So much resonance Josie. I found myself asking these exact same questions after resisting, fighting, trying to fix a neurological disorder for years. Finally, exhausted, i gave up and asked what it might be like to live unfixed. I could spend years talking to you about this process, the deep unraveling of everything we’ve been told about how to “live well.”
If you have fifteen minutes to fall into the stories of others living with chronic illness, you might want to watch this episode in particular in the Unfixed doc-series. Within the same vein of questioning as your What If, but they explore it within the binary choice of either being healthy but losing all the lessons gained from illness, or choosing the life they’re living now?
Powerful writing, Josie. Your strength and resilience is so instructive to me, and many others. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your vulnerability. Thank you for sharing this journey with me in a way that allows me to grow. ❤️
"The problem with plans is that they exist as something separate, unrooted from any reality."
That's an interesting observation Josie. I think there are "plans" that are more like wishes that are truly disconnected from the facts on the ground. These plans lead inevitably to disappointment.
Good plans are based on data and work within our sphere of control (which can be larger or smaller than we imagine). I like some of the plans you describe in your essay. They sound wise.
Hugely helpful right now for me and beautifully written! On the day I launch my self-published book in a bookshop full of traditionally-published titles I am having all those control it, define it, measure up to it thoughts. But life is different and sometimes you are in the raging river, sometimes on the peaceful bank. I don't know what it means but your willingness to face up to change helps us all. Thank you, Josie.
I've come back to this again this morning. It was like a weather system blowing through me yesterday just after you published it. You've put flesh onto the bones of everything I've been wrestling with this week (these years) about surrender and acceptance, and what might come next. Thankyou for writing from such a place. We are brim full of courage. X
I am a shapeshifting witch. I have held many shapes and identities and there are still more in my future. Thank you for the gift of your words and Samhain blessings to you x
Ah Josie, as always, you just nail it! We try to mould our lives into what we feel they should be, but rarely are, and pain especially, makes us crave solidity and certainty. I love that about holding plans loosely. Reminds me of the poem Clover Stroud read out in her last video post about going through life lightly. I so look forward to both your posts, they keep me sane!
So much resonance Josie. I found myself asking these exact same questions after resisting, fighting, trying to fix a neurological disorder for years. Finally, exhausted, i gave up and asked what it might be like to live unfixed. I could spend years talking to you about this process, the deep unraveling of everything we’ve been told about how to “live well.”
If you have fifteen minutes to fall into the stories of others living with chronic illness, you might want to watch this episode in particular in the Unfixed doc-series. Within the same vein of questioning as your What If, but they explore it within the binary choice of either being healthy but losing all the lessons gained from illness, or choosing the life they’re living now?
Powerful writing, Josie. Your strength and resilience is so instructive to me, and many others. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your vulnerability. Thank you for sharing this journey with me in a way that allows me to grow. ❤️
"The problem with plans is that they exist as something separate, unrooted from any reality."
That's an interesting observation Josie. I think there are "plans" that are more like wishes that are truly disconnected from the facts on the ground. These plans lead inevitably to disappointment.
Good plans are based on data and work within our sphere of control (which can be larger or smaller than we imagine). I like some of the plans you describe in your essay. They sound wise.
I love this! Thank you, new you
A wonderful powerful post, thank you for the invitation “what if I am?”
Hugely helpful right now for me and beautifully written! On the day I launch my self-published book in a bookshop full of traditionally-published titles I am having all those control it, define it, measure up to it thoughts. But life is different and sometimes you are in the raging river, sometimes on the peaceful bank. I don't know what it means but your willingness to face up to change helps us all. Thank you, Josie.
Something in this has nudged something for me, something I’ve been fighting with. Not fixed it, but let in a little, different light. Thank you xxx
Thank you for sharing your profound wisdom. Inspiring.
I've come back to this again this morning. It was like a weather system blowing through me yesterday just after you published it. You've put flesh onto the bones of everything I've been wrestling with this week (these years) about surrender and acceptance, and what might come next. Thankyou for writing from such a place. We are brim full of courage. X
So full of challenging wisdom and truth. Do I dare become myself? Thank you for daring.
Beautiful and wise, as always.
Truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this
This is the most beautiful piece I’ve read this year - thank you.
Beautiful, empowering, insightful. Thank you for sharing ✨
I am a shapeshifting witch. I have held many shapes and identities and there are still more in my future. Thank you for the gift of your words and Samhain blessings to you x
Ah Josie, as always, you just nail it! We try to mould our lives into what we feel they should be, but rarely are, and pain especially, makes us crave solidity and certainty. I love that about holding plans loosely. Reminds me of the poem Clover Stroud read out in her last video post about going through life lightly. I so look forward to both your posts, they keep me sane!