This blog has moved .. see you at the new place!

I have moved this blog to www.clairesewell.com with more of an emphasis on a business blog rather than a personal blog. See you there :)

Inching closer to a degree

I am now studying for the two last degree exams. Over the weekend I was delighted to receive 78% for my assignment - that gives me 30% towards the 51% I need to pass the paper. I'm getting there slowly. I can't wait to no longer need to devote time to study and work on my new Cherish book instead. All in its own time.

Reinvent yourself

I have to confess - I love tweaking my life, so when I saw that DailyOm.com were offering a 4 week course titled "Reinvent Yourself' - I was in!

This week's exercise was:

If you could look your best, what would you look like? What would your hair look like? What kinds of clothes would you wear? How about your makeup (if you're someone who wears makeup)? Your posture? Your vibration, your vitality? Let's just say it's a new you. What does this new you look like? Is there a person in the media or someone you admire that you'd like to look like? Why?


If you could be at your best vibration, what would that vibe be? What would people say about you? Would you be energetic, imaginative, funny, fun, vibrant? Or quiet, wise, noble, gracious?If you could be living your best life, what would your days be like? What would the people in your life be like? Would you keep your old friends? If so, who? Would you make new friends? What would they be like? Would you associate with your family, or try to distance yourself a bit? Would you move away? If so, where would you move to?


What are the qualities of your new life? How do you FEEL most days?

My response to these questions largely centered around being drawn to, inspired and influenced by all things natural: wearing natural fibers, organic shampoo and household products, and eating more vegetarian based meals. So already I have cleared my bathroom of non-natural products and have replaced them. Next is converting my wardrobe to natural fibers and colours. I've been meaning to cull my clothes so this is the perfect opportunity to be spring-like and out with the old - in with the new.

From book concept to cover - in one week

I need to focus on studying for my last two Psychology exams, but I'm sure I'll find a few minutes each day to add to the new book, even if it's just notes and ideas. By mid November I'll be free to really get stuck into writing.

Cover image and title of book #3

These both feel like a perfect fit. I love the process of pulling a book together. Usually the title and the cover come last but hey, I'm open to new ways of being creative:

How to Cherish Yourself as a Grown-up

New book in the making

I have begun a third book, tentatively titled: Self-Parenting: Creating a safe and nurturing life. Here is a snippet ...

Why You Should Read This Book

In my 20’s I remember asking my mother why, when I visited my parents’ home, their house was full of happy, safe, familiar feelings. It was as if the very molecules within the atmosphere of their home were full of nurturing and support. In comparison, the molecules in my flat seemed cold, empty, and uncaring. I wanted to change this. I wanted to learn what it was that made such a difference in the two abodes.

I went back to my flat and added a few pot plants. It made no difference. I wanted to infuse my flat with emotional warmth. I wanted it to look homely. I added ornaments. I added books. I added music. Nothing seemed to make a difference.

I’m 44 this year. Now I get it. It’s not the material things per se that make a difference. Sure, to have your prized and treasured possessions around you is a wonderful mirror to remind you what you love and value. But the molecules within the atmosphere are made of love. Love for others and love for self.

We can’t control other people - they may leave us through relationship breakdown or death. Sometimes other people are less available to us, due to time pressures and their own emotional needs.

We can fill our lives with molecules of self-love. We can care for ourselves and create a degree of safety so that we flourish instead of wilt and stagnate. We can do this by becoming our own nurturing parent.

This book explores how you can do that.

The new

When I write

Before I had written a book, I used to wonder: "How do writer's write?" I read creativity books looking for a single insider's gem that would illuminate the secret knowledge that only 'real' writer's knew and were blessed with.

I was too impatient to do writing exercises found online or in books.

I was too impatient to read books of popular authors.

I was too impatient to read about technique.

