Love the simply and depth this post packs a punch, and our wonderful Sinead honored at the end and how she's been inspiring you all along.... goes to show the power of symbolism
It can be hard working out what drives us, sometimes. Especially when those drives can be so powerful and compelling. Have you completed your PhD now? You must be close. I'm really looking forward to the first reading group and getting to know you and the other participants. It feels really special. Thank you so much for organising and leading it. 💕
That's it exactly 🫶 Yes, I finished my PhD way back in 2017. The Women of Ireland Project research isn't a PhD project (although it certainly feels like it 😊) more a passion project I started outside my 'proper' academic job as a qualitative researcher within the field of human behavioural science! I've always been a bit of a multi-passionate person so have a tendency to try and do lots of different things at once! Often (un)successfully🤣 So, delighted you're joining the reading group. Can't wait to chat in person xx
Ah... I misunderstood, I thought it was your PhD! The fact that it is a passion project makes it all the more valuable. I hope you seek publication when you are done writing it. 💕
When there’s no logical reason or clear ‘why’ it’s usually your soul work, which resist’s being reduced in that way. And the why is often besides the point when you are following your souls call that bids you with a compulsion (like you say). I love knowing this is the story behind your work Belinda. Makes it more inspired for us all to engage with.
Thank you Laure! ❤️ This, how you explain it, makes a lot of sense. It definitely feels like my souls work. It's always been more than just writing or researching! It feels very physical a lot of the time
Oooph Belinda, thank you for such clear-eyed wisdom and inspiration, I love how all those strands are converging towards Sinéad's words that were there all along. I'm also pondering my why, and knowing that it will reveal itself as I do what I feel compelled to do feels like a guiding light. Thank you.
Thank you Annette! Also always reassuring to know that we're not the only ones.... that sometimes you don't have to know your why.... just that you're doing what you feel you should be doing can be enough xx
I really love this Belinda, and I love your project and your ‘why’. I just submitted my PhD in creative writing, on archival women’s voices. I live in Newcastle, Australia, but have recently been connecting with my Irish heritage in a more conscious way - although it has always been present in my life, in my love of writing and poetry and women’s stories. My PhD project has allowed me to draw from that, and I have found amazing Irish women writing from the heart on Substack that fill me with a sense of belonging. You are one of those women, so all this is to say thank you, and I hope to be able to travel to Ireland in the next year and possibly connect in person.
Ahhhh Jodi..... thank you so much. This is such a lovely comment to receive and I'm so glad you've found my wee corner of Substack.... would be delighted to meet you in person if ever you're this side of the world.... I've also started a Raeding Group that begins on the 21st October (7pm UK time every sixth Monday), if you might like to connect with other women of Ireland, however I recognise the time difference might be a bit much! ❤️
Oh yes! 🧡
Love the simply and depth this post packs a punch, and our wonderful Sinead honored at the end and how she's been inspiring you all along.... goes to show the power of symbolism
What a beautiful 'why'. Thanks for sharing 💕
Thank you Clare 😊 xx
It can be hard working out what drives us, sometimes. Especially when those drives can be so powerful and compelling. Have you completed your PhD now? You must be close. I'm really looking forward to the first reading group and getting to know you and the other participants. It feels really special. Thank you so much for organising and leading it. 💕
That's it exactly 🫶 Yes, I finished my PhD way back in 2017. The Women of Ireland Project research isn't a PhD project (although it certainly feels like it 😊) more a passion project I started outside my 'proper' academic job as a qualitative researcher within the field of human behavioural science! I've always been a bit of a multi-passionate person so have a tendency to try and do lots of different things at once! Often (un)successfully🤣 So, delighted you're joining the reading group. Can't wait to chat in person xx
Ah... I misunderstood, I thought it was your PhD! The fact that it is a passion project makes it all the more valuable. I hope you seek publication when you are done writing it. 💕
Oh yes, it’s all to write a book and finding a publisher is something I’m actively working on :), although that’s been a whole new learning curve too!
I'm sure it has! Keep going, believe and manifest! 😃
When there’s no logical reason or clear ‘why’ it’s usually your soul work, which resist’s being reduced in that way. And the why is often besides the point when you are following your souls call that bids you with a compulsion (like you say). I love knowing this is the story behind your work Belinda. Makes it more inspired for us all to engage with.
Thank you Laure! ❤️ This, how you explain it, makes a lot of sense. It definitely feels like my souls work. It's always been more than just writing or researching! It feels very physical a lot of the time
Oooph Belinda, thank you for such clear-eyed wisdom and inspiration, I love how all those strands are converging towards Sinéad's words that were there all along. I'm also pondering my why, and knowing that it will reveal itself as I do what I feel compelled to do feels like a guiding light. Thank you.
Thank you Annette! Also always reassuring to know that we're not the only ones.... that sometimes you don't have to know your why.... just that you're doing what you feel you should be doing can be enough xx
I really love this Belinda, and I love your project and your ‘why’. I just submitted my PhD in creative writing, on archival women’s voices. I live in Newcastle, Australia, but have recently been connecting with my Irish heritage in a more conscious way - although it has always been present in my life, in my love of writing and poetry and women’s stories. My PhD project has allowed me to draw from that, and I have found amazing Irish women writing from the heart on Substack that fill me with a sense of belonging. You are one of those women, so all this is to say thank you, and I hope to be able to travel to Ireland in the next year and possibly connect in person.
Ahhhh Jodi..... thank you so much. This is such a lovely comment to receive and I'm so glad you've found my wee corner of Substack.... would be delighted to meet you in person if ever you're this side of the world.... I've also started a Raeding Group that begins on the 21st October (7pm UK time every sixth Monday), if you might like to connect with other women of Ireland, however I recognise the time difference might be a bit much! ❤️
Thank you Belinda, I’ll definitely keep that in mind xx