Quite to my surprise, I find myself on holiday. I write this from a long, clean table next to an open door and tall, wide windows. Light, light is everywhere. Light on my skin, light on the pale grey stones of the shingle. To look up is to see the green mountains of Skye, their tops hidden in soft cloud. The sea is silver like a mirror. I spend so much time in one urban room, one urban house, one urban neighbourhood, that to go anywhere different feels like being born all over again — bewildering, life-changing —and I am not just anywhere different this time, I am here, on the edge of the earth, in what feels like the birthplace of the sky and the sea and the land itself. I am as shaky, small, awkward and inexperienced as the new lambs that trotted cheerfully past my bedroom window this morning when I opened the curtains, making me laugh and laugh. Sheep! Right here with me!
There is much to say and to tell that will have to wait — I have some resting and healing and rediscovering to do — but until then, while I find what I need here, I wanted to offer something to you too.
I do not know what ails you right now, but maybe, maybe, there are some words here that might help.
Go well. I love you.
YOUR PRESCRIPTION
Find yourself in one of these statements.
Find some company where you are.
IF YOU… are often a pessimist, if you always fear and expect the worst, if perhaps you realise in this moment that this habitual pattern of your mind is slowly growing stronger and stronger, bleaching life of all hope and colour, CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
IF YOU… find yourself strangely unwilling to go outside or spend time in nature, if you’re feeling disconnected from the world around you, like it’s flat and inanimate and separate from you — too dirty, too run-down and worn-out — that it has no message for you, CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
IF YOU… feel like you aren’t good enough to write, paint, make music, whatever — that you’re too tired, too sick, too old, too unskilled — CLICK HERE AND READ THIS, then GO READ THIS TOO.
IF YOU… feel like your body is your enemy, CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
IF YOU… feel invisible, like you exist on the edge of things, like nobody sees what you do and you’re wondering if any of it matters — CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
IF YOU… are resisting change, CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
IF YOU… have been holding yourself in a state of waiting, surviving, just going through the motions, resisting your life as it is, waiting waiting waiting for a better life, a better self, CLICK HERE AND READ THIS.
Josie, I look forward to reading these but I wanted you to know that I've been in hospital this week and one night was particularly hard. I downloaded A Still Life on Audible and just let it play quietly on my headphones through the night, drifting in and out with your insight soothing me in the background. It's made a huge difference to my week, so thank you. I've been cleared to go home today, finally. I hope you enjoy your holiday 💜
I'm going to be o.k., and I'm surrounded by things that can help. I needed the first prescription. Thank you Josie.