Come with me to Japan
Spend spring and summer exploring how Japanese philosophy could help you find meaning and happiness as a writer
When I travel, I take two notebooks, on to use as a diary and one for “thoughts”. They’re as essential as good shoes and enough pairs of clean undies. People, sights, sounds, smells are recorded, enhanced with tickets, leaflets, wrappers, and receipts and become a glorious record of happy exploration.
And then I get home and put it in a box.
Not anymore friends, not anymore. I've had an idea. This week I was commissioned to write a piece on applying Japanese philosophies to a new home and the thought occurred to me that I could apply these philosophies to my own writing practice. One thought led to another, as thoughts so often do and it occured to me that perhaps other writers might be interested in being exploring these ideas, and seeing how they could help us find happiness and meaning as writers. And then another thought occurred that I could perhaps include some of my research notes, travel journal, pictures and experiences.
This Wild Feeling goes on tour
Writing about working, living and travelling overseas is my bread-and-butter work and also happens to be something I love. Whilst my health limitations mean being a full-on travel writer is a little out of reach, it seems to me that this is a way to can combine two areas of expertise into one gorgeous newsletter. I spent the early part of spring exploring why I write, what holds me back and how to move forward. Exploring and applying these techniques seems like a superb next step and a great way to spend the next couple of months on Substack.
Here’s how the letters might work. Each week I’ll consider a specific Japanese philosophy, with particular focus on those philosophies that lend themselves to building a happier writer’s life. I’ll talk about personal experience of them in Japan and look in detail at how these philosophies can work to make me (and you) a happier writer. Sound good? Let’s do it! There’s scope to set up practical forums and community interaction to explore things further too. Watch this space. As with everything I do, I’m open to ideas and suggestions – just pop them in the comments.
Where shall we begin?
I think we’ll start in Kanazawa on the north coast of Honshu, the largest of Japan's islands. Keep your eye on your inbox each Friday xx
See you then!
If you enjoy reading This Wild Feeling send me some love! Click the hearts, leave a comment, restack, with a note if you're feeling fancy, and share on your favourite social media ❤️
This is SUCH a beautiful idea. I’ve never been to Japan but it still holds such a mystical pull for me. I imagine these letters will give me a way of travelling while I wait for the time and money to go in person.
Looking forward to this Kathryn😊❤️