I needed this week's newsletter so much. I just elected to take a gap year after finishing my undergraduate degree next Spring, because I was feeling so lost and so much pressure about my own life path. My central theme is connection and people--I was looking at being an elementary teacher, but in California it's a rough time to be in education. I feel like every job I'm interested in is so separate from the rest, and I'm not sure what to do, so I'm just screaming internally for now.
I especially connected with your tips for talking with someone who is in despair. As someone who is disabled, I get tired of being told I'm strong, and would love being told that "I hate that you have to be so strong right now." That would be so validating!! Thank you for all of these tips <3
Taking time off will be so nourishing for your path, even though I know at the moment it might feel disruptive. You are doing the best thing for you and for the precious souls you'll touch in the future. <3
When I was really sick, my priest sent me this email which I've treasured and shared so many times (so I have to give her credit for this line!):
"Later today, I'll go walk on the beach. I'll pick up shells and throw them back to the sea and imagine you back in wholeness and health in that body of yours. Walking through hell is easily romanticized as what gives us depth and strength. You of, course, already have more of that than most people have in their pinkies. I hate that you're having to be so fucking strong right now."
MARI! i'm a 24 year-old sloppy joe of a person right now whose calling and skill is communication. couldn't believe the parallels of what you wrote. i'm a waitress right now, looking to apply to a theology grad program. holy shit. if you ever feel like writing about how you made sense of all your passions and callings, know that you have at least one eager pair of eyes reading!!!!! wow.
Yes beautiful name!! :) Oh man I forgot to add that I also considered seminary...a few times! For a few different reasons! Honestly I don't think I've made sense of my passions and callings yet--I interned as a hospital chaplain in 2021 because I thought I'd switch careers....I still have so many things I'm interested in and want to do, and writers basically have to reinvent their careers every couple years which feels like going back to the very beginning! I DID talk a lot about my "career path" on this podcast episode though :) https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/mari-andrew/
My life at 31 is radically different than what I pictured as an 18- 22-year-old in the 'creating a life trajectory' group. I had no idea what I was doing despite how it may have looked on the outside. I put so much pressure on myself to design the 'perfect' life that I wasn't even enjoying it. I still have moments of grief over the plans that never came to pass, but I am so grateful for where I am now. A place that I didn't even know existed back then! Keep taking things 'one sparkle at a time'! ✨✨✨
I needed this so much. Appreciate you Mari. Over the last few weeks, with surgery, ER visit and many other things with sweet baby Sammy, I would have loved to hear, “I wish you didn’t have to be so strong right now.”
I also have a children’s book idea where I want you to be the illustrator :). Ha;).
Hi Mari, how do I talk to someone I have to physically restrain myself around so I don’t punch them in the face (I.e. someone I am angry with / dislike)
MmmMM! Who needs a big Thanksgiving dinner when you just dished up this big yummy slice of helpful pie?! I've also read the one about the fact that 'people really are thinking about you' and as cringe as it is at first, it's a great north star to behave like decent, caring human being. I look forward to listening to "Are Those People the Problem?" Anyway, this piece is one to pull off the shelf year after year—so many wise and helpful gems. THANK YOU! And have a lovely, scrumptious, restful holiday weekend!!
Thank you for your lovely, tender and relatable thoughts. Multiple times while reading this I laughed aloud which is a welcome feeling these days. Your shared thoughts are a gift.
What are the fees for the June writing retreat in Wyoming at Paintrock Canyon Ranch?
As soon as I read that writing about 'place' will be the mission, my mind went in a million different directions about what that word means to me.
I thought about the place where I grew up, the place I'm living in now, what being by the water means to me, the places I've worked and the place that I want to end up when I retire someday. I mean I could go on and on..
This retreat sounds inspirational, healing but above all, transformative! And Wyoming! Could there be a better place to dig deep and allow myself to explore just how much 'place' resonates with me?
Thank you for getting me excited for the summer on a rainy PNW morning! :)
Ohhh you've given me even more food for thought as I sculpt this retreat into something concrete as it's existed in an abstract, dreamy idea for so long!! Thank you!
I will have the registration page and info up very soon (or check ranchlands.com) but I know it will be far more pricey than my usual retreats, which I hate. I really wish I could do them all for free! It's out of my control and I'm taking as little commission as possible!
Whether you can or can't come, it sounds like you have so much to share and I so encourage you to start journaling all the million directions your mind went!! Ahhhh I want to read it!
another wonderful out of the blue newsletter! you always make me laugh and smile, AND I just love your ART work (those people on the subway!!!) and that chart of good friends and better friends---your imagination and creativity is always radiant and colorful---thank you for sharing and wishing you and Mr. Mari a joyful and healthful thanksgiving xoxo
Thank you SO much my dear Kimberly, and I hope you had a lovely and soulful Thanksgiving as well! Thank you for appreciating my little subway doodle heheh :)
I swear she reads my mind (and makes it coherent) in these newsletters every. single. time.
