses and pillows and parked cars, are these like, RVs? lol
no, normal cars where they just lay down the back seats!
Love your sharing on the flow of life through your eyes. The everyday is truly the best, and writing certainly has a big hand in romanticizing life. My favourite subjects to sketch are the everyday scenes: the trash can, the train station, the kitchen - perhaps you find that similar feeling, too, maybe even with your poetry? Would love to see more of your trivial treasures from time to time.
Ooh, I love that. The world is your sketching oyster! I'm with you on this. I think it's finally time to start getting in some sketching of the ordinary for me. I've been putting it off.
& I definitely feel that with poetry!!!!
What medium do you want my trivial treasures in? 🧐
in any medium that'll taste like Sunday Candy ;)
I love this celebration of everyday moments. I love your story telling with these 3 vignettes, they’re so visual and I can imagine myself in your shoes experiencing these lil delights.
“I stared at the shadows; they swayed in harmony with the branches, rising and falling, reminding me of a buoy bobbing atop an ocean’s waves.” I find this moment so peaceful and a trance I often fall into. I love your reflection of your experience of this moment too, how you felt the flow of life.
“Like a child playing acrobat, he tiptoed on the edges of the tiled star, bent down, and picked up a vine with a single leaf. He gently painted the statue’s feet with it.” I’m picturing a big burly man breaking out his playful tender side. I want to find something like this and I want to go people watching with you!
“The tiniest moments are important because they make up most of our daily lives.” I’m resonating with this idea a lot. And I’m wondering how much of my daily life I’m not capturing, reflecting on, and archiving. I feel like we’re all focusing on the future, and have a goal to become grandiose, because that is what we celebrate the most as a society. We strive and live for these one-off moments that last a second, and want the present to end as fast as possible so we can experience that big event ASAP. But the present is very real. And we tend to avoid it bc it’s not that future big life event.
I’m inspired to pay more attention to the present and write about it! And already started taking note of my commute observations! I’m excited for your next essay!
Thank you! When do you find yourself in trances? What are you staring at?
Not a big burly man! That's funny, though. A skinny bearded man. We'll pretend he was big and burly. lol
How are your people watching skills? Are you a good people watching companion? Is it secretly because you want to people watch me?
I would love to read your observations on your commute! There's so much good fodder there, I bet. I'd like to see New York commutes through your eyes. Mostly, I'd like to see what draws your attention. It might be different from other people. But I'm torn on what you said about capturing, reflecting, and archiving daily life. I think a lot of that can also be a distraction away from it.
I do agree with what you're saying about people being focused on big events and not the present ones; it misses the fact that everything happening between big events are also big events; they're worthy of being present for. I think those tend to be the moments we miss the most once we're onto the bigger events and realize we don't get them back.
Beards are burly! Let’s go with lanky burly man lol
I find myself in them when I need them, like when I’m so tired and can’t think, so I just chill and listen. Do you get that too? When do you find yourself in trances?
How does one define their people watching skills? I am quick to look away if someone catches me lol how are yours? I would people watching you people watching... if that’s what you mean lol
Maybe I should do a writing experiment about my commute and what draws my attention and when. The commute is chaotic, yet efficient. I know which car to be in on the train so I can quickly get from point A to point B. But chaotic bc there’s so many people you actually walk into them. And then there’s the crazy people. Thanks for the suggestion! I’m gonna try this! When you were working what was your commute like? I’m imagining you listening to cozy music!
Ah, but trance or ✨disassociation✨?
Hahahahahaha "I am quick to look away if someone catches me." Gotta be more sneaky so they don't catch you! 😎 I'm a fairly skilled people watcher lol
Yeah, I wonder how much you're on autopilot during your commute since it's different from driving, but it's also so chaotic, can you be on autopilot during an experience like that? Probably still since you're so used to it?
My drives were so short, especially compared to what seems like everyone else's commute, since the school was close. But they were also distressing.
Such a worthy responsibility you have taken upon yourself, and we’re all the more complete because of it. Totally, by writing about them, you give power to those "mundane" things, moments, feelings, which, as you so rightly point out, is pretty much all life is.
"My self-doubt is always a signal to write." So much wisdom contained there! Will start paying more attention to that, now that you've articulated it. Seems like the greatest north star for any writer to bring authenticity into their pieces.
Besides all thatl, reading this feels like a meditation, bringing me into the present moment.
Ah. Paying more attention to my self-doubt or yours? Both of ours?😅
That's interesting!--could you elaborate on how you potentially see writing through the self-doubt bringing more authenticity in the pieces?
Thank you<3
Haha I meant mine since you already do it and pointed it out, but definitely ours in the end!
As for self-doubt -> authenticity, I can sense that by leaning into and facing what worries you, preoccupies you, it can yield some real writing, about what's really inside you, since it's something that surfaces the subconscious, don't you think?
I was thinking about how much I love reading about these little moments you write about when you said you had a moment of doubt. I love them! You have a fan here! I feel like I’m outside with you, the details are so beautiful and so poetic. And funny. I loved the guy with the leaf blower popping. Beautiful piece!
*MANY moments of doubt. Do those go away?
I appreciate you, Goose. For every person that probably reads my stuff and thinks, "this is dumb," I'm glad I've got a Goose in my corner, enjoying my little flowery moments.
<3
I will beat those people up! Just kidding just kidding, everyone is allowed to enjoy their own thing. That being said, I think universally, we all love these beautifully painted moments that you share with us <3
ATTACK, GOOSE, ATTACK. lollll
Aww<3
This is so beautiful, Sandra. And so relatable. One of the phenomena I noticed ever since I've started writing is the natural attention to detail, the attraction to the seemingly unattractive, the noticing of beauty in the unnoticeable. "Writing validates the subjects we choose to write about. That validation is elevation." -- I love this. So perfectly conveyed.
I like what you're saying about attraction to the seemingly unattractive. I think that's a special skill to be able to identify the beautiful where others don't see it.
Do you feel like you were always like that? I wonder what makes some of us gravitate towards that more than others.
Looooooooove this. I appreciate the walkthrough of noticing life, noticing the self-doubt, and then writing it anyway. Did you paint the monarchs? Have you seen the movie Showing Up?
Always gotta do The Thing anyway. I did not! I have not!
Recommend?
Yes, I recommend! It's a melancholic art school, self-dought banger.
OOOOH. Melancholic--perfection. Will check out!!!