Jen, I can’t tell you how deeply this landed for me today. I have also been in a space of finally acknowledging that I need to begin again (more accurately, bolster up) with my self care in the interest of mental health. This is both validating (oh, it’s not just me) and reminds me to start with grace instead of “goddammit.” Thank you for this post, which was a voice of grace for the morning.
Every time we acknowledge our own struggles publicly, as you so generously do, Jen, we make room for someone else to shed a little shame and fear about their own dark wing of anxiety or depression or anger. Thank you for what you bring! I’m picking up what you are putting down! 🧡
Feel like we're somehow synced up. Just this week "began again" to work on self-compassion as part of trying to stay one step ahead of depression. Lovely, as always. We've got this.
Love this, Jen! Yes, ALWAYS, begin again. I have done just that this week. After four months of barely touching my book, I am beginning (once again) on another round of revisions. Your message came at the perfect time to motivate. Cheering you on!
Thanks for this Jen as I struggle with depression again and try to figure out WHY Yes maybe some of the whys aré important , but not as important as beginning again to practice the self care that I need to do to get better , and to double down on them because simple measures aren’t working this time
I need to get out and walk every day , not just if I feel like like it , I need to journal , I need to connect with people but I like to isolate I have decided to put my house in the country up for sale and move back to the city. I will begin again.
Once again, you’ve written exactly what I need to read. I love that list of begin agains. I’m going to make my own and label it and post it somewhere I can see it first thing. Things to begin again and again. Beginner’s Mind! How come I forget over and over? And yay to the energizing feedback about the novel.
After a week of writing about an intense time for my memoir, I gave myself the full day off to go to the mountains and walk with a friend. Pure magic and restorative, lifting my heart and head out of a pervasive depression. Beginning again on the writing when I feel resourced. 🩷
I really needed this today, thank you. I recently realized I also need to revisit some practices to help me alleviate depression, and I've been taking the first steps. It was somehow very encouraging to know I'm not the only one. Sending you so much love as you begin again.
I started reading this letter and almost immediately got lost in thought about how hard it is to consider new ideas when I’m depressed. I forced myself back to the page but skipped down past the excerpt, still lost in my ennui. But then a saw you mention depression and thought, “hey ding-a-ling, this isn’t another self-improvement hack, she’s talking to YOU.” And I couldn’t be more grateful!
I ❤️ this. "I can begin again" shows up often in my morning pages. I love the shift to always begin again. I ask myself, what are some things, small steps, (many inquiries you suggest as prompt) and this play on the word always bubbled up: 'all ways' to begin again. 🌻
Good morning from California, what a wonderful first read for my day. Hopeful, compassionate, encouraging and full of grace exactly what I needed to feel uplifted this morning. Really - a gift I needed. Thank you.☺️
Thank you, Jen - this really resonated with me today! I've been being mean to myself (aka beating myself up!) for stopping writing, and now starting again - and your words really speak to me. Some grace, some self-compassion, a little patience, a lot of hope - and some practical wisdom for starting again. "Always start again" - it's never too late - YES!
Jen, I can’t tell you how deeply this landed for me today. I have also been in a space of finally acknowledging that I need to begin again (more accurately, bolster up) with my self care in the interest of mental health. This is both validating (oh, it’s not just me) and reminds me to start with grace instead of “goddammit.” Thank you for this post, which was a voice of grace for the morning.
That’s the perfect distinction!! Grace not goddammit. Thanks for that and for commenting . It’s so good not to feel alone. ❤️
Every time we acknowledge our own struggles publicly, as you so generously do, Jen, we make room for someone else to shed a little shame and fear about their own dark wing of anxiety or depression or anger. Thank you for what you bring! I’m picking up what you are putting down! 🧡
And I’m eating your breakfast of champions and loving it! I appreciate you so much.❤️❤️❤️
Feel like we're somehow synced up. Just this week "began again" to work on self-compassion as part of trying to stay one step ahead of depression. Lovely, as always. We've got this.
hope today was another begin again day!
Love this, Jen! Yes, ALWAYS, begin again. I have done just that this week. After four months of barely touching my book, I am beginning (once again) on another round of revisions. Your message came at the perfect time to motivate. Cheering you on!
You got this! Right there with you. 👍🏽👋🙌🏻
Just the right encouragement at the just right time! Thanks Jen!
Thank you!!
Thanks for this Jen as I struggle with depression again and try to figure out WHY Yes maybe some of the whys aré important , but not as important as beginning again to practice the self care that I need to do to get better , and to double down on them because simple measures aren’t working this time
I need to get out and walk every day , not just if I feel like like it , I need to journal , I need to connect with people but I like to isolate I have decided to put my house in the country up for sale and move back to the city. I will begin again.
Yes Catherine. The struggle is so real and hard and there is something about this gentle phrase that gives me grace. ❤️❤️❤️
Once again, you’ve written exactly what I need to read. I love that list of begin agains. I’m going to make my own and label it and post it somewhere I can see it first thing. Things to begin again and again. Beginner’s Mind! How come I forget over and over? And yay to the energizing feedback about the novel.
We all forget! That’s why we need each other. ❤️❤️❤️
After a week of writing about an intense time for my memoir, I gave myself the full day off to go to the mountains and walk with a friend. Pure magic and restorative, lifting my heart and head out of a pervasive depression. Beginning again on the writing when I feel resourced. 🩷
I love that! The mountains!!
Last month I literally wrote my Substack post called "Begin Again"...... so yes!
https://nextobviousthing.substack.com/p/begin-again
Great minds!!
I really needed this today, thank you. I recently realized I also need to revisit some practices to help me alleviate depression, and I've been taking the first steps. It was somehow very encouraging to know I'm not the only one. Sending you so much love as you begin again.
Right back at you. We can do this — gently ❤️
Thanks for this.
thanks Judy for being here.
Your PS made me so happy for you!
thank you! Now to have a clear brain to make these changes.
We're all cheering you on. :)
that made me grin!
I started reading this letter and almost immediately got lost in thought about how hard it is to consider new ideas when I’m depressed. I forced myself back to the page but skipped down past the excerpt, still lost in my ennui. But then a saw you mention depression and thought, “hey ding-a-ling, this isn’t another self-improvement hack, she’s talking to YOU.” And I couldn’t be more grateful!
Thanks for keeping going Eden. Definitely no self improvement hacks here. It is so hard to think I spent yesterday staring at my manuscript a lot!
I ❤️ this. "I can begin again" shows up often in my morning pages. I love the shift to always begin again. I ask myself, what are some things, small steps, (many inquiries you suggest as prompt) and this play on the word always bubbled up: 'all ways' to begin again. 🌻
what a fun prompt. all ways... love that!!
Good morning from California, what a wonderful first read for my day. Hopeful, compassionate, encouraging and full of grace exactly what I needed to feel uplifted this morning. Really - a gift I needed. Thank you.☺️
Thanks so much Elizabeth for reading!!!
Thank you, Jen - this really resonated with me today! I've been being mean to myself (aka beating myself up!) for stopping writing, and now starting again - and your words really speak to me. Some grace, some self-compassion, a little patience, a lot of hope - and some practical wisdom for starting again. "Always start again" - it's never too late - YES!
Yes patience and warm curiosity.
I owe you an email!!
No rush! 😊❤️