Hi, I’m late to this party. I also missed your Zoom event but I do like to share so here goes. I am so glad you are who you are at 37. Sometimes the journey really sucks scissors but if you can find it inside yourself to hang in there, it can be very worth it. I sometimes tell people I meet that I love life, I just don’t always love my version of it.
I’m kind of your photographic “negative” (not in a bad way…it’s a reference to photos shot on film). I am 73 and entering my final chapter. What a ride it has been and now going into old age, it is so fascinating learning about my body and mind and how they change when you age. Your comment about maybe the dead girl isn’t so dead after all resonated with me. I have been mentally ill all my life, not psychotic or hallucinatory but I have been in and out of therapy for 60 years. In my old age I have also come to realize I am most likely on the autism spectrum and I realize that part of me has really helped the mentally ill part of me have a life.
Anyway, I use visual metaphors a lot to help me understand how my brain works. All the previous iterations of me still live within me and I interact with and support them whenever they need me. I can reassure them that we are OK cuz we’ve made it this far. Who knows how far we can go over the next 26 and a half years. I know that sounds specific but a previous iteration of me used to tell people my ambition was to have two lives of 50 years instead of one life of 100 years. I made a major life change in my 50s and that’s how I evolved into that way of thinking. So yes, Kate, the girl you thought was dead is still within you (to my way of thinking) and sometimes she is cheering you on but sometimes she might need reassurance from the you at 37. When it happens to me sometimes I get scared and think I’m backsliding but then the 73 yo me can reassure myself and all my iterations that we are OK.
I love that your words allow me to see myself in a different light. I really needed that change. I feel a breakthrough coming in 2025. Let's gooooo!!!💜💜💜
You survived!!! I love this gift of a post--of your joy and realness. Thank you, thank you for healing out loud. The world needs to see this happening.
I love this — "Life is not one thing. It is the messy magic of coexistence and duality. It is all the colors, and only when we express them, honor them, and hold kind space for them do we build a world where we all belong — together." I have written it in my notebook to keep and share, thank you!
Curious to read your story
THANK YOU KATE <3 thank you.
Such joy!
Hi, I’m late to this party. I also missed your Zoom event but I do like to share so here goes. I am so glad you are who you are at 37. Sometimes the journey really sucks scissors but if you can find it inside yourself to hang in there, it can be very worth it. I sometimes tell people I meet that I love life, I just don’t always love my version of it.
I’m kind of your photographic “negative” (not in a bad way…it’s a reference to photos shot on film). I am 73 and entering my final chapter. What a ride it has been and now going into old age, it is so fascinating learning about my body and mind and how they change when you age. Your comment about maybe the dead girl isn’t so dead after all resonated with me. I have been mentally ill all my life, not psychotic or hallucinatory but I have been in and out of therapy for 60 years. In my old age I have also come to realize I am most likely on the autism spectrum and I realize that part of me has really helped the mentally ill part of me have a life.
Anyway, I use visual metaphors a lot to help me understand how my brain works. All the previous iterations of me still live within me and I interact with and support them whenever they need me. I can reassure them that we are OK cuz we’ve made it this far. Who knows how far we can go over the next 26 and a half years. I know that sounds specific but a previous iteration of me used to tell people my ambition was to have two lives of 50 years instead of one life of 100 years. I made a major life change in my 50s and that’s how I evolved into that way of thinking. So yes, Kate, the girl you thought was dead is still within you (to my way of thinking) and sometimes she is cheering you on but sometimes she might need reassurance from the you at 37. When it happens to me sometimes I get scared and think I’m backsliding but then the 73 yo me can reassure myself and all my iterations that we are OK.
Ahhhh I can feel the joy that you felt in that time! How very special it is to get to help a friend and to have a friend to help! 💜💜💜💜~~
I am SO HAPPY to hear about your joyous experience this week. The more light we share, the brighter the world becomes 💜
I love that your words allow me to see myself in a different light. I really needed that change. I feel a breakthrough coming in 2025. Let's gooooo!!!💜💜💜
You survived!!! I love this gift of a post--of your joy and realness. Thank you, thank you for healing out loud. The world needs to see this happening.
Great read, and to get to the end and find out there’s another doggo - hurrah!
I so relate to being a living exclamation point when I feel anything but. 💜
Sharing your joy, creates more joy 💜💜💜
So beautiful to read and feel your joy - both in the first half of your note, and the second. <3
Loving the joy and living your evolutions with you! Thank you for showing us how to keep showing up.
I love this — "Life is not one thing. It is the messy magic of coexistence and duality. It is all the colors, and only when we express them, honor them, and hold kind space for them do we build a world where we all belong — together." I have written it in my notebook to keep and share, thank you!
I loved this too! It was truly a gorgeous piece of writing that captured the beauty of life!
I think I may get my notebook out as well!
As Kate would say, “have a day!” 😊
Dr Waffle back in business!!
Life is always a mix of dark and light at the same time, but I have to believe that joy always, ultimately wins. Survival is joy.