What a lovely essay about how we carry shame with us, sometimes so used to it that we aren’t completely clear that it is a part of us and guides how we act and how we feel. I hope you continue to share insights from writing your memoir – it will help a lot of people! And thank you for quoting my essay. I hope it helps your readers as well.
How stunningly relatable, Georgine. I had quite a few Amandas come at me when I wrote my memoir. It's funny how people react, isn't it? Even when someone was in the memory with me, their recollection was completely different from mine. That's memoir. No two people will experience the same event in quite the same way. I'd often point out, well, that's how I remember it, but feel free to write your own memoir about it ;) You can never please everyone, and we shouldn't have to. A brilliant read. Best of luck with the success of your memoir. Well done for getting it out into the world. :) (I smiled at your potato theory. How appropriate :))
Hi Marcia, thank you for your comment! I cracked up at your 'feel free to write your own...' comment — it's a lot easier to be an armchair quarterback than to get in there and play the actual game. No doubt! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Great story about bravery and possibilities and helpful to reveal the unexpected outcomes of putting your life on paper. There are many versions of ourselves and you so beautifully illustrate that with words in your memoir both in how you view key people in your journey and in yourself. The knowing of a person is a truly complicated endeavor, the revealing of our most vulnerable selves in writing is a gift to both ourselves and the universe who want to seek the knowing.
Thanks for this kind and generous comment, Barbie. It really is a complicated endeavor to know someone — we all contain so many selves, have lived so many different lives within one life. It makes me grateful for my community of writers, who somehow manage to hold all of that complexity with such care. I saw that same layered quality in your latest scuba post, watching all the phases of your PADI journey unfold. I appreciate you!
Hi Rosanne. That means a lot, especially coming from you. There's something about writing memoir that asks you to hold your own life up to the light and describe exactly what you see, even the parts you'd rather leave in the dark. Knowing you've walked that same path makes me feel less alone. So grateful we're Fall cohort members together. 💛
Thank you for writing this, Georgine. I would like to think that my gender won't keep me from being as honest and open as you have been, but it is scary.
Hi Robert, Thank you for your comment. I appreciate you naming that — gender and culture do shape how much room we're given to be honest and open — on the page and in other contexts. I think the rules are more stringent for vulnerability in western men than they are for western women, which is one of many reasons your story matters. I hope you'll take the risk. 💪
"One thing I’ve learned about middle age is that I’m done with pretending, with playing small, with living a guarded, sanitized life. Societal expectations be damned. My goal now is to strive for authenticity and to give others permission to do the same." Bravo👏👏👏 I'm right there with you cheering you on
Thanks, Cindy! I love the title of your Substack, "The Joyful Empty Nester." I think we definitely have life stage in common. I can't wait to check out your posts!
What a lovely essay about how we carry shame with us, sometimes so used to it that we aren’t completely clear that it is a part of us and guides how we act and how we feel. I hope you continue to share insights from writing your memoir – it will help a lot of people! And thank you for quoting my essay. I hope it helps your readers as well.
How stunningly relatable, Georgine. I had quite a few Amandas come at me when I wrote my memoir. It's funny how people react, isn't it? Even when someone was in the memory with me, their recollection was completely different from mine. That's memoir. No two people will experience the same event in quite the same way. I'd often point out, well, that's how I remember it, but feel free to write your own memoir about it ;) You can never please everyone, and we shouldn't have to. A brilliant read. Best of luck with the success of your memoir. Well done for getting it out into the world. :) (I smiled at your potato theory. How appropriate :))
Hi Marcia, thank you for your comment! I cracked up at your 'feel free to write your own...' comment — it's a lot easier to be an armchair quarterback than to get in there and play the actual game. No doubt! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Haha, you’re so welcome, Georgine. My pleasure :)) I loved your story!
Great story about bravery and possibilities and helpful to reveal the unexpected outcomes of putting your life on paper. There are many versions of ourselves and you so beautifully illustrate that with words in your memoir both in how you view key people in your journey and in yourself. The knowing of a person is a truly complicated endeavor, the revealing of our most vulnerable selves in writing is a gift to both ourselves and the universe who want to seek the knowing.
Thanks for this kind and generous comment, Barbie. It really is a complicated endeavor to know someone — we all contain so many selves, have lived so many different lives within one life. It makes me grateful for my community of writers, who somehow manage to hold all of that complexity with such care. I saw that same layered quality in your latest scuba post, watching all the phases of your PADI journey unfold. I appreciate you!
So beautifully articulated, Georgine❤️❤️
Hi Rosanne. That means a lot, especially coming from you. There's something about writing memoir that asks you to hold your own life up to the light and describe exactly what you see, even the parts you'd rather leave in the dark. Knowing you've walked that same path makes me feel less alone. So grateful we're Fall cohort members together. 💛
Thank you for writing this, Georgine. I would like to think that my gender won't keep me from being as honest and open as you have been, but it is scary.
Hi Robert, Thank you for your comment. I appreciate you naming that — gender and culture do shape how much room we're given to be honest and open — on the page and in other contexts. I think the rules are more stringent for vulnerability in western men than they are for western women, which is one of many reasons your story matters. I hope you'll take the risk. 💪
"One thing I’ve learned about middle age is that I’m done with pretending, with playing small, with living a guarded, sanitized life. Societal expectations be damned. My goal now is to strive for authenticity and to give others permission to do the same." Bravo👏👏👏 I'm right there with you cheering you on
Thanks, Cindy! I love the title of your Substack, "The Joyful Empty Nester." I think we definitely have life stage in common. I can't wait to check out your posts!
I like the Potato Principle. And your memoir is a fascinating dive into a myriad of subjects. Review coming soon!
Thanks, Jennifer. It's very cool to meet other writers here on Substack. Thanks for being such a wonderful source of support and encouragement.😊
I love our writing community here.
Congrats on your upcoming book, that’s amazing!! 🤩
Thanks for the support, Hera!