Be Curious #9 - 30 March 2025
On Seasons in Life
Maybe it is the change of seasons, as we slowly transition from the humidity of a Queensland summer into moments of coolness.
Perhaps it is the ending of one professional journey and the anticipation of what might come next.
Or the seasonal change I am currently experiencing may be a season of life, as a woman of a particular age, where my body is starting to change in ways I haven’t experienced before…and am thus far not enjoying.
Whatever the case, I am thinking a lot about seasons at the moment.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the past week asleep or laying down due to some health challenges. I am someone who has a very high tolerance for pain, so when I landed at the local hospital last week, you know I was in a really bad way. I was sent home with pain relief that caused it’s own series of issues, and so I am now trying a different approach. While I am not as bad as I was, the pain is real and I am hoping some tests this week might get closer to an answer. Physical pain is not akin to creative thinking for me, so I am really suffering twice because I do not have the energy to read or write in my commonplace book, play with my gorgeous fountain pens or much else. My brain is running in hyperdrive but I am just not able to get myself there.
Reading these
The most I have managed is, thankfully, being able to read some great essays on Substack.
There’s these two gems from
:
This one from the gorgeous
:
Substack Leaderboards
I’m just going to put this out there: I don’t have a clue about what a Leaderboard is and I don’t care much either. I’m assuming it’s the pages that have the most subscribers. Nice for those who are on there, I suppose, but not something that attracts my attention. I actually wish I could not have them on my topic pages. I am not here for popularity contests - I just want to read a wide range of work.
What comes next?
Once we move, I will need to have a real think about what comes next for me. I’ve considered looking for part time work so I can do some study - I’d like to do something in editing and publishing, but I also think maybe I’m just avoiding….something….
That hasn’t stopped me from applying for a couple of courses to start later this year. I can always decide not to do it. One is online and one would require me to be in Sydney one day a week. Sometimes I think I am crazy to want to formalise more skills but part of me feels like getting someof these skills under my best might be what will give me the financial freedom to be self-employed doing work that means something to me.
Much of how I am feeling is the lack of direction I have had, as a result of burnout. The things that bring me joy in life are not the things that pay my mortgage. I’d love to be able to have some balance on that front.
I’m also keen to write more, but like so many, imposter syndrome is real and I need to develop some confidence that I am allowed to write for the sake of it. I’m also looking forward to setting up a new creative space so I can get back to some weaving and some painting. It’s always when I cannot do these things, I crave them most. Isn’t that always the way?
Listening to
I was pretty excited to discover that Mumford and Sons have released a new album, called Rushmere. I love this band and whenever I hear their song Babel, I feel like taking up arms and marching toward glory, all Braveheart-esque.
A new single from Lord Huron - another great band my sister Jessica got me on to.
I’ve also introduced the Buy Me a Coffee option for those who’d like to make a one off contribution to my work here. You can choose your donation - anything is appreciated as it gives me encouragement to keep going. You can click here or use the QR code.
Thankyou for reading and for being curious with me. I’d love to hear from you!
Big love,
