The Unraveled Month #01
Things that filled my cup in August
In my last post I mentioned this concept of creative living. Is it just for “creatives”, for artsy people, for artists? No. To me it feels like the interconnectedness of all the things in my life and how everything feeds everything else. This is why I have no real discernible work/life balance and honestly don’t want any! There is no separation for me and not in an unhealthy way. I feel the urge to type “my life is my art” but that sounds so wanky — “my life is my canvas” is equally annoying. I now understand that my neurodivergence is a huge part of my creativity but you don’t need a spicy brain to notice the world around you. And that is the important bit. NOTICING.
I’m calling these posts The Unraveled Month because I’d love to start doing them monthly. Heck, I’d love to do them weekly but I am not putting that pressure on myself. I will do them until I no longer feel inspired to do them and will let them morph into something else. That’s as much as I can tell you ;-)
So here’s what I noticed in August 2023.
➸ An inspiring space dedicated to creativity, exactly as she wants it. Seeing Erykah Badu’s studio made my heart do that yearning thing when something feels like an echo from your future. There will be a house move and relocation for me in the next two years — I don’t know when or how but my internal compass is starting to orient towards it. Watching this video reflected back my vision for a forever home with a creative cave at the centre. Pomegranate red walls, floor to ceiling book selves, a gallery wall of art, a day bed, nestled in the heart of my home. The rest of the house will be white floors and necessary bits but at the centre will be this womb space.
➸ Patricia Clarkson on Why She Didn't Marry or Have Kids: ‘I’ve Had a Sexy-Ass Life’
➸ This piece about the creative grief we feel when a project ends was interesting. I always feel utterly lost when a big project is over but I typically give myself a day to flit about my house then ease into something new (there’s always something new). Last time this happened I hyper-focussed on building a new website 😂
➸ I feel like a bit of a werewolf. This interview with Neko Case on
Being 52 has really shone a spotlight on how much of my life was wasted in the tractor beam of the male gaze. I mourn that loss of time and experience and freedom like mourning the passing of a loved one.
➸ My big nephew stayed with me for a week at the end of the month and we had the BEST time. Every year I say to my sister “this is the best age” and every year I am right :-) We explored Chinatown and Covent Garden, walked along the Southbank, went to see Barbie, bought lots of new outfits (non-binary kids shop in the boys AND girls sections 💗) and Noah got to visit the Tate Modern for the first time. My heart was bursting open as he snapped photos in the Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian exhibition and I cried watching every episode of Heartstopper with him. What a gift that show is for our kids (though Noah says he liked the books even better!)
And there you have it. What did you notice in August? Feel free to share links and thoughts in the comments!
COMING NEXT FROM ME: Almost ready to open the doors to The Inside Story, my business course distilling everything I’ve learned from my 14 years (how?!) running an online biz! This year you can either take the FULL course (including x2 Zoom calls) or just the ECOURSES module or NEWSLETTER module, depending on what you need — doors are now open!! xo
Heartstopper is so tender & wonderful, and yes, the graphic novels are even better! There is so much media that I wish had existed when I was growing up. I put myself into boxes that I didn’t really have to, but things were just different.
I like this Freudian slip: “floor to ceiling book selves.” Xx