This is for all the late bloomers...plus where does one find a room of one's own to write
This time of year always put me in a commencement speech frame of mind, however, this time, I’m going to dedicate mine to all the late bloomers 🌻
I was sharing with a friend a while back that sometimes I feel like Renton in Trainspotting. You remember, the Scottish heroin addict played by Ewan McGregor who walks away from it all at the end—the drugs and the crime, the loser friends and the bad behavior.
“I’m cleaning up and I’m moving on. Going straight and choosing life.”
Now I was never THAT bad, but I wasn’t great either. And it took a big butt-kicking from the universe to finally turn that corner and become the bright, passionate, try-hard, 100% engaged with her life, team-playing little Miss Sunshine who stands before you. 😍
That turning point started around the time I turned 40, and well, I’m well past that now. I’ve got a thriving business, a book that’s launching next spring and more friends and passion projects than I have time for, though I’m desperately trying to keep up.
I know there are some people reading this who are waiting for the best part of their lives to begin. Who are hovering on the edge of their next chapter, wondering if they should take the chance and try their hand at the biggest change of their life. Who are wondering if it’s worth it. If it’s too late, especially to start over.
While I would never encourage you to do anything reckless, I do want to be that little whisper in your ear that says, maybe you still can. 💫
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that WE CAN rewrite our stories. We can choose to tell a better one that better serves us. We can imagine a different ending. We can be the hero of our journey, even if it feels like you’ve been riding in the passenger seat for FOREVER.
Now I won’t lie and tell you that you that it’s easy or that it isn’t scary. Or that you can author your life and have it turn out exactly the way it does in the movies—or the way you hoped or imagined.
Because I know better than that. I know how stories can take on a life of their own. And that part of the reason for that is … our stories are connected.
But when you look back at your life, I hope you’ll see all the stepping stones that led to the greatness that’s STILL in store for you. You may be standing on one right now.
So, look. Listen. Tune into your inner ear. Ask questions. Be curious. Consider the possibilities. And have the courage to wonder, What if I did?
What if you did.
Cat xo
A room of one’s own
I’ve been talking about a room of one’s own lately with my authors—an idea that author Virginia Wolf popularized through her essay of the same name, which advocated for women’s intellectual and financial freedom to tell their own stories.
Indeed, WE ALL as writers and artists need a room of our own to create—whether that’s a secluded cabin in the woods, the pinnacle for so many (if you should be so lucky). Or joining the 5am club, as I have done, to get to my writing before the world—and my kids—begin scratching at my door. It can be a walk in nature, a bench by the lake, a table at your favourite coffee shop or your local library.
It can even be a relationship—if you’re as lucky as I am to share your life with someone who is willing to give you the space to dream, play and explore.
With summer upon us, the sweetest season if you ask me, I hope you find some time and space of your own to create. To play, dream and explore.
As for myself, I’ll be creating my own time/space separation, and you can expect to hear a little less from me over the summer. Fewer newsletters, events, workshops and webinars, as I step back to enjoy more of my kids (hey, one can try), tackle my next manuscript and do a little dreaming, playing and exploring of my own.
In the meantime, seize the day :)
Have you signed up?
Since this may or may not be the last newsletter of the summer (I’ll be riding by the seat of my pants, so we’ll see!), I’m going to share one final call to action.
As you may/may not know, I’ve created a separate newsletter for my upcoming book Again, Only More Like You.
I know it’s not for everyone so I won’t be spamming you with details about it if you’re here for the writing tips but not for women’s fiction.
But if you’re looking for book recos, love book club/women’s fiction and would also like to see how I go about launching my own book to help you market yours one day, then please do subscribe so you can get those updates.
I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses on my journey to the book store, sneak peeks at my book and I’ve even got some fun surprises and exclusive giveaways in store.
You’ll just have to sign up to find out :)