This is such a beautiful piece and made me cry. Thank you for being so honest, being so inspirational, and walking the talk about turning up and finding your tribe. You are an extraordinary writer and human being, and you bring so much to my community. I am so glad to know you.
There’s so much I’d love to chat to you about here. You’ve so clearly articulated why I applied for the part time job at Oliver Bonas last winter and ended up staying on. I love my twice weekly workplace chats with customers and colleagues. I also realised just this week (after reading Bec Evans post about collective effervescence while sitting around a table with other local writers) that I’m now part of a number of different writing groups that give me connection throughout the week including LWS 24 hour sprint and yes, when did I stop chatting on the phone. So much to nod my head to here. I’m also here for the chats 💙
So much to say on this but no idea where to begin!
Love the spaces you carved out for yourself so as to experience that connection we all need. I haven’t found any other way.
I’ve no idea how but I recognised a need for people around me early on in self employment and I was fortunate that I found a local, yet sizeable networking group.
I didn’t make any close connections necessarily (maybe one thinking about it) but I did note that many of us were self employed for to no longer being able to work in salaried employment - often due to chronic ill health, mental illness etc.
joining hart leap has def been the best community to join as a writer. It’s got my first book out there and over the line!
I’ve had to build lots of pockets of space to support me through complex and misunderstood recovery. Starting with Weekly yoga, monthly bodywork. But essentially spaces where at least one other can hold space for the magnitude of all I’m going through.
I don’t know how I would’ve got through the pandemic without it. I doubt I would’ve recovered from massive relapse that’s for sure.
I was going to write about the loneliness particular to chronic illness, but that turned into another piece altogether. I think I will write about that separately. We both know what challenges that brings in particular, not least because it's hard to show up for anything consistently, and there is always a feeling of letting people down even when we do manage to forge connection. I hadn't realised how much I needed to be around people until I stopped having it 💕
Your beautiful essay has been flowing through my thoughts since I first read it last night Emma - almost too many thoughts to know how to start to capture them, and yet as my life has been so shaped by chronic illness since my teens, (made so much more complicated since the Covid vaccine triggered a huge aggravation in 2021) the isolation and loneliness due to chronic illness is my current reality.
Substack and being amongst writers is such a balm. I’m fortunate to be an introvert, content to be single now, and to find huge connection through animals and nature too, but I miss being able to meet up with others to talk, laugh, have dinner or just walk since having to give up work. So many friends either have serious illnesses too now since covid or have become carers of loved ones who are ill. Others have just drifted away.
I sense a shift towards people coming back together and finding different ways to connect driven by a deep need for community and connection, and the more we talk and share our own experiences the more that will gain momentum I feel, so thank you for your open hearted honesty and trust in us all 💕
I hear you Emma, the loneliness is very real. I feel it every day. However, the writing community throws me a lifeline on a daily basis and that is one of the reasons I cannot stop writing.
Thanks for the mention btw. Look forward to reading what you write about workplace bullying - know that one too! 😜
The writing community is so incredibly special. The way that Substack in particular has enabled us to connect is wonderful. There are so many reasons why I cannot stop writing… ❤️
Thank you Emma for such an honest and real post. It is one I sill need to come back to a few times to digest it all. You are an amazing human being. ❤️❤️❤️
This is so poignant Emma, I was just thinking about loneliness this morning when I went on my walk. I have sat with this feeling recently as most of my old friends have drifted away as I have changed spiritually. I am lucky to have the people who do get me, but in between I do miss that common connection that work brought. We have moved house and are luckily to have a lovely set of new neighbours, but that is limited to a hi as we pass in the street.
It’s funny what you say about the school gated. I’m not a parent, but have recently started rewatching Motherland, I would definitely have been on the naughty table! I have found the most beautiful connections and friends here on Substack and to be honest at the moment I don’t have the physical energy or mental capacity to go out and make new in person connections, so I am soooooo appreciative of that. xx
This is such a beautiful piece and made me cry. Thank you for being so honest, being so inspirational, and walking the talk about turning up and finding your tribe. You are an extraordinary writer and human being, and you bring so much to my community. I am so glad to know you.