What I discovered was - words live in me. Sometimes I use my creativity, intuition and intelligence to work through a plot idea, or to craft a sentence, or to edit later on in the process. But for the most part, I simply write the words that live in me. I ask my guides to support my writing, then I start typing and it all comes out. That's my process for writing when I loosely know what the scene is about.

http://www.clairesewell.com/

http://www.clairesewell.com/

This website is a culmination of all I know through battling depression, spilling my heart and mind on blank pages, and going deep within to discern what my soul gifts are.

I hope I can be of some light to other soul travelers.

A soul whisper

This morning I heard a soul whisper. You know the ones - a grain of truth that reverberates you to the core with its simplicity.

For the last decade (which, let's face it, is a long time), I've worked my butt off to become a self-employed therapist. I had visions of listening deeply, to the sound of soft background music, being paid to work from home.

Recently however, I concluded that this path is not working for me. I had the realization that I'd rather write about psychology and spirituality than directly practice it.

Today my soul whisper asked this:

"What if ... you had success with writing. Would you still want to be a therapist?"
The quick and resolute answer was: "Writing is my first love."

I see my path more clearly now.

A fine balance between studying and doing

Next semester (July) I begin the somewhat arduous task of completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. I have two third-year papers to complete. I am interested in people: their feelings, their difficulties and their successes. But the psychology degree itself has been rather dry and boring - and a lot of tedious essays.

The most inspiring and fun papers I did were some of the electives. I took a Speaking paper. I wanted to prove to myself (and the world) that I could do it. One of the exercises was to stand closely, face to face, with a complete stranger and hold a gaze with their eyes for 3 whole minutes - it seemed like forever. We weren't allowed to talk, smile, fidget or stare. We weren't allowed to be judgmental. We just had to hold the gaze. It was super challenging but oh so rewarding!

Once I have my degree out of the way, I can delve into Media Studies/English papers.

I'm looking at it as I have to eat my veges (Psychology papers) before I can get to the yummy dessert (Media papers).

Part of me wants to be fully immersed in learning new material and becoming more media savvy. But the other part of me realizes that it takes time and energy to write. For me, I need to know that there is nothing else on the horizon, such as uni papers, to interrupt my writing. I'm not sure if I can study AND write at the same time.

On my to-do list is a film script which realistically might take me 2 years to complete, and a non-fiction kindle book on creating a life beyond loss.

Let's see if I can manage it all - in small chunks each. I'm going to try.

New short story now available on Amazon's Kindle store

My first work of fiction is now available on Amazon's Kindle store. Out of Alignment, is a short story about a woman in her mid-thirties who needs to decide whether to have children or follow her artistic passions.

Go on - take a peep. 

Details

I haven't worked on my short story, Out of Alignment, for a couple of weeks now. I am satisfied with the editing that has been done. I'm also satisfied with the dialogue and plot. Now I need to add details - information that lets the reader know where my characters are, and what they are experiencing. I have a challenge before me because this is not my strongest ability. I'm almost ready to take a look at the manuscript again. Not yet, but soon. Now I know it's ok to leave a manuscript aside for a while - it doesn't miss me, it doesn't change when I'm not looking at it, and it doesn't rot.

Sneak preview of my short story cover

My delicious new cover arrived in my inbox today from fiverr.com. My short story, Out of Alignment, is about a creative woman in her mid thirties who must confront the choice to have a family, or to follow her own needs. I love the womb-like swirls and the beautiful representation of Ava's biological clock.

Layers

I'm 43.  I've wanted to be a writer since I was 7.

I thought that writers were the most clever of all artists, for the way they create subtle layers (now I'm older and much less single minded - I think all creativity is a blessing). I created my first layer last week. And it was so important to me that I got teary. A tear or two of happiness - of pure joy, satisfaction and reward.

My layer was simple and unplanned. It just happened.  Simple layers that connect one part of the story to another. Little signposts that say to the reader: "See, we've been here before." I think that's what I like most about creating layers - that it brings me together with the reader - we're both experiencing them for the first time. And that's special.

Maybe I could plant the gorgeous Wedding Cake Layer tree in the new garden I'm establishing? As a nod to the art of creating layers. And as a nod to how long I've wanted to create them.

Cornus Controversa - Wedding Cake Layer tree