Take several deep breaths. Write something.
Today I’m grateful for my past self. The one who created these simple to follow prompt instructions. I think my past self had an idea of what this future week would bring.
Usually I write these posts the night before, and I schedule them to arrive in your inbox at 7:42am. But then I’m already in a new head space by the time you’re reading. It feels/felt safer to be ahead of dealing with my emotions or situations.
This week, I need to write in the moment. To be present. And so right now I’m taking deep breaths while I write.
Both of my kids are still sleeping. It’s 9:34am. I have two meetings today. One with a friend and I’m so grateful to have a friend who wants to hang out weekly. Moving to a new place and making friends as an adult can be daunting. Everyone already has their friend group, right?
I don’t believe that to be true. I have moved so many times in my life, and somehow I have always been able to make a friend, or two, or join a community. So I just…believe that to be true.
I watched my children on the playgroup when they were young, my eldest especially, just hopping into conversations or joining play, seamlessly. His enthusiasm for finding friends was inspiring. My youngest was more of a “I’ll let friends find me.” Which is a different tactic, but equally as valid. The friend-makers, they will find you, sitting at the edge of parties trying every single kind of cheese…and they will ask you “did you find a favourite cheese, I’d love your opinion before diving in.” The friend-makers are gently watching you, trying to figure out if you’d like to be left alone, or approached.
At least, that’s me. I’m a friend-maker. And if I meet a person who’s not particularly matched to me, I will often connect them with someone who goes on to become a best friend, a partner, or a colleague.
That is my skill set. I’m a connector. Sometimes it’s hard to keep friends for myself. Because I’m always doing too many things.
I don’t think to stay in one place for very long.
My brain is full of connections and criss-crossing ideas. I suppose that’s why I generally write the night before. So there is room for editing and looking ahead, and synthesized feelings.
*deep breath*
Today I have a meeting with a friend, and if my eldest wakes up soon, he’s going to come with me, because my friend and he are both enthusiastic about the same anime. And my friend said she’d be more than happy to info-dump back and forth with him.
***
I just went into his room to confirm that he’d be up for our pre-planned meet up. I woke him up. After a tiny reminding-session, he was enthusiastic and excited to meet someone with the same interest as him. So that brightened my day.
Then after the first friend meeting I am to head to another meeting to discuss running writing/storytelling workshops for adults during June. I’m very excited about that. I’ll be paid, and it’s for a public library! That also makes my heart happy.
Then I offered to drive my youngest kiddo into the city to see his Dad, because now that there isn’t school we have to figure out a new system of sharing the kids so that they get one on one time with each parent group, and some overlapping sibling time so that the parents get some time off parenting.
I feel absurdly grateful to be part of this particular co-parenting structure. It is relaxed and loving. We put the kids first, but also value each other in meaningful ways.
..and now we get to re-figure.
Oh! My youngest just called out to see if I could make him crepes. And I predicted it! I already have crepe batter made!
…and after I drive my youngest to his Dad’s I’m heading to visit a former student with whom I’ve reconnected several times over the years. He and his partner just happen to live in the province I live in, and I’m excited to see him and meet his partner and say hello! It feels like a genuine honour to have the students I taught wanting to check in and tell me how they are doing.
This is shaping up to be a beautiful Friday.
Writing over.
Heart,
Wake
This might be my favourite post ever. ;)