Love this, Serena. Interestingly, I separated (and divorced) my first husband after eleven years together. Talk about permission. I went to a shrink after that because I went around crying happy tears about silly things: butterflies flying in front of my face; sunsets burning the horizon; tripping over my own feet in a lush field; or when I tasted that first smooth sip of a good wine. I thought, “This can’t be normal. Shouldn’t I be upset? Maybe I should talk to someone.” No shit. But the body never lies. Just took a good damn while for me to hear her. I wish you so many tears of joy in this next chapter. No permission necessary. ❤️
Timely for me as well, especially as I think about what I want in terms of dating (or not at all) post divorce. Interesting to think of self reliance and interdependence as being complementary instead of at odds.
Dude, you may have just nailed the crux of my beef with relationships: the default assumption that self-reliance and interdependence are at odds! I believe they are not just complementary, but critical to the health of everything and everyone.
This is a confusing website. Anyway, hope you get this- I love your writing and your topics always get me thinking about my own experience. I’ve always resented having to ask permission…it’s been a definite imperfection that has sculpted my life and relationships. I definitely love living alone and having most of my time taken up by my own choices. I’m not talented in feeling good about compromising all the time. I’m into gratitude and experiencing flickers of joy. Rusty the wonder dog helps me embrace that. Friends too. Family and people I wave to in Island Market, too.
hearts for you, and thank you for articulating what i so often don't give myself permission to do - or i do those things ("nothing") without being generous to myself about it. big hugs
I have been missing your posts. Appreciating your movement and awareness.
Thanks Finn! Sometime you look up and somehow few months have passed?
Absolutely- I’ve been thinking that since last year!
Love this, Serena. Interestingly, I separated (and divorced) my first husband after eleven years together. Talk about permission. I went to a shrink after that because I went around crying happy tears about silly things: butterflies flying in front of my face; sunsets burning the horizon; tripping over my own feet in a lush field; or when I tasted that first smooth sip of a good wine. I thought, “This can’t be normal. Shouldn’t I be upset? Maybe I should talk to someone.” No shit. But the body never lies. Just took a good damn while for me to hear her. I wish you so many tears of joy in this next chapter. No permission necessary. ❤️
Auspicious! Or something. What even is normal, amiright.
Timely for me as well, especially as I think about what I want in terms of dating (or not at all) post divorce. Interesting to think of self reliance and interdependence as being complementary instead of at odds.
Dude, you may have just nailed the crux of my beef with relationships: the default assumption that self-reliance and interdependence are at odds! I believe they are not just complementary, but critical to the health of everything and everyone.
This is a confusing website. Anyway, hope you get this- I love your writing and your topics always get me thinking about my own experience. I’ve always resented having to ask permission…it’s been a definite imperfection that has sculpted my life and relationships. I definitely love living alone and having most of my time taken up by my own choices. I’m not talented in feeling good about compromising all the time. I’m into gratitude and experiencing flickers of joy. Rusty the wonder dog helps me embrace that. Friends too. Family and people I wave to in Island Market, too.
Keep writing - I love you. Sp
I'm loving your take on permission (and your sign!). Glad to see you're creating these boundaries in your new life. 🧡
hearts for you, and thank you for articulating what i so often don't give myself permission to do - or i do those things ("nothing") without being generous to myself about it. big hugs
I love this sooo much
Perfect timing for a newly retired gal trying to observe my new relationship with time - with curiosity rather than judgement ❤️
book rec: Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell