I would love a space I can decorate with vintage embroidered textiles, art that holds special meaning for me, and piles of books everywhere, somewhere that I can disappear into and be a ‘real’ writer. There is something powerful in having the right, supportive surroundings to pursue your work though, of course, we can’t afford to wait until the surroundings are just so. As I wrote, I realized I wasn’t writing just about making room (space, time) to do things you love. I was writing about resuscitating an unlived life.
One of my unlived lives might be one of a book author—the intellectual validation that comes with. There, I said it, Priya. You post comes just as I wonder where to start, how to start, puzzled, a bit fearful, confused….I always had an idea. But how do you start? What are the options? Self publish? Traditional publisher route? Sounds so daunting…As I say this, I also chuckle, wondering what our Swamiji will say. As my own spiritual beliefs lead me to believe that where we are is perfect. And this longing is a “vasanna” of that fickle mind and I have to be careful not to pay too much attention to it:) We don’t suppress longings of stats unlived, but should constantly aware not to let the mind drive us, but let our self drive the mind:) Thanks for the post and any advice.
I can definitely relate to wanting to be an author + the validation it may bring. For all that we want to create, it’s the reader that seems to complete the circle. I’m almost done with my book and am serializing it to tighten the writing, tie up my plot lines, etc. I am only focusing on that until I finish. That has helped get through the writing because otherwise, the publishing aspect of it, and the other questions paralyze me.
My take on longings- rather than being driven, I think of it as a breadcrumb trail to something I might love, and there is joy in exploring that. Rather than it driving you, you bring consciousness to that area and you meditate it with awareness. The writers in the book I mentioned have a lot of playful exercises that help turn it into a creative exploration.
Thanks for the conversation! It’s my favorite part of writing here.
Thanks for sharing, Priya. What does serialize exactly mean? I have yet to explore. And how did you decide you’d serialize on Substack as opposed to go the traditional (?) route of seeking a publisher? Yes, perhaps I should just write the book out as opposed to think about the publishing end of things. Time is also a deterrent. On a practical note—Substack post or work on book and of course, do the regular day job which also thankfully is writing focused:) I do believe that despite it all, I am leading the best life I can and agree, it’s great to share stories and trials and tribulations of life on Substack!
Anu, serialize means I share a chapter every week, or some similar cadence. I haven’t decided what route to pursue re publishing. I’m still working on the novel- writing it and sharing has made me more accountable and really energized me, thanks to some wonderful, supportive readers.
I agree that making time and space for creative work, like writing is essential. I think James Clear speaks about the environment as well in his book. Thanks Priya.
Tinashe, thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. James Clear does talk about that. I used to volunteer as a health coach and we always started with environment. Thanks again!
I’m beginning my unlived life right now. Exploring a creative and playful side I never knew existed in me. Sometimes my other lived self comes out and tells me to get to going. Make money. Stop playing around. Be productive member of society. Have to shut her down and remind myself it’s ok to be exactly where I am.
Sometimes I wonder why it has to be so hard to do what we long for. I’m sure there’s every kind of reason (environment, biology, etc.) for that. I’m glad that you’re reclaiming what you want, Kim! Thanks, as always, for reading. I appreciate your company and support.
I’ve come to realized that my greatest fear is arriving at the end of my life feeling like it was not fully lived. Because of that I try to pay close attention! However I’m currently back in ‘mild alarm mode’ at how fast time is going🤪
Thanks for sharing these quotes Priya. My favourite book about this, which contains the same words from Jung, is Living An Examined Life by James Hollis.
It’s interesting that this, and purpose and meaning, are up on Substack this week. I just wrote about the myth of a purpose driven life and have seen other interesting essays as well as yours. Thank you.
James Hollis is such an inspiring writer. I wonder if spring brings a kind of resurgent energy drawing us to focus on what we are doing with our lives. I look forward to reading your post. Thank you, Donna, I appreciate it!
I love the title of this piece and how in making space for your writing to live its own life, your writing unfolded to show you that you were writing about bringing an unlived life back to life. It makes me think also how our writing gives new life to the stories we’ve lived, as through our words, we make space to re-live our stories and for them to live again.
Amidst the whirlwind of daily life and doubts that arise with embarking on a life reset in my late thirties, your reflections reminded to come back to the present and appreciate the beauty of being able to live my unlived life in the present moment, of finally letting myself be a writer (after decades of stringing words together for other people’s purposes) and a creative who is living life on my own terms, in continued exploration of another part of the world.
