This is THE best kind of post ... and it makes me SO happy to read it. I am self-conscious and always imagining what 'other people think'. We should all let that go a little more! Brilliant. Great write up. Happy for you. Happy 2024. Dance like no-one is watching. I will if you will
I love this Andrei. It reminded me of the book Daring Greatly by Brene Brown which is all about, well, daring greatly and just going for it. She talks about the tendency that people have to tamp down their joy, which is something that I thought only I did, and how the cure for it is just gratitude, to be grateful for happy moments instead of extinguishing it in order to prevent ourselves from being disappointed later. I know this was not the point of your piece but it just reminded me of it. Cheers to the new year Andrei!
I have a sign with that specific cliché, and have also followed through with it a few times, either by myself, with my cats, boyfriend, etc. To dance in your own way, without a care in the world, is the most freeing thing! There’s a song by American country singer, Lee Ann Womack, called “I Hope You Dance”, and it is one of the most beautiful songs on this planet. She wrote it for her daughters when they were young, but it’s a “song of the ages” (in my opinion)😊
That was amazing! You put my bullet point year in review post (coming out tomorrow) to shame! Time to revisit that draft (if only to add a link to your essay). All the best for the new year!!!
I missed this when you first published! Your "Start Here ⚾️" post brought me here. First, I don't know why you chose アンパンマン (Anpanman) for the photo, but I'm glad you did.
Second, what an honest post. It's clear from the comments many of us can resonate. I've been thinking for a few years now—what even is "normal" anyway? Only a social construct. And one that aims to rob joy because of its impossible standards.
As a young ballet dancer, I used to always dance through the grocery aisles. I must've stopped once I reached my teens, and now my social anxiety has me sweating just walking *into* the store. I hope for the sense of freedom I once experienced to return again. Or at least some age-appropriate measure of it.
Thank you so much for reading! Why did I choose that photo? I try to not use Unsplash if I can find something more intimate, but this one I really liked, mostly because the colors and vibes fit the piece. And yeah, what is “normal” anyway? I find that it’s only an ever-shifting standard that we never seem to get right, because it isn’t meant to be attained. So I say screw that!
—You mention your wife right away. This signals to me that you're letting me all the way in, not just trying to impress me with grand thoughts or skillful words.
—I found myself three times wanting to respond to your sentiments (Yeah, I feel the same! or, I do that too!)
—I was interested in what happens next, right from the first line
—It's vulnerable and not patronizing, not didactic. This is probably the most important point to me and in my writing; to not come across as the wise one who is teaching his ignorant inferiors but, rather, as smart but humble, and simply willing to share what happened to me and what I learned from it. (I guess I'm talking about non-fiction essay form here)
—It's difficult to balance writing about common everyday things like shopping or walking in the woods with the insights received from such. You've succeeded I think
This is the first post of yours I've read but I liked it enough to subscribe, and look forward to more! Thank you.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I always try to write from the heart, and really be honest (first and foremost, with myself) about how I feel or felt at the time the events took place, and that helps ground myself, I think.
This is THE best kind of post ... and it makes me SO happy to read it. I am self-conscious and always imagining what 'other people think'. We should all let that go a little more! Brilliant. Great write up. Happy for you. Happy 2024. Dance like no-one is watching. I will if you will
Well, I will! I definitely will. Thanks for reading!
We're in. Stand by for tales of a couple dancing in a French market!
Can’t wait!
I love this!
I wish more people would let go and dance.
Play music at home and dance. If you're walkin' and you hear music from a car passin' by, dance, even if it's a li'l jiggle.
😍😍 yes, great thoughts. A beautiful kind of living.
Yes!
OH Neena, I WILL IF YOU WILL!!! C.R.
Cynthia, I do a li’l skip, click my fingers, dance a bit. I once saw my cousin doing it and I thought, hey, why not?
WE ARE DOING THIS!!!
YES!!
A pleasure I enjoyed it you made me smile 👍
Great stuff letting it all hang out! I think if I tried it though I’d probably have all the shelves down. Good on you and your wife👍
Thanks for reading, Mick!
