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Valarie Schwartz's avatar

So much time in my own company has been more challenging than I had considered, but not unpleasant. Mostly adjusting to the spaces — there are more options than at home. But I'm starting to get the hang of it and settled in. I was a bit startled the first time I heard my voice — speaking to a cat. Human silence, especially no televised human voices, feels heavenly. Yoga, meditation, reading, writing, playing the piano, a little bit of gardening . . . nirvana. Ommmmm

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Siobhan Curham's avatar

Oh it sounds so lovely! The perfect retreat ❤️

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Valarie Schwartz's avatar

Here we go again with the synchronicity!

I am on Day Four of living my fear: Time alone with unlocked doors.

There has never been a time in my almost 72 years of life when I've been alone — not seeing another human — for longer than a day or so. Yet here I am, housesitting in the mountain home of a friend whilst she and her family are in Alaska. Occasionally I've heard neighbors through the trees, but for two weeks it will be just me and three cats. It is so remote that when I asked where to find the key, the response was, "Oh, I'll see if I can find one — we never lock the doors."

Gasp! City girl here!

Yet, here I am, taking showers with doors open, sleeping with doors unlocked — on my own!

With this fear checked off the list, on to the next one — fear that I'll return home without having met my writing goals on the book I'm here to progress! Off to it — have a good week!

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Gillian's avatar

Wow. I love this, especially speaking as a soon to be 77 year old. What an inspiration

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Siobhan Curham's avatar

Holy cow, my inner London girl is also gasping at the lack of keys 😯 but what a great challenge for you to face, it sounds blissful and the perfect writing retreat! How are you finding so much time in your own company? I found my time solo travelling really peaceful and enjoyable so I hope you are too. And good luck with the writing! ❤️

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Gillian's avatar

So relate to your nighttime fears, although it was in my nans house. I remember both mum and nan trying to coax me up I to what appeared to me to be a black hole.

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Siobhan Curham's avatar

It's so interesting how we can create these fears as kids! ❤️

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