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Mell Darlington's avatar

Glad you worked your way out of the depths with hard manual labour. x

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alice-ann hoefkens's avatar

The garden and work are such a tonic. I have enough wherewithal to get out and get in. ❤️

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Sophie's avatar

I was having this day on Sunday, felt very irritated with myself and everyone around me. I'm better to be on my own on these days! Also don't think horrible thoughts about yourself or pasts.... I can only think of joyous things about you, your accomplishments, and how you've lived xx

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alice-ann hoefkens's avatar

I think more people than we imagine will identify with this Substack. It’s hard to put a finger on it precisely but it’s very real when it happens. Your kind words are gonna sustain me next time. I’ll remember your memory not my own. 😘

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Helen Bainbridge's avatar

So honest and relatable Alice xx

"I read beautiful words and question why I write… when there are so many whose skill on the page outstrips anything I might produce. Then I’m reminded of something another writer coined, I write to ‘clean my mind’. ‘Tilling the soil’ and emptying out what is found and needs to surface."

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alice-ann hoefkens's avatar

Thank you Helen. I realise for something to have any integrity at all, it has to come from an authentic place. Think this kind of subject still has a taboo around it. The fear of being pitied, not trusted, even regarded with suspicion is very real even in these enlightened times of mental health awareness. I thought I could share my experience as a way of saying “yes, we’re complex, made up of many parts, but that’s fine.’♥️

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