I find creativity to be very important, just like you do. And I lack discipline as well. I wonder, is it wisdom, or the lack of character. Whatever that is, photography can straighten things out. Joy:)
I am so sorry things are piling up Manuela; be gentle on yourself. Love the idea of erasure poetry. I saw a quote this morning that you might like (outside a bookshop) - "Think before you speak, and read before you think."
I am loving your erasure poems so much. I look forward to continuing to read them. I especially love that you combine them with visual appeal. I know that alone takes time. Add the daily life roller coaster and yes, it's easier to do things that don't support your sense of strength. This week's post I will share something that's working for me. I have to be careful not to fall into the trap though of thinking that one thing is the panacea to all maladies. It's an up and down process! Thank you for sharing your inner world with us, Manuela!
I appreciate it. Not sure that sharing my inner world is always good, but, oh well, a lot of what we are reading here on Substack are people’s diaries. :)
Thanks for sharing. Know you aren’t alone in much of your angst. I love how you’ve found a way to soothe yourself creatively, even when you have run into a void. Hold on, this external ride isn’t going anywhere good anytime soon, I fear. I appreciate your post and send strength for what lies ahead. And best with your boy in his educational journey.
Thank you for such vulnerability in your writing and with your beautiful erasure poetry. You sharing the difficult parenting decisions and dealing with all the conflict in the world is so challenging. It is so difficult these days to concentrate but I think -- with your writing as an example -- i might try the erasure poetry. I often feel much more comfortable with creating visual expressions of my state of mind/feelings although as a teenager I did creative writing. I also want to simplify my "goals" and focus on one thing at a time -- even if I block out the outer world which I know is transient - its frightening these days but I know much of what's going on is meant to be frightening -- I want to resist that manipulation and live as fully as I can with whatever time I have left. And creating art or even just playing gives me such joy and satisfaction - that's where I want to put most of my energy.
Beautiful words. I can empathize with everything said regarding concern for our kids and the unsettling state of the world. I will take your words to heart and try to focus on my own creative pursuits and also remain hopeful.
Manuela, I’ve been thinking about you and your son throughout this semester wondering how it’s going with your homeschooling. I hope you find a solution that works for your family. No easy choices. No one size fits all. It sounds like you’re very in touch with your intuitive thoughts around this choice and that makes all the difference. if you could know that everything will turn out just fine in the long run, maybe it would give you a lot of peace now. 💛
Creative expression always wins over fear and worry - so very true...it's just hard to remember this sometimes! I love your erasure poetry, Manuela...the double exposures work so well with words and vintage photos, so keep on creating :-)
I really enjoy your erasure poetry, and your post today resonated with me. I’ve been plagued by the same “annoying companions” for the past couple of months, often lost in thoughts—worrying about the future and feeling deep sadness over the needless destruction happening around us. Spending time with my photography and/or being in nature helps pull me out of my own head and recharges me with positive creative energy.
I love your erasure poems, they’re very soulful
Thank you!
I find creativity to be very important, just like you do. And I lack discipline as well. I wonder, is it wisdom, or the lack of character. Whatever that is, photography can straighten things out. Joy:)
Photography straightens it out. Yes! :)
I am so sorry things are piling up Manuela; be gentle on yourself. Love the idea of erasure poetry. I saw a quote this morning that you might like (outside a bookshop) - "Think before you speak, and read before you think."
Read before you think. I love that! Thanks!
I am loving your erasure poems so much. I look forward to continuing to read them. I especially love that you combine them with visual appeal. I know that alone takes time. Add the daily life roller coaster and yes, it's easier to do things that don't support your sense of strength. This week's post I will share something that's working for me. I have to be careful not to fall into the trap though of thinking that one thing is the panacea to all maladies. It's an up and down process! Thank you for sharing your inner world with us, Manuela!
Thanks, Juliette!
I appreciate it. Not sure that sharing my inner world is always good, but, oh well, a lot of what we are reading here on Substack are people’s diaries. :)
That is true! I do like what you have to share though, personally.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. Know you aren’t alone in much of your angst. I love how you’ve found a way to soothe yourself creatively, even when you have run into a void. Hold on, this external ride isn’t going anywhere good anytime soon, I fear. I appreciate your post and send strength for what lies ahead. And best with your boy in his educational journey.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for such vulnerability in your writing and with your beautiful erasure poetry. You sharing the difficult parenting decisions and dealing with all the conflict in the world is so challenging. It is so difficult these days to concentrate but I think -- with your writing as an example -- i might try the erasure poetry. I often feel much more comfortable with creating visual expressions of my state of mind/feelings although as a teenager I did creative writing. I also want to simplify my "goals" and focus on one thing at a time -- even if I block out the outer world which I know is transient - its frightening these days but I know much of what's going on is meant to be frightening -- I want to resist that manipulation and live as fully as I can with whatever time I have left. And creating art or even just playing gives me such joy and satisfaction - that's where I want to put most of my energy.
Bonnie, thank you so much! It would be wonderful to see what you create with erasure poetry.
And, you are so right about them wanting to frighten us and confuse us. It’s their whole tactic.
I think that creating and embracing life is a powerful act of resistance. I hope to connect soon!
Beautiful poems!! Thank you for sharing them and your thoughts. 🤍
Thank you!
Love the layers with erasure and images. Very creative. Great great work. Have faith!!
Thank you, Gaye! Miss you.
Beautiful words. I can empathize with everything said regarding concern for our kids and the unsettling state of the world. I will take your words to heart and try to focus on my own creative pursuits and also remain hopeful.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Manuela, I’ve been thinking about you and your son throughout this semester wondering how it’s going with your homeschooling. I hope you find a solution that works for your family. No easy choices. No one size fits all. It sounds like you’re very in touch with your intuitive thoughts around this choice and that makes all the difference. if you could know that everything will turn out just fine in the long run, maybe it would give you a lot of peace now. 💛
Hi Ann, thank you! Yes, the uncertainty right now about everything is sometimes difficult to manage.
This homeschooling has gone well so far and we are considering another year of it, but also trying to honor my son’s wish to go back to school.
I need to learn to trust that it will be fine. :)
Creative expression always wins over fear and worry - so very true...it's just hard to remember this sometimes! I love your erasure poetry, Manuela...the double exposures work so well with words and vintage photos, so keep on creating :-)
Thank you so much! This means a lot.
Super relatable. Hang in there. I love the erasure poetry!
Thank you, Dan!
I really enjoy your erasure poetry, and your post today resonated with me. I’ve been plagued by the same “annoying companions” for the past couple of months, often lost in thoughts—worrying about the future and feeling deep sadness over the needless destruction happening around us. Spending time with my photography and/or being in nature helps pull me out of my own head and recharges me with positive creative energy.
Thank you so much for this comment, Todd! We are indeed not alone in this.
I think it is the deep sadness that gets to me as well. Creating, connecting and surrounding myself with good people, animals and nature helps a lot.
I will also have to try your technique of “listening to very loud music while driving in the car by myself” to see if that helps!
Haha. Do it and let me know. That just makes me happy!