As always this is the nourishing, grounding, healing balm to my soul which I inevitably look forward to each time, from reading your work.
It's too easy to just out the work out and hide behind the wisdom, using it like a shield.... I speak from personal experience... and less easy, sometimes (more especially at the start), to break the mold, go rogue, take a chance and simply show up as the person behind the writing.... so I admire, love, and appreciate you breaking the mold and sharing more of the women behind the women of Ireland Project....
I also adore that you own and claim the fact you were never that much into Womens History... how bold and daring too! Ad a woman of Ireland I've never (before reading YOUR work) was too interested either.... perhaps because it was all about men, and me being a woman, never noticed that's why... I had nothing to relate to ... but I never knew that's what it was.... the lack of women's stories and voices...
You sharing your humanness and being so honest about where you're starting from... only compels me more to read and learn.... it makes me feel like 'Well if she can do it, then maybe it's not too late'.....
I've also had a nudge to (perhaps) write a book that I have SOOOO little 'right' to write.... because its a huge subject, much bigger than me, and is scary.... Yet, reading this... knowing your experience .. somehow gives me courage... and in many ways, has helped me feel I have a right to stand here too, in this space of unknowing to knowing
So.... thank you for sharing your pause and I look forward to more of your incredible work, but also even more to learning about the writer behind the words of wisdom - Thank You!
Damn that imposter syndrome... is it a female thing, I wonder. The only people I ever see admitting to it are women. Including me. Although I did my bachelors snd Masters recently as a (very) mature student, it has made me even more aware that there is so much I don't know. I am literally an expert in nothing at all! 🤣 Anyway, this is to say, I understand how you feel. And as I am also most definitely not a creature of habit myself, I know how hard building even positive habits can be, and how constraining they feel. So please feel proud of what you have achieved. Your book is growing and taking shape. And you have found a system that works for you. Well done! Celebrate every victory, no matter how small it might seem to you. And I look forward to reading your book in the not too distant future! 💕
Also, if you are in travelling distance of Loughcrew, would you consider answering Grandma's Call at Lughnasadh, if you are available? It would be lovely to meet you. 😊
Thanks Ali., as always for the support and cheering on :) :) Yes, Imposter syndrome is a terrible beast, and hard to keep quiet! Maybe it is a woman thing but I imagine it is quite universal - but I've certainly noticed that women seem to be more cautious in putting themselves forward to do something. They'll often wait until they've gathered all the information they need or have enough knowledge at their disposal to feel 'legitimate' enough to do something.
I saw your post about Grandma's call and was really excited by it. It sounds like a really special and inclusive event. Unfortunately, there is a sea (the Irish sea) between me and it, as I live in England and will (fingers crossed) be in the middle of a house-move in August (moving to Wales this time!). Will hopefully be back home in Ireland for a few days in September though -- I'm from Wicklow, whereabouts are you based?
Hi Belinda, I didn't realise you lived in London! I live in Cavan, very close to Loughcrew, its only a 20 minute drive for me. All the best with the move to Wales, it's beautiful! I lived on the island of Anglesey for a while, had a very happy time there. I'm sure you'll love living there. 💕
That's fab Ali, thank you! It looks amazing, will definitely be there. I've a special connection and grá for Loughcrew, and the Cailleach, so I look forward to it 🙏
It seems very fitting to bring that vulnerable honest you when that is the core of the work you have gathered from women in this project. I look forward to reading your book. I imagine it takes courage to launch into something that you know little about but where passion is taking you. Your doing it though.
Thanks Jen :) Yes, I'm doing it -- or at least trying to on the daily!! When I think about how far away the completion of a book of any form feels, it feels like too big a task, so I just focus on showing up each day, trusting that, one day, when the time is right, that cumulative effort will have produced something I'm really happy with (fingers crossed)
As always this is the nourishing, grounding, healing balm to my soul which I inevitably look forward to each time, from reading your work.
