Dear Self – July 2024

At the end of every month, I usually share a review of the month with a Dear Self post and at the start of the month, I share Word of The Year based theme for the month ahead. I’m pausing on the theme post for this month and doing a combination post, so pardon me if this post is long.

Dear Self – July 2024

Dear Self,

Your first reaction to an Emily Dickinson poem was a mixed bag. You thought she was trivial and wondered what the hype was. It was when you were doing your MA in English Literature that you really appreciated her poems, admire her spirit, love her sarcasm, and laugh at her mockery of the rules of polite society. “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself” was what she wrote in a letter to a friend, trying to describe how it felt for her to move into a new house.

I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.

– Emily Dickinson

And that quote truly defines what you did in July and what you see yourself doing through August – looking for yourself. No, you’re not lost. You’re simply honing down on what drives you, what you’re passionate about, what you want to focus on. And how you can make your life and the lives of those you’re connected to more meaningful.

Four Word Reflections

Continuing with the practice you started last month, you’ve chosen these four words looking back on July.

While you chose ‘play‘ as your theme for July, you did not do many of the exercises you planned. But you played games and relaxing, watching some good movies and interesting serials.

In the first half of the month, you enjoyed all your practices and reading more about The Power of Daily Practice (affiliate link) gave you much food for thought. In the second part of the month, you’ve been struggling with your Morning Pages. Not wanting to force things, you’ve given yourself a break from them for about 15 days. You discovered a new way of being mindful through the day, as suggested by Valerie Woerner . You will soon write about this in a post about the various kinds of notebooks you use.

Your weekly writing sprints with Sunita Saldhana have been something to look forward to and make you feel connected and inspired. Sunita also introduced you to a coach, and it’s good that you will have accountability as you go looking for yourself! 😉

Reconnecting with a cousin last month was good and her to your pebbling list keeps the connection going. You’re also enjoying being connected to Anamika Agnihotri on Duolingo. She’s learning Japanese and is light years ahead of your attempts to learn Spanish, but the accountability this brings is good.

You’ve also become more active reading some outstanding writers on Substack and these women have certainly kept you inspired!

Life once again threw some minor setbacks your way, but you’re learning to take them on the chin and move forward. As always, you’re blessed to live with two interesting and loving souls – José and Lucky! Both of them make you laugh (and grumble in parts!) and keep you grounded!

You have much to look forward to in the special month of August. Stay mindful, reflective, but play and smile more!

Love, always!

Corinne

Looking Forward To August and My Theme

August is my birthday month, but for the last 7 years it brings a bit of sadness to it. On my birthday in 2017, my mother was in a coma, my father forgot it was my birthday, and neither of my brothers thought to remind him. I tried to celebrate with the family that year, but it was quite a hurtful experience. By the following birthday, both my parents had passed. We went to Goa for a brief holiday, but not before stopping in Bengaluru to see my uncle, who was dying of cancer. The doctors diagnosed it at the end of July, but there was no hope. It was the last time I met him. I can truly say that he was the only member of my family who cared enough to understand me. That I am moved to tears while writing this is a testament to how grief is something we never get over. (You might like to read Louisa Wah’s post on Substack – Grief is Fermentation and I’m turning into Kimchi)

These are some pictures I took during that break – some at the hospital too.

Beauty and grace find their way to us in the most difficult of days as well. The idea is to be mindful and learn to be intentionally present in the now. That is my theme for August.

I’m attempting to pay more attention to things happening within me and around me, and will keep posting pictures and sharing words on Instagram, on Substack and here.

I thought these words via @herinnerglo on Instagram summed things up for me!

She didn’t know what to pursue in
her life right now.
So she decided to pursue herself.
She decided to become the
healthiest, happiest, most healed,
most present, most confident
version of herself.
Then suddenly the right path
revealed itself to her.

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