Happy birthday! I love this birthday present to yourself and it sounds like it’s bringing you the joy you intended - FABULOUS! I’m also in Canada and read your letters with great interest, just as devoured your misplaced style on tiktok
I am so often in a similar boat. I start something with lots of joy and enthusiasm, and then wham! Back on the hospital roundabout, stuck with needles and cannulas, at best, I get to drive an IV pole, though more often than not, washing machines confine me to the dreaded bed. The world becomes black & white, and every ounce of my being is channelled into the discharge quest. Finally, home, it still takes ages before colour starts to seep back into my life and then even more time before I have the creative energy to write, edit, draw and publish. Even worse, the voice that never stops tells me repeatedly what a failure I am, how I start but never finish - you know all the BS we tell ourselves.
But this year, I have decided to be kind to myself AND to protect my precious energy from the energy drains and toxic vacuums that crowd our lives. I have chosen to nurture my tiny creative spark as a mother protects her child and allow that spark to grow however it wants. One avenue of creativity aligns with yours. I am staring into a future of having to wear bags and tubes all the time, requiring a resetting of my whole life, especially my wardrobe! No more waistbands or fitted trousers - so the Georgia O’Keeffe mood board is an excellent place to start as I reimagine my wardrobe.
So, your quest to find your misplaced style profoundly resonates with me.
My heart feels for you; Long Covid is horrendous. Take care, and above all, be kind to yourself. I look forward to getting to know you better in the months ahead. Xx
Happy Birthday, Amelia. I hope the coming year brings you joy and pleasant surprises large and small. I'm in the Yukon, Canada - about as far away as I could be but you cross my mind often. When I hadn't seen you online for a while, I was concerned. Like many who identified so closely with your misplaced style quest, I hope only the best for you; I wish you a return to strength, to a normal that feels worthwhile to you, and optimism. We're all here pulling for you from afar. Here's to many more happy birthday celebrations, and I'm keen to see more of the new thrifted wardrobe ideas.
Deborah - thank you for those lovely words. It never ceases to amaze me that two people from opposite sides of the earth can connect over a simple idea like dressing ourselves. Thank you for kind wishes.
Hang in there. I’ve been there, I’m further recovered than you, but I know what it feels like. You will get there. The UNSW team can help you manage. https://www.fatigueclinic.unsw.edu.au/
Thank you for finding the energy to share your life with interested internet peeps like myself. I just recently thought about how much I’d love to act on my Up-cycled Wardrobe Restyle project but don’t know where to start as I find op shops too overwhelming. I also thought if you and wondered how you were going. I didn’t know anything about the boxes! I wish you all the best for your birthday and your continued recovery.
Thank you Claire. Op shops *are* overwhelming! I always end up buying something I don’t love just because it’s the best thing I saw that day. My calibration gets wonky after looking at so many items at once!
Happy birthday! I love this birthday present to yourself and it sounds like it’s bringing you the joy you intended - FABULOUS! I’m also in Canada and read your letters with great interest, just as devoured your misplaced style on tiktok
Thank you Tara. It is bringing me joy. Retail therapy is real, even if problematic...
Good to see you back friend. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Amelia!
I am so often in a similar boat. I start something with lots of joy and enthusiasm, and then wham! Back on the hospital roundabout, stuck with needles and cannulas, at best, I get to drive an IV pole, though more often than not, washing machines confine me to the dreaded bed. The world becomes black & white, and every ounce of my being is channelled into the discharge quest. Finally, home, it still takes ages before colour starts to seep back into my life and then even more time before I have the creative energy to write, edit, draw and publish. Even worse, the voice that never stops tells me repeatedly what a failure I am, how I start but never finish - you know all the BS we tell ourselves.
But this year, I have decided to be kind to myself AND to protect my precious energy from the energy drains and toxic vacuums that crowd our lives. I have chosen to nurture my tiny creative spark as a mother protects her child and allow that spark to grow however it wants. One avenue of creativity aligns with yours. I am staring into a future of having to wear bags and tubes all the time, requiring a resetting of my whole life, especially my wardrobe! No more waistbands or fitted trousers - so the Georgia O’Keeffe mood board is an excellent place to start as I reimagine my wardrobe.
So, your quest to find your misplaced style profoundly resonates with me.
My heart feels for you; Long Covid is horrendous. Take care, and above all, be kind to yourself. I look forward to getting to know you better in the months ahead. Xx
The tiny creative sparks are worth nurturing x
Happiest of birthdays to our favorite style icon. We’d read your grocery lists if you posted them!
Happy Birthday, Amelia. I hope the coming year brings you joy and pleasant surprises large and small. I'm in the Yukon, Canada - about as far away as I could be but you cross my mind often. When I hadn't seen you online for a while, I was concerned. Like many who identified so closely with your misplaced style quest, I hope only the best for you; I wish you a return to strength, to a normal that feels worthwhile to you, and optimism. We're all here pulling for you from afar. Here's to many more happy birthday celebrations, and I'm keen to see more of the new thrifted wardrobe ideas.
Best, Deborah
Deborah - thank you for those lovely words. It never ceases to amaze me that two people from opposite sides of the earth can connect over a simple idea like dressing ourselves. Thank you for kind wishes.
dear amelia, internet stranger here to say - we understand. take care of you. you are important and we will be here when you can write. best - v
Thank you Vanessa x
Hang in there. I’ve been there, I’m further recovered than you, but I know what it feels like. You will get there. The UNSW team can help you manage. https://www.fatigueclinic.unsw.edu.au/
Thank you for finding the energy to share your life with interested internet peeps like myself. I just recently thought about how much I’d love to act on my Up-cycled Wardrobe Restyle project but don’t know where to start as I find op shops too overwhelming. I also thought if you and wondered how you were going. I didn’t know anything about the boxes! I wish you all the best for your birthday and your continued recovery.
Thank you Claire. Op shops *are* overwhelming! I always end up buying something I don’t love just because it’s the best thing I saw that day. My calibration gets wonky after looking at so many items at once!
Happy Birthday. I wish you energy & strength for your projects. I’m glad you’re back.
Thank you x
Those Bode petal stream trousers made from an old quilt are delicious.
Agreeeeeee