Hello dear readers!
Stepping into these fresh pages of Substack, I’d like to start by extending a very warm welcome to all new subscribers and express my sincere gratitude to those of you who subscribed...erm, a while back!
Despite my best intentions to launch "The Stories We Are" back in 2023, my body and mind soon after shut-down because of an overwhelming combination of chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and a cocktail of prescribed medications intended to manage my spinal injury. It's fair to say that this left me with few words for daily conversations, putting an immediate stop to any notions I had of writing sentences for this newsletter.
Photo©Helen Errington | Why does toast taste better in hospital?
Fortunately, in November 2023, I had my long-awaited spine surgery which I’ll be forever grateful for. Recovery is slow, but everything is steadily starting to feel possible again—I'm getting back on my feet and have rediscovered my love of words, whether that’s with pen and paper, typing away on the keyboard, recording numerous ‘must-follow-up-on-that-idea-later’ voice notes, or simply being tucked up with a good book (or two, or three, or four!).
Yes, words are back in my life and that feels great!
In the interim between launching this newsletter and today, I’ve received far more subscribers than I’d allowed myself to ever expect. Despite my professed love for words, I find myself unable to adequately articulate the positive impact this made on my then numb and dormant mental state. Each new subscriber notification allowed me to believe that I must have something worthwhile to share; each notification infused me with a reason for pushing through and getting myself better again.
So, please, know that when I started this post by thanking new and old subscribers (that's you), my gratitude is sincere and deeply heartfelt. Your endorsement means the world and has truly contributed to pulling me back from a most desperately dark and isolating space.
What do I bring to the table for you?
🌟I have one aim: to share with you my tried-and-tested tools of “Mindful Memoir Writing” to support you as you safely excavate and write your life narrative(s); without—where trauma was experienced—becoming re-traumatised.
🌟In addition: I’ll support you in nurturing a confident writerly mindset by sharing my Mindful Mindset tools, helping you overcome the obstacles that might stand in the way of your writing.
🌟For those exploring genres other than memoir? My mindful writing methods can be a gentle way to navigate around writer’s block, ease procrastination, and quiet the negative thoughts that sometimes keep your words from finding the page. They’ll help you connect more deeply with your writing and stay aligned with any creative goals.
Newsletter content will be as varied and inclusive as my abilities allow.
My hope is that, as I get to know you and your writing projects better, I'll tailor the resources, tools, and prompts to fit the different stages and hurdles of your writing journey.
Ultimately, my wish is for this space to be a source of inspiration for you, where you feel supported, encouraged, and free to write your truth. Whether you're working on memoirs or exploring other genres, I hope my mindful practices will guide you in telling your story while bringing a sense of peace and fulfillment to your writing process.
Together, let’s use the power of our words to bring both the light and the shadows of our stories to life.
Here’s to meaningful writing, personal growth, and shared stories that connect us all!
I’m very excited to be on this writing path with you.
Until next time,
Helen xx
That toast picture brought back a visceral memory of my own time in hospital post-surgery.
I'm enjoyed this post and am looking forward to reading more!
I look forward to your sharing your expertise, Helen, especially in regard to writing about traumatic events. Understanding how to negotiate this challenge effectively will be key for me. I appreciate your spirit of generosity. Thank you.