A Year of Mindful Gratitude

Giving thanks for people, words and connection

Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash

Hello friends,

As the year comes to a close and marks the end of my first year writing on Substack, I want to say how grateful I am to you for subscribing and reading my words. There are so many things vying for our attention online and off, that I really appreciate you taking the time to connect with my writing. I firmly believe that you do because you’re meant to right now.

I keep reading things here from other writers that feel like they were written for me and what’s happening in my life and mind at that moment, and I really hope some of my words do that for you. Many of you have got in touch to say that they do and I thank you. It’s lovely to know this. An extra special thank you to my paid subscribers, your support of my work in these times really means a lot to me and enables me to keep writing for you.

I love this time of year. It’s when I have my longest break from work and I will be on festive holiday from the afternoon of 22nd December until the 3rd January. I plan to read a lot, nap a lot, and enjoy my rest time. But as I wind down to this, it’s when I start to look back at what I am grateful for this year, and also to look ahead at what I can bring to people in 2024.

Before I look ahead, I want to say that this year I’m really grateful to have discovered the following Substacks, which have brought joy, insights and questions to my life, as well as some beautiful writing and a feeling of connection with like-minded souls:

• Going Gently by

  Satya Robyn

• Wabi Sabi Life

• Abundant Everyday Joy by

  Dave Karpowicz

• Eleanor’s Substack

• Silentium by

  Andō

• A Thin Space
  by Emily Conway

• Taoism Reimagined

And also my gratitude goes to:

• Sparkle on Substack

• Sarah Fay

• Russell Nohelty

For sharing their wisdom and enthusiasm on how to make Substack and a creative life work. I’ve been doing it all by myself for so long and it feels great to have their guidance, motivation and support.

I have lots of great things planned for next year to help writers develop their craft - new courses and and short online workshops, as well as 1-1 mentoring; and to get on with writing my new novel, launching my novella-in-flash, Pressure Drop, and pulling together and publishing my flash fiction collection. I also plan to start work on a craft book that pulls together the knowledge and experience I have gathered over the past 15 years of writing, editing, teaching and publishing fiction. I really love everything about writing and reading stories!

The first of my new Year of Mindful Writing programmes kicks off in January and I am really excited about working with these writers to help them, and me, develop their craft in a more mindful way. I plan to start another year for another group of six in June. Email me if you’d like to go on a wait list to receive advance notice of applications opening. I am also starting a new monthly writing programme in January just for paid subscribers and really looking forward to that.

This is going to be my final post at The Mindful Writer for 2023 and I will be back in January now. Whatever you have planned for the festive season and for 2024, I hope you find time and headspace for your writing.

I really do believe that it’s important for our own wellbeing and for the future of humanity, that we keep on telling stories that can help bring us together and remind us that what this human experience is all about is connection and collaboration. Let’s work together to spread more peace and love with our words in 2024 and beyond.

Happy Solstice, Christmas and New Year to you!

With love,

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