23 Comments
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Maria Hanley's avatar

Amen! I, too, have a voice that says, "Who do you think you are, thinking you can write a novel and that anyone will read anything you write?" I remind myself that's not the point. I write because I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing at this point in my life—channeling any residual orange-slice energy (I never actually sliced oranges, but I know the competitive snack vibe), growing out my grays, and running with that gut feeling to write, write, write. I cannot solve the world's problems, but if there was ever a time for more empathy, understanding, and processing of our world, this is it.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

"Processing the world" ❤️

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

So well said Catherine. To put writing out into the world is to throw a baited fishing line looking for a bite of connection. I connected with this. Thanks.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I appreciate the comment!

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Pam Johnston's avatar

"We admit it: we never liked Pinot Grigio or those moms with orange slices at the soccer games, wearing cute outfits and make-up on a rainy Sunday at 8:00 am." OMG, those moms! I was such a messy-haired outsider in those days, but they smiled politely and tried to pretend otherwise. It's a relief to be in midlife now, with grown kids who turned into fabulous adults (despite the lack of orange slices.)

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

LOL! Happy to meet you.

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Alana Kirk's avatar

This. Herstory was untold for most of human ‘his’tory and now it’s time. Normalise women’s lives and we start changing how women are seen… and what’s possible. I sometimes think I’m writing into the void but then I think even if that’s true the mere act of writing helps me process my life and show others that their feelings and thoughts are normal… as Seamus Heaney wrote..: my pen is my sword

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Yes, yes, yes, and yes!

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Kim Druker Stockwell's avatar

Love, this Catherine: "Look. We’ve stopped pretending we wanted that job, that marriage, those bullshit expectations to shut up and smile..." There is something really nice about looking at the next generation and saying..."ok, Yours! I'm done with that bit now."

I think the idea of sharing our stories is a confirmation that we aren't alone and we aren't making it all up. This is a restart button phase of life. and ...who knew?

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I hope the next generation's B.S. detector is more highly tuned than ours! 😝

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Leanne Phillips's avatar

Love this so much, Catherine.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Aw, thank you!

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Gemma Amor's avatar

I love this!

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thanks Gemma!

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Ali Lopez's avatar

Yes! I'm also a older white lady living in the land of Bernie, Ben and Jerry :) And this....

"When I started writing (mostly personal essay and memoir), the voices in my head whispered, “No one cares,” and “Who do you think you are?”Then I published, and I heard something else: Thank you. Thank you for sharing your story."

Exactly what happened to me... keep writing and sharing...

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thanks Ali!

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Tamara Foster's avatar

What a siren call!

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Like the mermaids calling the ship captains, not without risk.

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Tamara Foster's avatar

Indeed but as any shop captain that chooses to follow, well worth it ☺️🌊

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Molly Senecal's avatar

I love this. "Work hard. Be brave. Believe."

I am trying, but I am also tired, and peri-menopausal, ha.

I am also reminded of something that Dr. Clarissa Este said, that we were made for these times. She used the analogy of a great ship and how great ships were not made to sit in quiet, idyllic harbors. They were made to brave the storms, the rough, the dangerous.

Thank you for this post - I see you, my friend. 💜

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank YOU for the comment. Women are resilient. We’ve learned how to weather storms.

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Celine Keating's avatar

Lovely post - thanks for the pep talk! I often have to remind myself that writing is not frivolous and that in fact it's the written word that gives me sustenence - so clearly it's important and necessary.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I had to remind myself!!

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