It's too easy to just out the work out and hide behind the wisdom, using it like a shield.... I speak from personal experience... and less easy, sometimes (more especially at the start), to break the mold, go rogue, take a chance and simply show up as the person behind the writing.... so I admire, love, and appreciate you breaking the mold and sharing more of the women behind the women of Ireland Project....
I also adore that you own and claim the fact you were never that much into Womens History... how bold and daring too! Ad a woman of Ireland I've never (before reading YOUR work) was too interested either.... perhaps because it was all about men, and me being a woman, never noticed that's why... I had nothing to relate to ... but I never knew that's what it was.... the lack of women's stories and voices...
You sharing your humanness and being so honest about where you're starting from... only compels me more to read and learn.... it makes me feel like 'Well if she can do it, then maybe it's not too late'.....
I've also had a nudge to (perhaps) write a book that I have SOOOO little 'right' to write.... because its a huge subject, much bigger than me, and is scary.... Yet, reading this... knowing your experience .. somehow gives me courage... and in many ways, has helped me feel I have a right to stand here too, in this space of unknowing to knowing
So.... thank you for sharing your pause and I look forward to more of your incredible work, but also even more to learning about the writer behind the words of wisdom - Thank You!
Damn that imposter syndrome... is it a female thing, I wonder. The only people I ever see admitting to it are women. Including me. Although I did my bachelors snd Masters recently as a (very) mature student, it has made me even more aware that there is so much I don't know. I am literally an expert in nothing at all! 🤣 Anyway, this is to say, I understand how you feel. And as I am also most definitely not a creature of habit myself, I know how hard building even positive habits can be, and how constraining they feel. So please feel proud of what you have achieved. Your book is growing and taking shape. And you have found a system that works for you. Well done! Celebrate every victory, no matter how small it might seem to you. And I look forward to reading your book in the not too distant future! 💕
Also, if you are in travelling distance of Loughcrew, would you consider answering Grandma's Call at Lughnasadh, if you are available? It would be lovely to meet you. 😊
Thanks Ali., as always for the support and cheering on :) :) Yes, Imposter syndrome is a terrible beast, and hard to keep quiet! Maybe it is a woman thing but I imagine it is quite universal - but I've certainly noticed that women seem to be more cautious in putting themselves forward to do something. They'll often wait until they've gathered all the information they need or have enough knowledge at their disposal to feel 'legitimate' enough to do something.
I saw your post about Grandma's call and was really excited by it. It sounds like a really special and inclusive event. Unfortunately, there is a sea (the Irish sea) between me and it, as I live in England and will (fingers crossed) be in the middle of a house-move in August (moving to Wales this time!). Will hopefully be back home in Ireland for a few days in September though -- I'm from Wicklow, whereabouts are you based?
Hi Belinda, I didn't realise you lived in London! I live in Cavan, very close to Loughcrew, its only a 20 minute drive for me. All the best with the move to Wales, it's beautiful! I lived on the island of Anglesey for a while, had a very happy time there. I'm sure you'll love living there. 💕
Ohh, what's Grandmas Call?? I love loughcrew, its an amazing spot
Hi Deborah, you can find out about it here.💕
https://aliisaac.substack.com/p/an-invitation-from-the-cailleach
Hope you dont mind me dropping a link here, Belinda! 💕
That's fab Ali, thank you! It looks amazing, will definitely be there. I've a special connection and grá for Loughcrew, and the Cailleach, so I look forward to it 🙏
Ah... I know the feeling! Will be great to see you there. 💕
It seems very fitting to bring that vulnerable honest you when that is the core of the work you have gathered from women in this project. I look forward to reading your book. I imagine it takes courage to launch into something that you know little about but where passion is taking you. Your doing it though.
Thanks Jen :) Yes, I'm doing it -- or at least trying to on the daily!! When I think about how far away the completion of a book of any form feels, it feels like too big a task, so I just focus on showing up each day, trusting that, one day, when the time is right, that cumulative effort will have produced something I'm really happy with (fingers crossed)