I’m not sure I’m ready for 2022. I really didn’t have any plans for the start of the year, but I can still say things haven’t gone to plan so far.
I’m just not ready yet to embrace that New Year energy. That set intentions and make resolutions kind of vibes. I’m still moving at a snail’s pace out of 2021. And I’m okay with that, I think.
There’s an irritation there a bit, as I was hoping to turn a corner into 2022, and have everything thought out and a clear path forward. But who am I kidding? You need to put in the work for that to be the case. And for the last few weeks of 2021, I was on my knees.
One good thing so far this year is the Studio Notes went out. Later than expected but still out. Detailing a family emergency. You can read it here andsign up for the future editions, usually once a month here.
Happy New Year everyone, and I mean it as life is too fucking short and difficult to not wish for happiness most of the time!
After a really busy November, I was looking forward to a quiet December. It has been a slower pace to last month, but there has still been deadlines and events that I’ve needed to prepare for and attend and reflect on.
So past mid-December already, and I just feel as if I can slow down again now. But I say this but I must have been resting in some kind of way because I went back to my art journaling practice yesterday.
My art journal practice is different to my visual journaling practice only in the fact that I use fewer words and these Black women always seem to show up in the midst of the page somehow.
Here we have another one, who showed up yesterday out of the darkness that was developing on the page. And isn’t she delightful. She’s got a twinkle in her eye and a wish in her heart.
To be in the studio yesterday, playing on the page, I even completing a handmade zine which will be on display in the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, was a joy and much needed. As it signalled to me that I’m back to listening within. That I’m back to creating for me and just for the hell of it. That I’m coming home.
Thank you, Sheree. Now continue to rest. And create.
So close to my bleed but not quite there yet. Feeling the heavy but with grace.
Warming up after the sea. Rain and wind and lots of seaweed.
But I so so love it.
I’m going to be coming here more often from now on as I check out of all my social media account and focus on my internal landscape and what needs to come out.
I’m so looking forward to sharing my journey with you.
This journey of healing is never ending. But so appreciating the process.
Give me love any day of the week. And I’ll give you the core of me.
I’m not sure when the last one was. I can’t even say I’ve been on a hiatus or even a sabbatical. I just haven’t been communicating all that well with the people who want to hear from me.
I think I’ve been wasting my time and energy trying to communicate with people who don’t give a flying fuck about me and what I have to say.
So things are changing around here. Well not really around here, more so with social media and pouring my time and energy into a black hole.
The first of November marks the return of Studio Notes which will be hitting your in boxes every month from now on. So if you’re not on the list, get thee here and sign up.
I have a plan you see. I have a topic or issue I’ll be addressing each month. As you might have guessed, this month was all about my imminent departure from social media.
Here’s a snippet of my justification for leaving:
“
Social Media doesn’t make me a nice person to myself.
I become resentful. I compare myself to others. And I criticise myself for not doing enough, not sharing enough. I want to be authentic and honest on social media but sometimes I have to ask what is the truth and am I just performing on their for likes and comments and followers?
And most of the time, it’s just all overwhelming.
I know when I’ve had my breaks from social media, I’m calmer, more satisfied with my life and more centred.
It’s quieter and in the quiet I can hear myself better, clearer.
And more importantly, I create. I create more and create more without fear. Without worry or doubt or judgement.
I’m interested in knowing and feeling what I could create when I’m not distracted by social media. When I’m not constrained by social media.”
I hope to hang out a lot more here come 2022. I hope to see you here too. Thanks for being here.
Other events offered as an alternative to the Future Landscape Programme that will run at the same tine at COP26 in Glasgow, will provide diverse voices to the environmental and conservation movement and makes those all important links between the local and global in terms of the climate crisis.
I’ll be hosting a conversation with Sarah Hussain and Serayna Solanki
Through their projects and research, both Sarah Hussain and Serayna Solanki are providing spaces for marginalised communities and people of colour to engage with nature as a means of changing the narrative around who has a say in the Climate Change Movement. They are working within education and research, community and organisational partnerships, to create and highlight dialogue around climate justice through personal and community storytelling.
Join me , as host again, with Jo Clement and Zakiya McKenzie for a reading and discussion of literature which explores place, environment, belonging and identity as both writers read from and talk about their recent collections.
Grace Hull created Green Grace Soul to share her journey to living sustainably in a holistic way. Grace attempts to balance the food she eats, the products she uses and the things she buys with the most beneficial outcomes for her health, the health of the planet, and the others living on it.
Sustainable living and Climate Change activism have many faces, and by centring holistic sustainability Grace engages with intersectionality and the social and historical context of climate change through the reflections of her journey that she shares on her website, podcast and DIY projects.
This will be a keynote lecture followed by a Q and A.
You might not know it but I’ve been writer in residence for Northumberland National Park. It was part of a project called Black Nature in Residence.
Led by identity on tyne, four Black writers were in residence across the North-East. As our time comes to an end, we’re ready to share about our experiences.
Come join us for an evening of words and images at our online showcase. Thursday 28 October, 6.30-8pm.
Living Wild Studios 