It’s so true! It took me entirely too long to realize that the pain was mostly self-inflicted. It’s a completely human thing to do, but also within our power to change.
Thank you for sharing about your experiences handling the crevasse between our work place personas and our creative personas. I feel all this intensely. Like you, I also notice that people connected to my work life respond positively when I share about my creative projects. I do keep the two separate. I need something for me that I have total control over.
Incidentally, and this also resonated with me, I have also been laying low for a bit. Life outside this bubble demands so much energy and time, that I'm having to press pause on this (unpaid) part of my life. Today is the first day in close to two weeks that I've sat down to write.
You're not alone. We're not alone. Always enjoy reading your thoughts, and glad you're back! And - it's OK to be away. In fact, I think it's necessary.
Yes, Minna! I couldn't agree more that it's OK and necessary to be away. I think I had a hard time with that for awhile because I see my job as something I do, but a writer is something I AM--so I whenever I struggle to write, I feel strange, like I'm losing part of myself. But Trilety is right. We don't cease to be what we are just because we have to shift gears for awhile. I am glad you are getting back to writing, too!
I'm very glad to see you, via your words, again, Samantha. Trilety was not the only one who noted your absence, and it is so very good that she pinged you, that was wonderful. A knock on the door is followed by it's opening. It is good to read that you're living and feeling less partitioned, and more whole.
So good to see you back here, Edward!! I love your wording here: “A knock on the door is followed by its opening”...the world is full of goodness and possibilities if we remember to let them in. I hope all has been well with you. 🙂
Sam, you're such an inspiration and I am so happy you're back writing and that you are also choosing to let your true self shine through in everything you do. Thank you for sharing even when times get tough, it helps more than you could know!
So honored. And what serendipity that your boss and I said similar things, and how cool that you were listening. . .I wonder all that I've missed by not listening. But the coolest part is that you are finding truth and comfort in revealing who you are in more aspects of your life!
I like to think it was a sort of synchronicity that you both said similar things in different ways! I was getting a clear message from the universe. :)
It's great to see your posts land in my inbox again Samantha! I also struggle with headspace to write these things, even as much as I love doing it. Really excited to read even more of your dispatches. :-)
Tom, I just read your piece about Capri and am so envious! That's going on the bucket list, even if only for the funny people watching...hope you've been well :)
Woww, this resonated with me so much ♥️ I am considering going back to work after a year of sabbatical/unemployment, and I can relate to everything you mentioned in this post - I, too, have tended to wear an “executive mask” at work and wonder how/if I can keep nurturing my creative side. It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone, and I love the heartwarming friendship and sage advice from Trilety 💕
So glad this resonated, Yuelian! You are absolutely not alone. I’m not sure what your professional field is like, but what I’ve found interesting in mine is that the more I open up/show myself to others, the more I think they feel comfortable doing the same, and it leads to better working relationships. It’s a pleasant cascading effect. Sending good vibes and strength to help you remain true to your creative side, whichever path you choose. ❤️
I was so happy to see you back in my inbox this morning! I'm glad you received such a sage advise from both Trilety and your boss. Every other week of publishing sounds like a good plan. Thanks for sharing the cherry, colorful photo of the pencils!
So good to hear from you, Vicky! I hope you’ve been well! I’ve been wanting to tell you I started oil painting...I can’t produce anything like your beautiful pastels yet, but I’m finding it so satisfying and calming.
There you are! So glad to see you back, Sam! Congratulations on the job and the decision to post twice a month. I’ve not been posting the last week of every month since the new year -- may have seen when I write ‘the next Friday edition will be on...’ at the end of some posts -- for right now, at least, I need a week to regroup, to not feel like I’m churning out stuff, I want what I offer to be good! (for readers and enjoyable for me!) Reassessing is a strong thing to do -- not a failure :)
It’s so funny that you are in a similar boat right now, Jolene! Writing quickly ceases to be enjoyable when you feel like you have to churn stuff out...I’ve felt like I’m wringing a dry rag lately. But the beauty of this platform is we can always pivot, iterate, and do what’s right for us at the time. And you are so right--reassessing and scaling back takes strength and self-awareness. Cheers to quality over quantity!! ❤️
Feb 17, 2023·edited Feb 17, 2023Liked by Samantha Childress
Welcome back and congratulations on the new job! I work full time, too. It's not easy to write anything that makes the slightest sense when the tank is almost empty. Monthly and sometimes bimonthly works for me, take your time to test these new waters ❤️ Best of luck!!
Chasing prestige, or status, is the most naturally human thing to do. It’s also what brings much of our suffering.
It’s so true! It took me entirely too long to realize that the pain was mostly self-inflicted. It’s a completely human thing to do, but also within our power to change.
Thank you for sharing about your experiences handling the crevasse between our work place personas and our creative personas. I feel all this intensely. Like you, I also notice that people connected to my work life respond positively when I share about my creative projects. I do keep the two separate. I need something for me that I have total control over.
