This might sound a tad silly but attending the eras tour forever changed how I view my old art — I used to cringe and recoil in horror, but now I am learning to look back in fondness and even celebrate that work for what it was (and who I was) at the time ❤️
Not silly at all—shes giving us all permission to be our whole selves with no history redacted! I wish I could have had this tour experience for myself!
Such a helpful and thoughtful piece, thank you! I’m working on a book but I’m mortified at having to pin things down on a page! Your post has allowed a little grace to enter in, and even excitement for my own becoming 🙏
In this era of estrangement and separation it’s tempting to separate from the earlier me and the things she created, too. So utterly relatable. Yet there is beauty and peace in letting her words stand, while allowing today’s self to be and flow and create in ways the older self wouldn’t have dared or recognize as possibilities. I find the integration piece happening a lot recently for me as I reconnect with people and places from long ago, but find my response to them, and the emotions that used to rise in me subdued and so much kinder to me and others than my past angsty self. Thank you for this!
Thank you. This resonated with me because I do this all the time - checking and reworking drafts. It's looking back with a cringe, and I hear myself saying: "How did I write that?" Then I think about how far I have come as a writer and look at my old writing as "not there yet," instead of "bad." Every writer has a journey, and thanks to my early work, I am now the author that I have become.
This is such a timely message for me. I've been struggling to find my voice again after a divorce, after this year in our world, after all the dissonance. This helps me think about things differently and to give the younger version of myself (even just the last year version) so much compassion. She knew what she knew.
this is vital. i've been combing through my old journals and even training notebooks for teaching, and there is gold in there... class themes, even potential courses, all there for me to receive from my past self. perfect timing, Stephanie. thank you.
So glad this met you at just the right time. Oh there are some past selves I’d cross the street to miss—but then again, proof we are not static, proof we can keep changing, thank goodness! Sigh of relief.
I just recently went back and read my old blog and started editing and then stopped. I was like I cannot rewrite the entire past blog…absolutely loved this post!
This might sound a tad silly but attending the eras tour forever changed how I view my old art — I used to cringe and recoil in horror, but now I am learning to look back in fondness and even celebrate that work for what it was (and who I was) at the time ❤️
Not silly at all—shes giving us all permission to be our whole selves with no history redacted! I wish I could have had this tour experience for myself!
Such a helpful and thoughtful piece, thank you! I’m working on a book but I’m mortified at having to pin things down on a page! Your post has allowed a little grace to enter in, and even excitement for my own becoming 🙏
This is not easy! Celebrating you for staying in it, even when it’s hard ♥️
In this era of estrangement and separation it’s tempting to separate from the earlier me and the things she created, too. So utterly relatable. Yet there is beauty and peace in letting her words stand, while allowing today’s self to be and flow and create in ways the older self wouldn’t have dared or recognize as possibilities. I find the integration piece happening a lot recently for me as I reconnect with people and places from long ago, but find my response to them, and the emotions that used to rise in me subdued and so much kinder to me and others than my past angsty self. Thank you for this!
Witnessing with you the exhale of freedom that can happen when we let it be and let it go. Celebrating you in this profound work!
Thank you. This resonated with me because I do this all the time - checking and reworking drafts. It's looking back with a cringe, and I hear myself saying: "How did I write that?" Then I think about how far I have come as a writer and look at my old writing as "not there yet," instead of "bad." Every writer has a journey, and thanks to my early work, I am now the author that I have become.
So much truth and freedom in this—we’re on our way, always!
Thank you so much for this beautiful and tender essay and the reminder to give ourselves permission to change. Hit me right in the heart!
This is NOT EASY! I want to shake past me by the shoulders so much 😆
This is such a timely message for me. I've been struggling to find my voice again after a divorce, after this year in our world, after all the dissonance. This helps me think about things differently and to give the younger version of myself (even just the last year version) so much compassion. She knew what she knew.
I can only imagine what profound work you are in right now. I see your wise mind at work, and have all respect for her—past and present!
Beautiful reflection. 🙏🏼and thank goodness for renewal and shoulder length hair 💇
AMEN, sister!
this is vital. i've been combing through my old journals and even training notebooks for teaching, and there is gold in there... class themes, even potential courses, all there for me to receive from my past self. perfect timing, Stephanie. thank you.
So glad this met you at just the right time. Oh there are some past selves I’d cross the street to miss—but then again, proof we are not static, proof we can keep changing, thank goodness! Sigh of relief.
I just recently went back and read my old blog and started editing and then stopped. I was like I cannot rewrite the entire past blog…absolutely loved this post!
Wisdom at work!