Am I Really Qualified to Give Life Advice? (Rhetorical)
I mean, the answer to that question is obvious to me: yes AND no.
As this whole post demonstrates!
A couple of months ago, back in June, I drafted what's below. I was in the middle of many life events that required attention, and I noticed something that helped me.
CAVEAT: The below advice is not for everyone. Lots of people struggle with the particular things I mention. But what I was doing helped me, and EVEN THOUGH it's not for everyone and EVEN THOUGH it's not groundbreaking or earthshattering or especially original, I decided to offer it in case a reminder helped someone else.
And then I didn't post it.
Which, course...par for, at that time.
In any case, here's what I said at the time.
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| maybe someday I'll draw this |
Life advice: do the thing
We’ve had an eventful 2026 so far—nothing major or interesting, nothing out of the ordinary for anyone but us.
I’ve had a very minor medical procedure and got some bug after that, and recuperating has been slower than I have wished.
One way I’ve managed is to do the thing. Just the one thing.
Take the shower, even if it’s late in the day and you’ve been out mowing or chainsawing or even just out for a walk. It can feel like a big commitment but I always feel better after.
Similarly, I’ve recently noticed that entering the kitchen in the morning (not my sunniest time) is far better when I’ve actually done ALL the cleanup from the previous night. I still don’t always do it, but I’m making a little more effort to do it, because it’s usually about five minutes instead of the Big Deal I think it is. And the results are so nice.
My husband’s go-to is to make the bed. He credits that one act with getting him through many difficult days.
In relation to writing, Jami Attenberg, novelist and author of 1000 Words (along with the #1000words community) suggests “touching” your work every day, in some way. Her substack newsletter, Craft Talk, is excellent.
I’ve found that just opening the document is that one thing I can do; words are right there, calling characters into the world, and I’m part of it. Obviously, just opening a document, even tinkering or reading as well, isn’t going to get the novel written. But it primes my mental pump to solve issues.
Anyway. Put your slippers away; hang up your bathrobe. Put lotion on clean feet and cover them with clean socks. Do one thing—see, you can make a difference!—and see how it feels. You mileage may vary, and that’s fine, too.
Happy summer: lilacs and mosquitoes and ducklings, berries for pies and cobbler, calm-water mornings and evenings. For all of us, I wish.
^^^^^
Back to September Marion: We had plenty of blueberries this summer, and now I'm looking ahead as autumn tiptoes in. Trying to be grateful for the season. Taking showers and cleaning the kitchen (most of the time). And watching the sunrise move slightly southward, day by day.