March 30 and I've let go of all my systems to help me Slice well this month. No Sunday specials, none of the appreciation posts I'd hope to do, no cadence. But I did sit down, write + post, and comment, too, with just one more day to go.
Tonight seems like a good time to reflect back on the writing month.
- I'm not writing here with the depth or length that I'd hope to. This might be because I'm doing so much other writing in my life that requires me to sit and push out just-right words; my stamina's depleted when I get to "my" writing time. It may also be because my head and heart are very distracted in my volunteer & activism work/world. I will admit that Slicing can (does?) feel frivolous when democracy is crumbling, we are at war, and some neighbors are scared (and hungry, and sick with worry). (And: some neighbors are cluelessly making dinner reservations, planning vacations & learning pickleball (and sometimes - I'm the one planning vacations and struggling to figure out how to find joy in a country that is imploding and harming so many folks as it burns.)) I do believe that writing about joy begets joy, but on many days, I'm looking for another kind of fuel, so I'm in "fake it til you make it" mode. (But I do want my glimmers, my joys, my reviving. I'm muddling here, I know it.)
- Comments. Are. Everything. I love getting comments, working to respond to them all, and writing responsive comments to all of you. I love when someone connects with a moment or a shares a feeling. I love a shout out for a cool structure or language that resonates. And I re-learn, every single March, why meaningful feedback matters so much to writers. This year, I'm thinking hard about if AI can truly replace human connection; will AI say "Oh, I remember feeling that tug when my young adult children called?" (I think not!)
- My reading life & writing life are intertwined. That doesn't surprise any of you, does it? I'm reading way more articles, Substacks and news than books, and my own notebook doesn't have as many beautiful sentences or favorite words as it has in years past. The books I do read show up (On Tyranny - 5 times in the past 6 months!); conversely, when I'm not reading enough poetry, I don't write enough poetry (this month - case in point - only a handful of poems). I think I need a process reset and will invest in a new readers/writers notebook, a hard cover book with grid paper and an attachment for a pen. I am taking a poetry writing class with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer next month (so excited about this: https://www.poeticmedicine.org/summit2026), and new tools are a source of joy and energy for me.
One big change from past Slicing years for me: in the past, I shared this blog with not. one. person. And now, I have told a few folks that I try to live a writing life. Shared a few Slices with those who made a small moment happen so precious. Sent an invitation to folks in February, and I know some of my friends & clients may be reading this now. I still don't write with enough clarity or skill to use this space in a big way. But in a small way, I can come back to the page here. Re-read years of my life, ideas that entered and stayed, moments that would flutter away if not tethered here, people and pups and poems that mattered then and matter now. Thanks to Slicing with you all in March, and on Tuesday, I am leading a writing life. Thank you, thank you for being a part of it.
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