Oh the feeling is 100% mutual. Finding you and your tribe here really is a lifeline. You are also extraordinary my friend, thank you for everything ❤️
There’s so much I’d love to chat to you about here. You’ve so clearly articulated why I applied for the part time job at Oliver Bonas last winter and ended up staying on. I love my twice weekly workplace chats with customers and colleagues. I also realised just this week (after reading Bec Evans post about collective effervescence while sitting around a table with other local writers) that I’m now part of a number of different writing groups that give me connection throughout the week including LWS 24 hour sprint and yes, when did I stop chatting on the phone. So much to nod my head to here. I’m also here for the chats 💙
So much to say on this but no idea where to begin!
Love the spaces you carved out for yourself so as to experience that connection we all need. I haven’t found any other way.
I’ve no idea how but I recognised a need for people around me early on in self employment and I was fortunate that I found a local, yet sizeable networking group.
I didn’t make any close connections necessarily (maybe one thinking about it) but I did note that many of us were self employed for to no longer being able to work in salaried employment - often due to chronic ill health, mental illness etc.
joining hart leap has def been the best community to join as a writer. It’s got my first book out there and over the line!
I’ve had to build lots of pockets of space to support me through complex and misunderstood recovery. Starting with Weekly yoga, monthly bodywork. But essentially spaces where at least one other can hold space for the magnitude of all I’m going through.
I don’t know how I would’ve got through the pandemic without it. I doubt I would’ve recovered from massive relapse that’s for sure.
I was going to write about the loneliness particular to chronic illness, but that turned into another piece altogether. I think I will write about that separately. We both know what challenges that brings in particular, not least because it's hard to show up for anything consistently, and there is always a feeling of letting people down even when we do manage to forge connection. I hadn't realised how much I needed to be around people until I stopped having it 💕
Your beautiful essay has been flowing through my thoughts since I first read it last night Emma - almost too many thoughts to know how to start to capture them, and yet as my life has been so shaped by chronic illness since my teens, (made so much more complicated since the Covid vaccine triggered a huge aggravation in 2021) the isolation and loneliness due to chronic illness is my current reality.
Substack and being amongst writers is such a balm. I’m fortunate to be an introvert, content to be single now, and to find huge connection through animals and nature too, but I miss being able to meet up with others to talk, laugh, have dinner or just walk since having to give up work. So many friends either have serious illnesses too now since covid or have become carers of loved ones who are ill. Others have just drifted away.
I sense a shift towards people coming back together and finding different ways to connect driven by a deep need for community and connection, and the more we talk and share our own experiences the more that will gain momentum I feel, so thank you for your open hearted honesty and trust in us all 💕
I look forward to reading that piece. So many will relate💛
Your writing is never not beautiful. Thank you ❤️
you're so lovely x
I hear you Emma, the loneliness is very real. I feel it every day. However, the writing community throws me a lifeline on a daily basis and that is one of the reasons I cannot stop writing.
Thanks for the mention btw. Look forward to reading what you write about workplace bullying - know that one too! 😜
The writing community is so incredibly special. The way that Substack in particular has enabled us to connect is wonderful. There are so many reasons why I cannot stop writing… ❤️
I love your honesty and self awareness Emma. 💛
thank you my friend 🫶
Thanks Emma. I've loved meeting up with you and all our voicenotes.
I feel exactly the same - thank you for all your advice and support, you're amazing ❤️
Thank you Emma for such an honest and real post. It is one I sill need to come back to a few times to digest it all. You are an amazing human being. ❤️❤️❤️
This is so poignant Emma, I was just thinking about loneliness this morning when I went on my walk. I have sat with this feeling recently as most of my old friends have drifted away as I have changed spiritually. I am lucky to have the people who do get me, but in between I do miss that common connection that work brought. We have moved house and are luckily to have a lovely set of new neighbours, but that is limited to a hi as we pass in the street.
It’s funny what you say about the school gated. I’m not a parent, but have recently started rewatching Motherland, I would definitely have been on the naughty table! I have found the most beautiful connections and friends here on Substack and to be honest at the moment I don’t have the physical energy or mental capacity to go out and make new in person connections, so I am soooooo appreciative of that. xx