I don't do spontaneous, but here I am
Thank goodness spring is here
I don’t do last minute, but here I am, two hours from deadline [is it truly a deadline if it’s self-imposed?]. Possibly not.
Whether it is, or isn’t, my tardiness this week is cause for celebration. Why? Because as a person who enjoys exploring her experiences on paper, I’m also prone, on occasion, to overthinking life, rather than living it [yes, yes - I know. Me an overthinker? It’s hard to believe].
But not this week. The spontaneous, life-grabbing part of me seems to be rising from her winter hibernation.
On Wednesday I dropped my son at football practice at 7.30am, then found myself in that glorious swimming pool pictured above. Wednesdays are the days I keep free for writing. After the early-morning drop off, I usually head straight home to write to you [I do like a schedule].
The decision to swim wasn’t entirely impulsive. I didn’t kiss James goodbye and declare ‘sod it! Where’s my bikini?’ I’d booked my guest spot at this members-only piece of heaven seven days prior, as I hankered for a drop of spring/summer magic.
That was the spontaneous bit. Perhaps when we’re busy taking care of others/in mid-life/enjoy a schedule, planning such things, in advance, is the equivalent of unplanned nights out straight from work in our early twenties. And it did feel particularly sweet allowing myself that swim mid-week.
Not even the weather could ruin my mood [why does swimming in the rain feel so utterly liberating?] After thirty minutes of breaststroke, I’d worked up a hunger, and enjoyed what was quite possibly the best bacon sandwich I’ve ever encountered, washed down with a pot of Earl Grey.
On arriving home, my husband was where he has been most of this week, languishing on the sofa [#manflu]. And not even that p*ssed me off, which was another first.
Thank goodness spring is here. In all the ways.
What else I’m feeling grateful for/nourished by
Without behind the scenes support of good friends, I would have likely given up on this project some months ago when I hit a particularly vile patch of creative resistance. One them is Laura Gates Lupton. She’s a professional editor, writer, financial feminist, and women’s liberation coach, and a member of the LGBTQIA community.
She’s a bold, compassionate, honest voice, cutting through the noise with gentle persistence. Her weekly Monday Money Missives are gold and have helped me make a number of empowering money-related decisions, that without her wisdom, I would have shied away from. She also hosts a weekly Content Creation Circle where she gathers with other entrepreneurs each Friday. [Given we’re half-way through the current season, the code HALFWAY reduces the usual investment by 50%.]
This week I pre-ordered Growth: A Mother, Her Son and the Brain Tumor They Survived, a memoir by Karen DeBonis. Karen and I met via a mutual contact, and I’m so glad we did. Her generosity and willingness to share her journey as a writer has enlivened me in recent weeks. I particularly enjoyed an article she wrote last year: From Non-Writer To Published Author in Twenty Short Years. May her memoir touch many lives. It comes out at the start of May.
Anticipating a mid-week night out next week as me and my husband join Choir! Choir! Choir! as they visit the UK from Toronto [subject to hubby making a full recovery. Sigh]. Spontaneously booked months ago, I’d never heard of them until a flyer for their Oxford gig landed in my inbox. I may not have a good enough voice to pass the audition for the posh choir in my home town, but everyone’s welcome at these events. This is my favourite video of them working their magic. Cohen’s Hallelujah. Pure joy.
Thank you for your company here. I’m wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
With love,
Claire
Find me elsewhere:
Instagram: @clairemackinnonwrites
Website: clairemackinnon.com
LinkedIn: Claire Mackinnon
Love this! Nothing better than some spontaneous (or not!) me time. And an important act of self care when you give to so many others as you do Claire #fillyourcup