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In the equestrian world we call that, “giving the horse its face”, that moment when you let go. I come from generations of horsemen and women. That’s about the wisest thing I’ve ever heard someone say to apply to their own life. It’s always the right thing to do for both rider and horse. This was a truly wonderful interview; thank you!

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Oh, I love that! Yes, so wise. Glad you enjoyed the interview. 🌸

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Maybe I'll write a craft book with that title! Thanks for reading.

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When it comes to goals, the thing that’s helped me the most is setting a new one immediately after the first one failed.

I don’t give myself time to wallow or think “oh well, I guess I can’t do it”

I pivot to a new plan right away.

That means a lot of pivoting (so much) but it holds the hopelessness at arms length

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I so related to that! I'm a goal pivoter, as well. Beautifully put about keeping the hopelessness at arm's length. Yes! Which can be quite healthy and comforting. Lately, I am also, at times, allowing breathing space around certain let downs just to feel them more before moving on. It's feeling a little easier on my (often overly wound) body!

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Ohhh, the part about avoiding other people's wisdom rings so true for me right now. I realize there has been such a long amount of time where any time I would start to look inward, I'd get scared and would look outward instead ("hey guys, what should I do???"). Looking inward is making me feel so much more grounded and sure in the world. Yesterday I was getting donuts and fully half of the other people also getting donuts refused to choose flavors, telling the (terrified-looking) teenager behind the counter "Oh, you know, red velvet, molasses, that sort of thing, whatever, you choose." And maybe it's because I'm particular about donut flavors that it surprised me, but it also seemed like a remnant of this current internet vibe of not trusting ourselves to make our own decisions.

Mostly though I'm here to say I also got a galley of Interesting Facts About Space and I loved it so much, and there is one scene in particular that I still laugh about whenever I think about it.

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I agree with the part about avoiding other people's wisdom. Of course, at certain times it's just what we need, to listen to others. But you are so right, we basically need to trust ourselves to make our own decisions. As for donuts, I just go with the colour; brown or pink.

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It's such a great book! Thanks for sharing and reading.

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I love what you wrote here! And that's so true about getting scared when looking inward so asking what to do! Haha. I've been there and sometimes still am. Laughing out loud about the terrified teenager serving up donuts! I'm particular about mine, as well.

Oooooh, looking forward to reading that book!

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"I hadn’t been particularly nice to this person back in high school or middle school—we were in different social circles—and I will forever be grateful that she rose above that to offer me shelter and friendship when I really needed it." moved me resonates

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Thank you for reading!

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well it gets harder every year thank god for 4x dollar store reading glasses

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Yes! That really moved me, as well!

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Sep 11, 2023Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

So much great stuff in here! Gosh, that book deal falling through must have been horrendous! Funny how some of the awful things that happened to us in our 20s turn out to be blessings in disguise!

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Totally. But it STUNG.

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So true! If only we knew that then!! 😺

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Two of my favorite writers--Jane and Courtney--in one place! A wonderful interview, thanks, both of you for the honesty and freshness of the questions and the thought-provoking answers. I especially loved the story about your first book, Courtney, and how the heartbreak turned out to be something better. When I look back to my twenties (living in Paris then too!) I realize how much I didn't know about everything, how much I needed--but rarely took--advice, and how today I weigh advice much more carefully. Great post! Thank you.

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Thank you, Mary! I know....we think we're so on it in our twenties. Haha. And in certain ways, we are! But, ah, the wisdom of age. Glad you enjoyed it! I love Courtney's answers so much! Oh, and how wonderful you lived in Paris!

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Paris. I miss it. It's changed a LOT. But it's still . . . Paris!

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Thank you for reading, Mary!

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