First, I enjoyed reading this blog thanks to your usage of paragraphs rather than lines and lines of single sentences. I'm not sure if the paragraphs are due to a lack of access to AI with your internet down but this writer and reader appreciated it. I hope you continue writing in this style. For me, it's a more enjoyable read to have time to build on your point, to create thoughts, to feel the rhythm. Second, on a press trip in Mexico a few years ago I was the only one who took advantage of the three-hour surf lesson. I, too, got up and actually surfed - something I'd never tried before. It was fun and I understood the "pull" of it once I was actually standing on top of waves riding them to shore. It never occured to me to be afraid but I realized later that the other writers on the trip were hesitant due to fear. I don't live a fear-driven life and struggle to relate to it. My purview is due to many factors but one that is sharable is the book, "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway." I recommend it frequently and highly. It's an old book but an absolute gem for anyone limited by fear and or who lives with learned fear-based behaviors. While you shared your hesitation to try due to swimming insecurities, you have a plan for next year, which is great. With your paragrahs I was able to read between the lines of you thinking, "Why not?" rather than "Why?" I'd love to see you go deeper with your writing by sharing more vulnerabilites, by posing the "why" questions (and answering them). My guess is you're not that far off from changing the name of your blog from "Leaving" a certain age to "Embracing" or "Welcoming" what comes next!
Exactly. It's usually an AI thing which favors short, punchy, highly scannable writing usually designed for phone scrollers rather than actual readers. But as an editor, you know what I mean when I say I love an actual paragraph where a thought has room to develop.
I hate to not do something if the only reason not to is that I'm afraid. My best example is my Last Lunch. I was contacted out of the blue by a woman named Erica Heller, who was putting together this anthology: ONE LAST LUNCH: A FINAL MEAL WITH THOSE WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO US. The idea was to write a lunch with someone you love who is now dead. She wanted me to write a lunch with my mother, who died when I was four.
I said yes, then didn't do it for six months because I was afraid of the emotional pain. She kept chasing me, and eventually I sat down to it for the reason above: I hated not doing it because I was afraid. And in fact, amazing delightful surprise: it wasn't emotionally grueling! It was genuinely healing and I felt that I'd got to know my mother better than I could have any other way. And I could comfort her, knowing that she must have been afraid of what would happen to me without her.
You probably don't need lessons...I do. Let's go surfing next summer after I spend a day with M&M! (Can you imagine if Shaun were our teacher? "Just stand up, Auntie!") ahahaha
Diane! I haven't surfed since I was 23. One time I stood up on a big board in San Onofre. Remember that beach? I would love to take a surf lesson with you. My brother, nephews and both of my kids surf rather well, so going with them would not be as fun.
Some other things I have done in the past few years, is got back on my snow skies after having both hips replaced. Yay! I can still do it!
I learned to paddle board, which is something I really want to do more. I originally did this in Bend, Oregon, and again a couple of weeks ago in Florida with Mark and his grandson.
My newest challenge is boxing. Now this is something I have always wanted to try... I was super scared and nervous to take the first step. When I finally started looking into it, I emailed a local boxing gym. I Immediately got a response as to what type of class I was interested in taking - group or individual. I responded with a group class, but here are my restrictions: I'm 66, I've had both hips replaced and can't jump, but would this be a good fit? Crickets. I was completely ghosted. This did not help my confidence at all.
Then I remembered there was a flyer that was put on my windshield about three free classes at another boxing gym. I was so nervous to walk in, I made my husband go with me. The manager was so welcoming, and showed us around, made me feel welcome, and when I mentioned my restrictions all he said was "they won't change the classes around you; you have to change how you do the classes." Oh. That's easy!
So I went. A group boxing class. It was an amazing workout, but I was really intimidated. There was so much to learn: combinations, wrapping my hands, how to stand, how to hit....... but I kept going. I would actually get anxious and nervous walking in for the classes. But I was determined to keep at it - so much so I signed up with a personal trainer twice a month for 30 minutes of 1:1 instruction. Things are finally sinking in.
I LOVE this new sport! It challenges me physically and mentally. The music is loud, there are so many different people from all walks of life who come to the classes. This has been a huge challenge for me this year. It's been 7 months, and I don't ever see myself slowing down.
One more thing I want to learn to do is scuba diving.