I needed this week's newsletter so much. I just elected to take a gap year after finishing my undergraduate degree next Spring, because I was feeling so lost and so much pressure about my own life path. My central theme is connection and people--I was looking at being an elementary teacher, but in California it's a rough time to be in education. I feel like every job I'm interested in is so separate from the rest, and I'm not sure what to do, so I'm just screaming internally for now.
I especially connected with your tips for talking with someone who is in despair. As someone who is disabled, I get tired of being told I'm strong, and would love being told that "I hate that you have to be so strong right now." That would be so validating!! Thank you for all of these tips <3
Taking time off will be so nourishing for your path, even though I know at the moment it might feel disruptive. You are doing the best thing for you and for the precious souls you'll touch in the future. <3
When I was really sick, my priest sent me this email which I've treasured and shared so many times (so I have to give her credit for this line!):
"Later today, I'll go walk on the beach. I'll pick up shells and throw them back to the sea and imagine you back in wholeness and health in that body of yours. Walking through hell is easily romanticized as what gives us depth and strength. You of, course, already have more of that than most people have in their pinkies. I hate that you're having to be so fucking strong right now."
^^^^ This was from me hehehehe
MARI! i'm a 24 year-old sloppy joe of a person right now whose calling and skill is communication. couldn't believe the parallels of what you wrote. i'm a waitress right now, looking to apply to a theology grad program. holy shit. if you ever feel like writing about how you made sense of all your passions and callings, know that you have at least one eager pair of eyes reading!!!!! wow.
Yes beautiful name!! :) Oh man I forgot to add that I also considered seminary...a few times! For a few different reasons! Honestly I don't think I've made sense of my passions and callings yet--I interned as a hospital chaplain in 2021 because I thought I'd switch careers....I still have so many things I'm interested in and want to do, and writers basically have to reinvent their careers every couple years which feels like going back to the very beginning! I DID talk a lot about my "career path" on this podcast episode though :) https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/mari-andrew/
My life at 31 is radically different than what I pictured as an 18- 22-year-old in the 'creating a life trajectory' group. I had no idea what I was doing despite how it may have looked on the outside. I put so much pressure on myself to design the 'perfect' life that I wasn't even enjoying it. I still have moments of grief over the plans that never came to pass, but I am so grateful for where I am now. A place that I didn't even know existed back then! Keep taking things 'one sparkle at a time'! ✨✨✨
Also, I LOVE your name!
wow yeah that resonates. thank you <3
I needed this so much. Appreciate you Mari. Over the last few weeks, with surgery, ER visit and many other things with sweet baby Sammy, I would have loved to hear, “I wish you didn’t have to be so strong right now.”
I also have a children’s book idea where I want you to be the illustrator :). Ha;).
So so good. 😭
Hi Mari, how do I talk to someone I have to physically restrain myself around so I don’t punch them in the face (I.e. someone I am angry with / dislike)
When I dropped out of college I had the EXACT same experience about annoying strangers. I’ve never had a single original thought, huh?
MmmMM! Who needs a big Thanksgiving dinner when you just dished up this big yummy slice of helpful pie?! I've also read the one about the fact that 'people really are thinking about you' and as cringe as it is at first, it's a great north star to behave like decent, caring human being. I look forward to listening to "Are Those People the Problem?" Anyway, this piece is one to pull off the shelf year after year—so many wise and helpful gems. THANK YOU! And have a lovely, scrumptious, restful holiday weekend!!
Oh I just love this! Slide of helpful pie!! :))
Thank you for your lovely, tender and relatable thoughts. Multiple times while reading this I laughed aloud which is a welcome feeling these days. Your shared thoughts are a gift.
Loved this piece
Hi Mari,
What are the fees for the June writing retreat in Wyoming at Paintrock Canyon Ranch?
As soon as I read that writing about 'place' will be the mission, my mind went in a million different directions about what that word means to me.
I thought about the place where I grew up, the place I'm living in now, what being by the water means to me, the places I've worked and the place that I want to end up when I retire someday. I mean I could go on and on..
This retreat sounds inspirational, healing but above all, transformative! And Wyoming! Could there be a better place to dig deep and allow myself to explore just how much 'place' resonates with me?
Thank you for getting me excited for the summer on a rainy PNW morning! :)
Ohhh you've given me even more food for thought as I sculpt this retreat into something concrete as it's existed in an abstract, dreamy idea for so long!! Thank you!
I will have the registration page and info up very soon (or check ranchlands.com) but I know it will be far more pricey than my usual retreats, which I hate. I really wish I could do them all for free! It's out of my control and I'm taking as little commission as possible!
Whether you can or can't come, it sounds like you have so much to share and I so encourage you to start journaling all the million directions your mind went!! Ahhhh I want to read it!
another wonderful out of the blue newsletter! you always make me laugh and smile, AND I just love your ART work (those people on the subway!!!) and that chart of good friends and better friends---your imagination and creativity is always radiant and colorful---thank you for sharing and wishing you and Mr. Mari a joyful and healthful thanksgiving xoxo
Thank you SO much my dear Kimberly, and I hope you had a lovely and soulful Thanksgiving as well! Thank you for appreciating my little subway doodle heheh :)
When will you be in Boone again for another retreat? I’d love to attend and participate!
I sure will!!! May 17-19, 2024!