Getting lost to find yourself again

When straying from the path helps you see the light

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

I lost my way with the Mindful Writer. I thought it had to become a place where I run writing courses. But it wasn’t that when I started it and in doing the poll with readers recently and seeing what they like best about what I share, I realised it shouldn’t be that now. The posts that people enjoy the most are the recommendations on books and films that have influenced me, and my personal essays.

So in true mindful style, I have been sitting with why I have been turning it into another writing course platform. And I now know it’s because I got scared. Of giving so much of my energy and time to writing just for pleasure about the things that have helped me to become a more mindful writer, and sharing my journey that made me realise I needed to be one. In the hope that what I share will connect with someone who needs to hear it and help them walk further down that path too.

It felt too risky as it wasn’t likely that I could make an income from that and I am a self-employed writer and teacher with a fluctuating and unpredictable flow of money coming in. So I did what I always do and defaulted back to ‘work’ me and introduced the writing courses to try and trick my mind into feeling more financially secure. Which is not to say that I don’t love running the courses as I do! I love working with writers. But I already do that through Retreat West and WestWord, and through the Year of Mindful Writing and Mindful Novel courses. I don’t need to do it here too.

So, there are going to be some changes at The Mindful Writer. I am no longer going to run writing courses for paid subscribers and seeing as they are the only thing behind the paywall, if you joined on an annual subscription just for the courses then I will refund you the remainder of your year (even though that part of me that feels a desperate need for financial security is shouting it’s head off and going into panic mode right now!). Just get in touch. If you are on a monthly subscription and now want to cancel, then of course I understand although will be sorry to see you go.

There will no longer be anything behind a paywall and all of my posts will be free for all to read. But I hope that people will find value in what I share and want to support my work here, either through a subscription, or by giving me a tip now and then. Both are appreciated and really do make a difference.

I will now only be sharing posts about mindful living and writing, my personal journey, interviews with other writers, and occasional guest posts. What I really want for The Mindful Writer is for us to come together in a community to slow down and take our time with writing and life. To celebrate the amazing fact of being here together, to remember that even though there are terrible things happening in the world, there are just as many beautiful and wondrous things too, that we are all in this together, and letting all of that awe and deep connection seep into everything we write, and do.

With love,

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