volume eighty-nine

i still really love lists

This week’s volume is based on a writing prompt I did on New Year’s Eve, and found in a journal. It is written as a list and in some cases, I have added some present-day thoughts and reflections. I LOVE LISTS! Enjoy.

Prompt: Muscle Memory

• Packing a suitcase (something I am doing today as I write this, adding the last-minute bits and pieces as I use them for the last time before I use them for the first time at my next location)

• Cuddling my toddler niece

• Picking up a pen

• UNO (I hate to lose because I almost always win)

• My skincare routine (SPF 50 thank you)

• Cleaning a bathroom (something I did last night ready for departure)

• Making toast (a favourite meal that requires no thought)

• Looking up during fireworks (and protecting animals when applicable)

• Long walks to nowhere

• Downward facing dog

• The lyrics to a song that makes me soar or crumble (as I type this a live version of Scar by Missy Higgins plays and I am transported back to year 7 and when I first converted to Triple J, had “Do I want to be with her or do I want to be her?” thoughts, Rage Saturday mornings watching music videos, and ultimately in this song found my go-to karaoke jam)

• Raising a glass (how very NYE of me to add this)

• Turning on the first lamp upon waking

• Washing the dishes as I cook (not after!)

• Breaststroke (no matter how long it has been since I was in a pool)

• Checking my phone (the icky but still real item on this list)

• Decorating a Christmas tree (and neatly packing everything away for next year)

• Getting to a new space and setting up my journals next to my bed (as well as my battery-operated alarm clock on top of them, my notebook next to my laptop after I find the spot that will be my writing place, my skincare lined up in the bathroom in order of my routine…)

• Removing my shoes as soon as I get to my accommodation after long travel (and curling my toes into fists on the carpet just like John McClane did)

• Singing to plants as I water them (and almost always that being something from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack or The Beach Boys for some reason)

• Writing lists (I really, really like writing them)

• Removing my shoes, belt, hat and jacket at airport security (already starting to do so in line so I am not that person holding everyone up)

• Mute and unmute (a skill most learned in lockdowns)

• Peeling the page between my thumb and finger before I have made it to the end of reading the one I am on (so into the story my fingers are already excited for the next part)

• Checking my calendar for the first thing in the AM before turning off my phone

• Applying under-eye concealer (with the soft tap of a clean pinky or index finger)

Lovely reader, what does ‘muscle memory’ bring up for you?

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I spend many hours a week writing, recording and preparing these love letters for you and it brings me so much joy. I want these to always be free so in order to support my work and keep these coming at no cost, you can:

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here are three things I struggled with this week:

🥫 Trying to eat all the food I have left on this house sit because I am terrible at estimating what I will need for six weeks.

🐔 Leaving my chookies. I love these girls and I will miss chatting to them every day.

🧸 Knowing I am going back to Gordy and Moo’s and Gordy won’t be there. He will be in his new home, which is what is best for everyone, but still breaks my heart.

here are three blessings from this week:

☀️ My first Digital Sabbath Sunday was amazing. Truly perfection.

💗 By the time you read this I am reunited with Nanny!

🎙️ I recorded one of THE most exciting episodes of my podcast to date. I am thrilled for you to hear it and see who it is with!

here are three goals for the coming week:

🍁 Prepare for my Citizenship interview for Canada this week! I have been invited to the next, next step. So many steps! It will be so worth it!

🎨 Inspired by my pal, Jo’s recent post on finding her ‘painting’, which for her meant clay, I want to find my painting/clay. I think I know it is my silly drawing in my sketchbook and I just need to squash the fear of it being anything more than joyful and kick away self-doubt to enjoy it for me and me alone.

🧘 Continue to practice (the best that I can) the power of a pause.

here is something I enjoyed this week: 

Have I shared this with you already? If so, who cares, I am sharing it again. For folks who sit at your desk all day, this is my fav. If this isn’t for you for any reason, this is just a reminder to find a way to break and move that works for you <3

pics or it didn’t happen:

went for a walk and Vicki, the volunteer guide told me all about native plants and flowers, most of which are only found in WA. this was the view from the top.

I love you. I’m so grateful to those who read my substack 🧡 because I really love writing it to you,

LD

xoxo