First, I enjoyed reading this blog thanks to your usage of paragraphs rather than lines and lines of single sentences. I'm not sure if the paragraphs are due to a lack of access to AI with your internet down but this writer and reader appreciated it. I hope you continue writing in this style. For me, it's a more enjoyable read to have time to build on your point, to create thoughts, to feel the rhythm. Second, on a press trip in Mexico a few years ago I was the only one who took advantage of the three-hour surf lesson. I, too, got up and actually surfed - something I'd never tried before. It was fun and I understood the "pull" of it once I was actually standing on top of waves riding them to shore. It never occured to me to be afraid but I realized later that the other writers on the trip were hesitant due to fear. I don't live a fear-driven life and struggle to relate to it. My purview is due to many factors but one that is sharable is the book, "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway." I recommend it frequently and highly. It's an old book but an absolute gem for anyone limited by fear and or who lives with learned fear-based behaviors. While you shared your hesitation to try due to swimming insecurities, you have a plan for next year, which is great. With your paragrahs I was able to read between the lines of you thinking, "Why not?" rather than "Why?" I'd love to see you go deeper with your writing by sharing more vulnerabilites, by posing the "why" questions (and answering them). My guess is you're not that far off from changing the name of your blog from "Leaving" a certain age to "Embracing" or "Welcoming" what comes next!
Haven, I so agree about the single-sentence paragraphs! They get awfully tiring to read.
Exactly. It's usually an AI thing which favors short, punchy, highly scannable writing usually designed for phone scrollers rather than actual readers. But as an editor, you know what I mean when I say I love an actual paragraph where a thought has room to develop.
You and me, Haven. Those single-sentence paras are really starting to drive me nuts.
Wow, feedback on my writing from two very talented writers and editors is an honor. Thank you...grateful! xo
Thank you so much for the feedback. What a gift. Thank you for taking the time; it is greatly appreciated. xo
I hate to not do something if the only reason not to is that I'm afraid. My best example is my Last Lunch. I was contacted out of the blue by a woman named Erica Heller, who was putting together this anthology: ONE LAST LUNCH: A FINAL MEAL WITH THOSE WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO US. The idea was to write a lunch with someone you love who is now dead. She wanted me to write a lunch with my mother, who died when I was four.
I said yes, then didn't do it for six months because I was afraid of the emotional pain. She kept chasing me, and eventually I sat down to it for the reason above: I hated not doing it because I was afraid. And in fact, amazing delightful surprise: it wasn't emotionally grueling! It was genuinely healing and I felt that I'd got to know my mother better than I could have any other way. And I could comfort her, knowing that she must have been afraid of what would happen to me without her.
I recorded it: you can listen, if you like, at https://youtu.be/ojDSYeYxuOk
I loved your last lunch post. I have an idea for a version of this for an upcoming post. Thank you for sharing in the comments. Hope you are well. xo
Let’s go!
You probably don't need lessons...I do. Let's go surfing next summer after I spend a day with M&M! (Can you imagine if Shaun were our teacher? "Just stand up, Auntie!") ahahaha
Diane! I haven't surfed since I was 23. One time I stood up on a big board in San Onofre. Remember that beach? I would love to take a surf lesson with you. My brother, nephews and both of my kids surf rather well, so going with them would not be as fun.
Some other things I have done in the past few years, is got back on my snow skies after having both hips replaced. Yay! I can still do it!
I learned to paddle board, which is something I really want to do more. I originally did this in Bend, Oregon, and again a couple of weeks ago in Florida with Mark and his grandson.
My newest challenge is boxing. Now this is something I have always wanted to try... I was super scared and nervous to take the first step. When I finally started looking into it, I emailed a local boxing gym. I Immediately got a response as to what type of class I was interested in taking - group or individual. I responded with a group class, but here are my restrictions: I'm 66, I've had both hips replaced and can't jump, but would this be a good fit? Crickets. I was completely ghosted. This did not help my confidence at all.
Then I remembered there was a flyer that was put on my windshield about three free classes at another boxing gym. I was so nervous to walk in, I made my husband go with me. The manager was so welcoming, and showed us around, made me feel welcome, and when I mentioned my restrictions all he said was "they won't change the classes around you; you have to change how you do the classes." Oh. That's easy!
So I went. A group boxing class. It was an amazing workout, but I was really intimidated. There was so much to learn: combinations, wrapping my hands, how to stand, how to hit....... but I kept going. I would actually get anxious and nervous walking in for the classes. But I was determined to keep at it - so much so I signed up with a personal trainer twice a month for 30 minutes of 1:1 instruction. Things are finally sinking in.
I LOVE this new sport! It challenges me physically and mentally. The music is loud, there are so many different people from all walks of life who come to the classes. This has been a huge challenge for me this year. It's been 7 months, and I don't ever see myself slowing down.
One more thing I want to learn to do is scuba diving.
I think that will be enough for now :)