Bloom and Grow turns one✨💕🌸
What a year and journey it’s been ✨
I have sat down so many times with a great deal of determination to write about Bloom and Grow turning one. However, each time a different narrative, tone and starting sentence appeared concerning how to write this post. I found that as soon as an idea arrived, it disappeared just as quickly. It’s been hard to put into words a journey that began a year ago, the many ups and downs and the fact that when I began I was in such a different place to where I am now.
A year ago leading up to Bloom and Grow, I was quite lost. To put it frankly, I had lost myself and who I truly was, Substack and Bloom and Grown entered my life just as things were starting to turn around. I was gaining strength in who I was and what I wanted. I had realised I had shut out so much, and this opportunity to write and be a part of this community appeared just as I needed it, like a lighthouse guiding me to safety away from the rocks.
When I hit my six month milestone last October I was at peak creative flow, I had quit my job, attended an acting course, read, wrote and worked on myself. Six months on and I feel more philosophical about the whole process, I feel that things have settled and Bloom and Grow is now a part of my everyday life. Writing has given me so much, and I feel happier and calmer.
I have shared deeply on here, sometimes I feel scared that I have revealed too much, but then I do find that when you write openly deeper connections appear. We are more alike then we think and go through the same experiences in different guises.
Each week that I publish, I never actually know what the next week will bring. Sometimes I can have the next idea already floating in my head as soon as I have scheduled a post, and I am eager to start on the new piece. Other times, I can get to Monday and have no idea what on earth I am going to write. Sometimes something presents itself so strongly that when I initially start to write, it feels like a pouring out of my subconscious. Other times it can seem really hard and when I know something is not working, it feels awkward and painful.
As time has passed my writing techniques have changed, I initially wrote on Notes on my phone and then transferred them to drafts. But now I find myself using an array of techniques, including physically writing things down on post-it notes, in note pads and writing straight onto a draft. I also email myself a copy of it, so that I can read it at my leisure and make adjustments before it goes out.
I also check grammar and spelling a bit more carefully now (however things still may be grammatically incorrect or spelt wrong—you would never guess that I got an A grade in my English Language and English Literature exams sometimes lol) I have also found that if my mind is relaxed I can write more freely, so that has also been an important revelation. If I spend time in nature or by the sea, a moment of clarity can hit me and I suddenly know what I want to write.
Alongside writing, I have also subscribed to many brilliant Substack publications and the exposure to new ideas, pieces of excellent writing, poetry, books, films, and recommendations has really widened my horizons. I feel that I have learned a lot and that ultimately all these things have become a part of me and my writing journey.
I can’t quite believe that this post will be my 45th published piece of writing on here, it seems very surreal, joyous and emotional. I think if you told me a year ago this is where I would be, I’m not sure I would believe you.
I feel lucky that I have been able to create something in a community that by and large seems a safe, open and encouraging space. I hope that Bloom and Grow continues to evolve and that the journey will continue to teach me things along the way.
Thank you to those who have been with me since the beginning and those that have joined me along the way. I am very grateful that you took a chance on Bloom and Grow.
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.”
Louis L’Amour