One of my unlived lives might be one of a book author—the intellectual validation that comes with. There, I said it, Priya. You post comes just as I wonder where to start, how to start, puzzled, a bit fearful, confused….I always had an idea. But how do you start? What are the options? Self publish? Traditional publisher route? Sounds so daunting…As I say this, I also chuckle, wondering what our Swamiji will say. As my own spiritual beliefs lead me to believe that where we are is perfect. And this longing is a “vasanna” of that fickle mind and I have to be careful not to pay too much attention to it:) We don’t suppress longings of stats unlived, but should constantly aware not to let the mind drive us, but let our self drive the mind:) Thanks for the post and any advice.
I can definitely relate to wanting to be an author + the validation it may bring. For all that we want to create, it’s the reader that seems to complete the circle. I’m almost done with my book and am serializing it to tighten the writing, tie up my plot lines, etc. I am only focusing on that until I finish. That has helped get through the writing because otherwise, the publishing aspect of it, and the other questions paralyze me.
My take on longings- rather than being driven, I think of it as a breadcrumb trail to something I might love, and there is joy in exploring that. Rather than it driving you, you bring consciousness to that area and you meditate it with awareness. The writers in the book I mentioned have a lot of playful exercises that help turn it into a creative exploration.
Thanks for the conversation! It’s my favorite part of writing here.
Thanks for sharing, Priya. What does serialize exactly mean? I have yet to explore. And how did you decide you’d serialize on Substack as opposed to go the traditional (?) route of seeking a publisher? Yes, perhaps I should just write the book out as opposed to think about the publishing end of things. Time is also a deterrent. On a practical note—Substack post or work on book and of course, do the regular day job which also thankfully is writing focused:) I do believe that despite it all, I am leading the best life I can and agree, it’s great to share stories and trials and tribulations of life on Substack!
Anu, serialize means I share a chapter every week, or some similar cadence. I haven’t decided what route to pursue re publishing. I’m still working on the novel- writing it and sharing has made me more accountable and really energized me, thanks to some wonderful, supportive readers.
I agree that making time and space for creative work, like writing is essential. I think James Clear speaks about the environment as well in his book. Thanks Priya.
Tinashe, thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. James Clear does talk about that. I used to volunteer as a health coach and we always started with environment. Thanks again!
Congrats on serializing your novel! I'm doing my best to live my "unlived life."
Carissa, that’s great!
I’m beginning my unlived life right now. Exploring a creative and playful side I never knew existed in me. Sometimes my other lived self comes out and tells me to get to going. Make money. Stop playing around. Be productive member of society. Have to shut her down and remind myself it’s ok to be exactly where I am.
Sometimes I wonder why it has to be so hard to do what we long for. I’m sure there’s every kind of reason (environment, biology, etc.) for that. I’m glad that you’re reclaiming what you want, Kim! Thanks, as always, for reading. I appreciate your company and support.
I’ve come to realized that my greatest fear is arriving at the end of my life feeling like it was not fully lived. Because of that I try to pay close attention! However I’m currently back in ‘mild alarm mode’ at how fast time is going🤪
Thanks for sharing these quotes Priya. My favourite book about this, which contains the same words from Jung, is Living An Examined Life by James Hollis.
It’s interesting that this, and purpose and meaning, are up on Substack this week. I just wrote about the myth of a purpose driven life and have seen other interesting essays as well as yours. Thank you.
James Hollis is such an inspiring writer. I wonder if spring brings a kind of resurgent energy drawing us to focus on what we are doing with our lives. I look forward to reading your post. Thank you, Donna, I appreciate it!
I love the title of this piece and how in making space for your writing to live its own life, your writing unfolded to show you that you were writing about bringing an unlived life back to life. It makes me think also how our writing gives new life to the stories we’ve lived, as through our words, we make space to re-live our stories and for them to live again.
Amidst the whirlwind of daily life and doubts that arise with embarking on a life reset in my late thirties, your reflections reminded to come back to the present and appreciate the beauty of being able to live my unlived life in the present moment, of finally letting myself be a writer (after decades of stringing words together for other people’s purposes) and a creative who is living life on my own terms, in continued exploration of another part of the world.
Thank you for this piece, Priya! ✨
Suyin, I couldn’t have said it better! Thank you for reading and sharing! I look forward to collaborating with you!