Your words offer a well-written reminder about noticing the value in so many of the little things in life we can tend to take for granted or assume aren't important when they truly are.
Love what you've been writing about and was really interested by this experience you shared ... after I mentioned the "funemployment" thing I began thinking that this also relates to the way we see aging in our society. Like it's celebrated to take time off to just make your art when you're young ... but there's this fear/stigma/ about irrelevance people have around aging ... I wonder if when someone is negative about you spending your time knitting and reading and gardening it's because of their own fear around that - like that they really want to just enjoy their lives in that way but are afraid of "what it means" about them. Just thoughts. Continuing to mull ...
Yes, I think there is something of that about it. People whose whole identity is wrapped up in their paid employment/careers, who have put every waking moment into work, I think struggle to conceive of time spent doing something that isn't at least related to that - hence the consultancy/board directorships/etc that they often move into after retirement. I think it's about the perceived status that they are unwilling to forego. I think this is particularly acute in some health care professions - not only is the perceived status an issue, but also the need to have the recognition that goes with working in those fields. It's worthy of a PhD study for somebody!
I know historically men have often struggled a lot in retirement because of feelings of purposelessness - with studies related to depression/suicide confirming this. I wonder how much, if any, research has been done into how it's affecting women now that we've reached an era when women with big careers are also in/approaching retirement? Interesting complex stuff, for sure.
Not only were your sci-fi picks interesting (and spot-on with your different view bringing value), but you're also helping out so many authors who folks might want to read. Well done!
Thank you. I appreciate that. It was good for me, too, to remember that actually I do like things that are outside of the normal range of things I typically follow/read/watch/discuss.
I could come up with an embarrassing list of reality tv and crime dramas :) I could come up with a great list of women's memoirs. But it was really fun to stretch myself in a new category!
Well, feel free to reach out to me if you want me to step outside of my comfort zone in a similar way. I'd be happy to talk about those subjects too. LISTS!
I'll probably tag you in next week's post even if you're not gonna do another piece here, but mainly so we can keep the conversation going. I like this idea a ton.
Your round ups are always such a gathering of magic, and I am so honoured to have been mentioned in the same breath as so much of this wonder! Now to go explore the eleventy new tabs I just opened up from this post!
Oooh! Another beautiful list; and so many articles I’ve bookmarked to read over the weekend. Especially June Irving’s post because that’s goals for me, and everyone around me seems to think I’m crazy for wanting to just kick back and enjoy life. Thank you for including me in this list of truly stellar writing!
Riches abound! I will certainly be checking into Michelle Richmond's piece; she touches on themes I'm always interested in. Thanks!!
Enjoy!!!
What a fantastic list! I’m new to many of these writers and am going to add to my reading list. Thank you for making me part of it!
Hope you find lots to love. I'm thoroughly enjoying your hero's journey writings. <3
Save the cheerleader, save the world!
lol. Thanks for that. Makes me feel like one of the cool kids after all :)
Bloody loved Heroes back in the day. The Heroes Reborn series that came much more recently was maybe a little ill-judged though.
Haven’t seen that one 🤷🏻♀️
Unless a super-fan, I wouldn't bother.
Another beautiful list! Thank you for including me. I agree with everything you wrote in response to my words! 🌸
Your words offer a well-written reminder about noticing the value in so many of the little things in life we can tend to take for granted or assume aren't important when they truly are.
Oh, thank you! That means so much. ❤️
Love the emphatic YES!! In agreement to my piece 😄 thank you Kathryn!!
Another amazing collection you've put together here. Very much appreciated
Sometimes I have something smart to say in response and sometimes you've said it so well that YES!! is all that's appropriate :)
I love your round-ups, Kathryn, the work you put into them is obvious. And thank you for mentioning me. x
Love what you've been writing about and was really interested by this experience you shared ... after I mentioned the "funemployment" thing I began thinking that this also relates to the way we see aging in our society. Like it's celebrated to take time off to just make your art when you're young ... but there's this fear/stigma/ about irrelevance people have around aging ... I wonder if when someone is negative about you spending your time knitting and reading and gardening it's because of their own fear around that - like that they really want to just enjoy their lives in that way but are afraid of "what it means" about them. Just thoughts. Continuing to mull ...
Yes, I think there is something of that about it. People whose whole identity is wrapped up in their paid employment/careers, who have put every waking moment into work, I think struggle to conceive of time spent doing something that isn't at least related to that - hence the consultancy/board directorships/etc that they often move into after retirement. I think it's about the perceived status that they are unwilling to forego. I think this is particularly acute in some health care professions - not only is the perceived status an issue, but also the need to have the recognition that goes with working in those fields. It's worthy of a PhD study for somebody!
I know historically men have often struggled a lot in retirement because of feelings of purposelessness - with studies related to depression/suicide confirming this. I wonder how much, if any, research has been done into how it's affecting women now that we've reached an era when women with big careers are also in/approaching retirement? Interesting complex stuff, for sure.
What an amazing collection of work you have dug into here, Kathryn! Thank you for reading and sharing my work :)
Thank you for consistently writing inspiring work that I truly feel compelled to share with others.
Not only were your sci-fi picks interesting (and spot-on with your different view bringing value), but you're also helping out so many authors who folks might want to read. Well done!
Thank you. I appreciate that. It was good for me, too, to remember that actually I do like things that are outside of the normal range of things I typically follow/read/watch/discuss.
Same! "Drama" isn't exactly my forte, but I'm sure I could come up with a list.
Plus: lists are kinda fun!
I could come up with an embarrassing list of reality tv and crime dramas :) I could come up with a great list of women's memoirs. But it was really fun to stretch myself in a new category!
Well, feel free to reach out to me if you want me to step outside of my comfort zone in a similar way. I'd be happy to talk about those subjects too. LISTS!
Ooh yes we could do something fun with this!
I'll probably tag you in next week's post even if you're not gonna do another piece here, but mainly so we can keep the conversation going. I like this idea a ton.
"But I'm just a cheerleader"
:) “just”. Pshaw. 🤪💙💙
Your round ups are always such a gathering of magic, and I am so honoured to have been mentioned in the same breath as so much of this wonder! Now to go explore the eleventy new tabs I just opened up from this post!
I do tend to cause people to overrun their open tabs 🤣
😂
Oooh! Another beautiful list; and so many articles I’ve bookmarked to read over the weekend. Especially June Irving’s post because that’s goals for me, and everyone around me seems to think I’m crazy for wanting to just kick back and enjoy life. Thank you for including me in this list of truly stellar writing!
Kick back! Kick back! It's like life in a permanent warm bath!
Happy to have you here and hope you connect with June's writing <3 <3