As a voracious reader and writer, it took me a long time to understand that although to some extent we are writing our story forwards, for the most part, we actually don't really see or understand the story until later looking back. Even then sometimes we're forcing a linear narrative where there isn't necessarily one. The invisible thread does run through everything.
It helps me to think of all of my work as a body of work so that I don't focus too much on any one piece. True for writing and also true for the rest of my life. I am adding to that body of work and it will all make sense from some future vantage point, imagining it all collected in an archive or retrospective, and so each piece matters but also each piece isn't the be all end all.
approaching my mid-twenties, also hacking away at my personal projects: writing, coding, breathing, moving cities. right now i'm daunted by the possibility that my words will not be enough, that i cannot curate my reality no matter how hard i try—so i cross my words out before they even land on the page. but i open this newsletter and it seems as if you always have the words that i need to hear at this very moment. maybe it's time for me to allow my words to exist and my dreams to take space. thank you.
Your description of Past Lives is great! I kept finding myself thinking "who is the bad guy", "who am I rooting for", "is she making the right decision", and I love how the movie just presents you with the choices made and leaves it there, just like real life.
This Kdrama might be interesting https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27906926/ . (Miracle Brothers). It explores a struggling writer and the need he has for someone else in his life. It is very easy to think if I do this or do that then I will become a super hero or a god so idolize that thing that will get me to that super hero / god like status. Alas, Father Time always has the last word.
Beautiful essay Nicole. Love the disjoint thoughts.
Really resonate with your notes on writing. It’s hard to gauge progress. Sometimes it doesn’t feel easy, I feel lost, confused with what I want to say.
re: zooming out. Reminded me why Port du Marseille is one of my favourite paintings. If you zoom in, it’s made of small brushstrokes. Insignificant. Isolated. They don’t look like anything.
But if you zoom out they all combine to a beautiful wholistic breathtaking picture.
I love this. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall.
As a voracious reader and writer, it took me a long time to understand that although to some extent we are writing our story forwards, for the most part, we actually don't really see or understand the story until later looking back. Even then sometimes we're forcing a linear narrative where there isn't necessarily one. The invisible thread does run through everything.
It helps me to think of all of my work as a body of work so that I don't focus too much on any one piece. True for writing and also true for the rest of my life. I am adding to that body of work and it will all make sense from some future vantage point, imagining it all collected in an archive or retrospective, and so each piece matters but also each piece isn't the be all end all.
approaching my mid-twenties, also hacking away at my personal projects: writing, coding, breathing, moving cities. right now i'm daunted by the possibility that my words will not be enough, that i cannot curate my reality no matter how hard i try—so i cross my words out before they even land on the page. but i open this newsletter and it seems as if you always have the words that i need to hear at this very moment. maybe it's time for me to allow my words to exist and my dreams to take space. thank you.
Your description of Past Lives is great! I kept finding myself thinking "who is the bad guy", "who am I rooting for", "is she making the right decision", and I love how the movie just presents you with the choices made and leaves it there, just like real life.
amazing piece... thank you
needed this kind of article, thanks :)
This Kdrama might be interesting https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27906926/ . (Miracle Brothers). It explores a struggling writer and the need he has for someone else in his life. It is very easy to think if I do this or do that then I will become a super hero or a god so idolize that thing that will get me to that super hero / god like status. Alas, Father Time always has the last word.
Cool post, thanks for sharing!
Beautiful essay Nicole. Love the disjoint thoughts.
Really resonate with your notes on writing. It’s hard to gauge progress. Sometimes it doesn’t feel easy, I feel lost, confused with what I want to say.
re: zooming out. Reminded me why Port du Marseille is one of my favourite paintings. If you zoom in, it’s made of small brushstrokes. Insignificant. Isolated. They don’t look like anything.
But if you zoom out they all combine to a beautiful wholistic breathtaking picture.
I love this. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall.
Rilke
💛