Count your blessings
Hello dear friends, and Happy Thanksgiving Canada!
It'e the time of year that lends itself to reflection, and I've been doing lots of that lately. My husband was away for 2.5 weeks to visit his mom in Germany (and also explore Crete for a week, lucky bugger), and I wrote this on the day of his return. My husband is by far the biggest blessing and greatest gift of my life, and I'm grateful for him every day.
I haven't been able to put my thoughts about 2019 into words just yet. In fact, I haven't been able to put many things into words, because I've experienced one of the worst writing blocks I've ever had. I finally seem to get out of it (seeing as I write this newsletter!), and I'm so relieved I could cry. Not being able to express myself and put down my chaotic thoughts on paper/screen makes me feel like I'm not complete. It leaves me restless, disturbed and unhappy, and no matter how much I try to distract myself with reading, Netflix or keeping myself busy, an essential part of me is missing.
I think part of the reason that I was blocked is that I'm about to embark upon a new, scary project: writing my first fiction book! I have an idea, but I can't seem to find the courage to get started. I'm terrified that I'm gonna fail, and that I will have to admit to myself that I'm not a "real" writer but a fraud.
My old enemy Imposter Syndrome is alive and kicking, and fighting it seems to turn into a lifelong project.
But! I'm emerging on the other side of the darkness, and I guess the old IP (=Imposter Syndrome) is keeping me humble.
On a more positive note, I'd like to share some stuff that's been making me happy lately:
The Financial Diet Instagram account. Their motto is "Live better with what you have", which aligns perfectly with my believes, and they offer great advice, uplifting quotes and life-affirming tidbits that make me smile every time I read them.
I have a new website! It's my professional author website that I created spontaneously one evening when I felt reckless after having thought about it for close to 2 years. I used GoDaddy to build it, and I'm really pleased with the result.
I got interviewed! I talked to NF Reads about my books, the writing process, and some weird stuff about myself.
My niece Larissa stayed with us for 2 weeks last month, and we had a spectacularly fantastic time together. Needless to say I had to create a video to remember our time together, you can see it here. Such good memories!
My Autumn Pinterest board is giving me all the cozy fall feelings.
I've been doing some light online shopping (fall shopping is a longstanding tradition of mine), and this dress is everything a fall dress should be: cozy, soft, with a fun print and those fabulous Bishop sleeves. The dress is so irresistible that the waitress at breakfast yesterday stopped and touched to check "if it's as soft as it looks". Yes, it is.
The best Halloween costume I have yet to make. But I will make it. One day.
Have a wonderful, spiced-cider filled weekend! Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians. I'm forever grateful that you welcomed me into your beautiful country.
Love,
Miriam
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Vol. 66