13 Comments
User's avatar
Kathy Sutherland's avatar

I've been following you for a couple of months ago (Love the way you process life!) and finally got the courage to start my own Substack. You are the only one that I subscribe to that I created a file to stash away your great and inspiring stories!

Monica Hebert's avatar

Oh I love this… thank you for telling me. And look at you, starting your own Substack? That’s the real story here.

Also… a whole file just for my writing? That hits me right in the heart.

Now go fill one for yourself.

It's Official - I Am Old!'s avatar

It's so incredibly sad that I have never really asked myself what I want, and I am almost 82 years old.

Monica Hebert's avatar

ok, So . I will ask. What do you want……….. bc it is never to late to generate the feelings of what you want and let those feelings lead you to something new and interesting

It's Official - I Am Old!'s avatar

I hope you are right. Sometimes I am just too tired to ask.

Monica Hebert's avatar

try this trick, when you have moments where your energy is slightly better , that’s when to ask “ what do I want”. Each time you feel slightly better, ask the question…..

It's Official - I Am Old!'s avatar

Thank you Monica. I admire you.

Gale Pryor's avatar

I've spent 30 years writing what other people wanted me to write. I earned a living, sent kids to college, saved for "retirement," all good things but I was exhausted. Then, I finally asked myself your question: What do I want to write? Now I'm 10,000 words into a book, and have more energy than I've felt in decades.

Monica Hebert's avatar

It’s not the 10,000 words that got me. It’s the energy. You can push through and produce for years, but you can’t fake that kind of aliveness. That shows up when something finally clicks into place and you’re writing from yourself instead of for everyone else. Thirty years paid the bills. This feeds you. That’s the shift. I am ‘cited for you!

Gale Pryor's avatar

Yes, and that's the telltale difference. Is your energy being drained or replenished by the work? That difference certainly shows up in the quality of the work.

Elizabeth Neiland's avatar

💗love this . I realized I have never completed a painting 🖼️ that was just for me. They went to a hospital or a veterans home when I was actively supporting a nonprofit

I made one for a dying friend and a birthday gift for my daughter

But never for me

My goal is to finish something for my own walls this summer

Monica Hebert's avatar

My walls have my own art- always have. However, they all eventaully sell. I look at it like a momma: I was pregnant ( my art on my walls) I gave birth, I released the kid into the world ( the sell )

Mary Fitzgerald's avatar

GREAT story and LOVELY, joyful photo of you!