20 Comments

What a wonderful and wonderfully relatable piece - did you tap onto my subconscious whilst in that beautiful forest? This is exactly why I wrote to. Not for fame. Not for notoriety. To be heard, to be seen.

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Thanks Tamsin xx It's hard to keep focused on these reasons amongst the noise I think. Wondering about why was a good exercise for me. The forest is stunning! Down on the south west coast of Anglesey xx

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Apr 4Liked by Kathryn Anna Marshall

This is absolutely my feelings and thoughts too!! Thank you for capturing it so well. Also I love Newborough beach, it's such a beautiful place to visit!!

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Thank you Lisa! I really appreciate you taking time to comment xx I've not been to anywhere on Anglesey since I was very young - it's so beautiful. Newborough definitely grabbed my heart.

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It's stunning, did you walk across to the island and the lighthouse? Just awesome

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We did! It even stayed dry 🤗

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Apr 4Liked by Kathryn Anna Marshall

Lovely heartfelt piece Kathryn. 🥰

“I want to write in public because I want to connect with people

I wonder if everyone feels like this”

Yes indeed! ?Both connection and safety are hardwired innate drives in humans (source: polyvagal theory) x

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Thank you David - and thankyou for the added insight. I love to understand more about whys and hows of all of this.

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Helpful on our paths to healing. With understanding comes more compassion for ourselves I think?? ❤️‍🩹

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I loved this Kathryn - and while I may not have chosen the exact words - I felt very connected to your story - around voice, safety, connection and being heard and seen in a meaningful and real way. I want to pull out quotes from most of this to save. Thank you for these thoughts.

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Thank you Catriona. It does my heart good to read that xx

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And I love that forest meeting sea image. I grew up on the coast and now live on the edge of a forest. I so often want to bring the both together. I had no idea that existed in Anglesey :)

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It's a stunning beach - forest, sea and mountains. I'd never been before last weekend but I'll definitely be going back.

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I relate to this too. I write in public to connect and share, but also I can take time to formulate the things I want to say which so often elude me in the moment during a conversation.

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Always - so many imaginary conversations!

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Mar 29Liked by Kathryn Anna Marshall

Great post. Great beach (the little island at one end? Did you go over?) Great podcast recommendation, thank youuu x

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Thanks Nelly - I enjoyed writing it! Yes we did the whole walk - it's my favourite beach on Anglesey I think - that whole mountain/forest/sea thing is just incredible.

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Mar 29Liked by Kathryn Anna Marshall

I think any of us who write in public have these questions, and many of the same answers you've articulated so nicely here. It's been a constant struggle for me. I just spent some time this morning going through posts on my old blog so I can save them--and so many of them I have no desire to save. I got tired of hearing my own voice. I don't know if that's about the writing or about my current mental state. Maybe it doesn't matter? Anyway, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have to say about Substack. I have such mixed feelings about this place!

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That must be a strange feeling - I reckon I'd mirror it if I went through my old blog posts. Yes I'm part way through drafting the "Is Substack the place for me " post. I'm interested in what I'll conclude!

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Thanks Helen xx

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