Dear Musers
This week I am back at my desk reminding myself about what I do while tidying up after the two-week residency in Perth, three-week roadtrip from Darwin to Broome and four-day retreat. My feet are firmly planted on the ground for a little while, which feels good.
After six weeks of being a transient person, I have (mostly) unpacked. My suitcases are away (other than the one that still spills writing craft books on my office floor) and my computer is back in its rightful place on my desk.
This week, I am like a cat circling the house and garden, touching things, noticing the things that have changed, and things that have stayed the same. Wintered plants needing pruning, dead flowers in a vase, blackbird-pecked holes in the mulch, bulbs flowering, thirsty indoor plants, bare fridge, overripe oranges in the fruit bowl.
Our house is emptier than usual. My youngest is travelling around Europe with his Motorsport team for three months as they compete on the European circuit and my middle son is doing a month-long nursing placement in Ballarat. It has made me think of all those years when they were younger and how I longed desperately for time alone, for a silent house so I could think and write and now I have it, there is a hollowness to it. Suddenly our house feels huge! I’m not sure I’m ready to be empty-nesters. Already, I haven’t seen my youngest for longer than ever. He left the day before we arrived home from Broome and won’t be back until the end of August. I’ll miss his twenty-first birthday, like we missed our eldest’s when he was in Mildura on placement and we were trapped in Melbourne during that first year of lockdowns.
When I travelled to India for three months as a twenty-year-old, my parents had to wait for my aerogrammes and I hoped they were home when I lined up to call them for an incredibly short call that was interrupted with beeps and crackles reminding me of the thousands of kilometres between us. Now, we get regular updates from our offspring when they travel. Messages, phone calls, photos. It’s much easier to stay in contact, to have real-time updates, but I wonder if something is lost in this hyper-connectedness.
Once again, at my latest writing retreat, I was privileged to hold space for five wonderful writers. Each retreat is unique, and that is one of the things I love about it. I learn about everyone’s ways of writing and their projects. I witness moments of breakthrough when coaching or facilitating a writing workshop. What an absolute joy! This retreat ran over the solstice and full moon and we had a super frosty morning (-3o!) and were treated to ice-covered grass, deck and outdoor furniture. There’s nothing like an invigorating walk in the morning!
When I pulled into my street after dropping two participants home from the retreat, I saw my older two sons’ cars parked in the street. Joy-filled, I backed the car into the driveway and ran inside. My middle son was meal-prepping for his week of placement ahead, but my eldest was not there. He was in QLD, but – they told me – he would be home soon before heading back home in country Vic.
Oh, my heart was full as the four of us ate dinner together before they heading back to country Vic. It’s the simple things.
Other things
Retreats and workshops
Upcoming retreats
The August and October retreats are full, but you can go on the waiting list! There is one place (just opened up) for the December retreat. Email me if you want to lock time away for your writing.
Creative Writing Workshop
Next month I return to the Kensington Neighbourhood House to facilitate the Creative Writing Workshops. I’m thrilled to be back as it is where I began developing my writing beyond scribbling in notebooks and writing for the local paper. I love working with writers and providing them with skills to improve their writing. Keen to join?
New courses coming
I’m launching some new offerings soon including virtual retreats and regular writing workshops. Interested? Fill out the Expression of Interest Form.
Coaching
My coaching books are open for a short time. I mostly work with creatives and small business owners and would love to help you live the life you love.
Since beginning coaching with Meg, I have noticed a steep incremental shift in mood, I’m hitting all of my targets and am achieving more contentment
- Adam G, Maker
Would you like to gain some clarity, move past a state of overwhelm, eliminate limiting beliefs?
Book in a time for a strategy chat to see if I can help you.
Meg’s coaching sessions have been really helpful for me. I was highly successful in my career but found myself giving much less time and energy to my more fragile creative pursuits. I’m now equally invested in these - both are passions, but am really feeling the joy of watching the creative projects blossom and grow.
- Karen McKnight
Reading
Between Husbands and Wives by Susannah Glenn – I read an uncorrected proof as Susannah was at my retreat last weekend. It’s a great debut with all the page-turning joy of a good read and a fantastic plot twist. It comes out on 30 July and is available for pre-order now
Current reads/listens are:
The Years by Annie Ernaux – I’ve nearly finished and am really loving how it feels like watching slides of time since 1940
Maggie’s Going Nowhere by Rose Hartley – funny and snappy. Set in Melbourne and is a great listen
Watching
Baby Reindeer – wow. That was a lot
Latest season of Colin from Accounts – great joyful Aussie humour
I do need some recommendations! Drop in comments below something you have loved watching recently.
Five things
Kindness is easy and it starts with ourselves.
It’s knitting season and I’m madly trying to finish my scarf that started as a Stephen West MKAL (mystery knit along). After that I’ll finish my quarter-made socks and start something new. I’m at the point where I’m playing yarn chicken* with the scarf. How do you keep your hands warm during winter?
I love this quote from Mary Oliver that Maria Popova posted on Instagram today.
We often get stuck or overwhelmed when working on big projects. A great thing to remind yourself about is that it’s not about getting it right, it’s about getting it started.
Coming home this time, I really missed Bella (maybe because the house is so quiet), but getting another dog still seems to early.
Thank you dear Musers for reading and stay warm.
Til next time
x M
*yarn chicken is hoping that you don’t run out of yarn before finishing the project
Enjoy the time at home. I’ve just finished watching Borgen on Netflix. It’s a series based in Denmark about a woman who navigates politics and family. I really enjoyed it.