Incidentally, and this also resonated with me, I have also been laying low for a bit. Life outside this bubble demands so much energy and time, that I'm having to press pause on this (unpaid) part of my life. Today is the first day in close to two weeks that I've sat down to write.
You're not alone. We're not alone. Always enjoy reading your thoughts, and glad you're back! And - it's OK to be away. In fact, I think it's necessary.
Yes, Minna! I couldn't agree more that it's OK and necessary to be away. I think I had a hard time with that for awhile because I see my job as something I do, but a writer is something I AM--so I whenever I struggle to write, I feel strange, like I'm losing part of myself. But Trilety is right. We don't cease to be what we are just because we have to shift gears for awhile. I am glad you are getting back to writing, too!
I'm very glad to see you, via your words, again, Samantha. Trilety was not the only one who noted your absence, and it is so very good that she pinged you, that was wonderful. A knock on the door is followed by it's opening. It is good to read that you're living and feeling less partitioned, and more whole.
So good to see you back here, Edward!! I love your wording here: “A knock on the door is followed by its opening”...the world is full of goodness and possibilities if we remember to let them in. I hope all has been well with you. 🙂
Sam, you're such an inspiration and I am so happy you're back writing and that you are also choosing to let your true self shine through in everything you do. Thank you for sharing even when times get tough, it helps more than you could know!
🤗 thank you, Emily! I have been LIVING for your updates from Abydos, btw. Can’t wait to hear all about it person soon!!
So honored. And what serendipity that your boss and I said similar things, and how cool that you were listening. . .I wonder all that I've missed by not listening. But the coolest part is that you are finding truth and comfort in revealing who you are in more aspects of your life!
I like to think it was a sort of synchronicity that you both said similar things in different ways! I was getting a clear message from the universe. :)
It's great to see your posts land in my inbox again Samantha! I also struggle with headspace to write these things, even as much as I love doing it. Really excited to read even more of your dispatches. :-)
Tom, I just read your piece about Capri and am so envious! That's going on the bucket list, even if only for the funny people watching...hope you've been well :)
Thanks so much! Highly recommend visiting :-)
All good here thanks! Hope you're doing well!
Woww, this resonated with me so much ♥️ I am considering going back to work after a year of sabbatical/unemployment, and I can relate to everything you mentioned in this post - I, too, have tended to wear an “executive mask” at work and wonder how/if I can keep nurturing my creative side. It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone, and I love the heartwarming friendship and sage advice from Trilety 💕
So glad this resonated, Yuelian! You are absolutely not alone. I’m not sure what your professional field is like, but what I’ve found interesting in mine is that the more I open up/show myself to others, the more I think they feel comfortable doing the same, and it leads to better working relationships. It’s a pleasant cascading effect. Sending good vibes and strength to help you remain true to your creative side, whichever path you choose. ❤️
Great to see you back! Love your boss’ thoughts on whole self because it’s so so true.
Good to hear from you, Stephanie! And glad to see you’ve been keeping up your Substack! Can’t wait to catch up on your writing.
I was so happy to see you back in my inbox this morning! I'm glad you received such a sage advise from both Trilety and your boss. Every other week of publishing sounds like a good plan. Thanks for sharing the cherry, colorful photo of the pencils!
So good to hear from you, Vicky! I hope you’ve been well! I’ve been wanting to tell you I started oil painting...I can’t produce anything like your beautiful pastels yet, but I’m finding it so satisfying and calming.
That's wonderful Sam. I'm sure your paintings are lovely, and I'm so glad that you find it calming.
There you are! So glad to see you back, Sam! Congratulations on the job and the decision to post twice a month. I’ve not been posting the last week of every month since the new year -- may have seen when I write ‘the next Friday edition will be on...’ at the end of some posts -- for right now, at least, I need a week to regroup, to not feel like I’m churning out stuff, I want what I offer to be good! (for readers and enjoyable for me!) Reassessing is a strong thing to do -- not a failure :)
It’s so funny that you are in a similar boat right now, Jolene! Writing quickly ceases to be enjoyable when you feel like you have to churn stuff out...I’ve felt like I’m wringing a dry rag lately. But the beauty of this platform is we can always pivot, iterate, and do what’s right for us at the time. And you are so right--reassessing and scaling back takes strength and self-awareness. Cheers to quality over quantity!! ❤️
Cheers, Sam! 🥂❤️
Welcome back and congratulations on the new job! I work full time, too. It's not easy to write anything that makes the slightest sense when the tank is almost empty. Monthly and sometimes bimonthly works for me, take your time to test these new waters ❤️ Best of luck!!
Thank you, Sinù! You are so right to take it slow and steady. Hope all is well with you ❤️
Hope you have been well, Harold! I’ve missed chatting with you and other readers...it’s good to be back.