I love this Andrei. It reminded me of the book Daring Greatly by Brene Brown which is all about, well, daring greatly and just going for it. She talks about the tendency that people have to tamp down their joy, which is something that I thought only I did, and how the cure for it is just gratitude, to be grateful for happy moments instead of extinguishing it in order to prevent ourselves from being disappointed later. I know this was not the point of your piece but it just reminded me of it. Cheers to the new year Andrei!
Cheers, and thanks for reading! I’ll check out the book.
I checked out the book too!! TY!
That is so beautiful, my friend! I have a feeling 2024 is going to be a glorious year for you, and with this infectious post, for us all! 🎉💕
Raising a glass to us all! 🍷 May your year be filled with more joy, more success, more meaning, and less pain than ever before, my friend!
That is such a lovely toast! Wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, love, laughter, support and success! Thank you for your friendship!
hope you have more ideas to challenge our boring lives!!!
A joyous post, thank you, Andrei. Even when I saw anxiety and supermarket together, I had a pinch of worry!
Haha, sorry about that. I can see how that combination might signal a darker turn. I’m glad you enjoyed the actual thing, though!
I have a sign with that specific cliché, and have also followed through with it a few times, either by myself, with my cats, boyfriend, etc. To dance in your own way, without a care in the world, is the most freeing thing! There’s a song by American country singer, Lee Ann Womack, called “I Hope You Dance”, and it is one of the most beautiful songs on this planet. She wrote it for her daughters when they were young, but it’s a “song of the ages” (in my opinion)😊
Link to the video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw
I shall listen to it forthwith!
Freedom found in a grocery store. Who knew?
Who, indeed?
That was amazing! You put my bullet point year in review post (coming out tomorrow) to shame! Time to revisit that draft (if only to add a link to your essay). All the best for the new year!!!
Appreciate the mention! And I’m so glad you enjoyed! All the best!
HOPE YOU'VE STARTED A MOVEMENT!!!
Hope so too!
You are fabulous & Your Wife is very lucky!!! Hooray for you!! I'm reading this to my hubby & hoping....
Haha thank you Cynthia!
Yassss! Dancing in public spaces is wonderful. ♥️🔥🕺
Yes!
I missed this when you first published! Your "Start Here ⚾️" post brought me here. First, I don't know why you chose アンパンマン (Anpanman) for the photo, but I'm glad you did.
Second, what an honest post. It's clear from the comments many of us can resonate. I've been thinking for a few years now—what even is "normal" anyway? Only a social construct. And one that aims to rob joy because of its impossible standards.
As a young ballet dancer, I used to always dance through the grocery aisles. I must've stopped once I reached my teens, and now my social anxiety has me sweating just walking *into* the store. I hope for the sense of freedom I once experienced to return again. Or at least some age-appropriate measure of it.
Thank you so much for reading! Why did I choose that photo? I try to not use Unsplash if I can find something more intimate, but this one I really liked, mostly because the colors and vibes fit the piece. And yeah, what is “normal” anyway? I find that it’s only an ever-shifting standard that we never seem to get right, because it isn’t meant to be attained. So I say screw that!
wish i was there when you spread your wings & flowed with the music!!! Bless you!!! LOVE YOU FOR THIS!! C.R.
This is nice writing. May I say why I think so?
—You mention your wife right away. This signals to me that you're letting me all the way in, not just trying to impress me with grand thoughts or skillful words.
—I found myself three times wanting to respond to your sentiments (Yeah, I feel the same! or, I do that too!)
—I was interested in what happens next, right from the first line
—It's vulnerable and not patronizing, not didactic. This is probably the most important point to me and in my writing; to not come across as the wise one who is teaching his ignorant inferiors but, rather, as smart but humble, and simply willing to share what happened to me and what I learned from it. (I guess I'm talking about non-fiction essay form here)
—It's difficult to balance writing about common everyday things like shopping or walking in the woods with the insights received from such. You've succeeded I think
This is the first post of yours I've read but I liked it enough to subscribe, and look forward to more! Thank you.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I always try to write from the heart, and really be honest (first and foremost, with myself) about how I feel or felt at the time the events took place, and that helps ground myself, I think.
Let it rip! Be you!
Thanks for reading! And may you do the same.