There’s stillness and reflection in the frozen ice… I loved this perspective of seeing it as a pause (what a gift in our continually pacy world) rather than seeing it as a stuckness. Wishing you a happy new year x
I had that frozen shoulder thing a few years ago! It was horrible, the result of a group bootcamp class. My chiropractor kept telling me I needed surgery to fix it. I wouldn't give in and did my home exercises daily, and one day while doing my rehab exercises I felt a shift in my shoulder and I suddenly had my mobility back. Don't give up!
A wonderfully poignant piece Anna! I’ve just stumbled across you via notes - the transformation that happens when sickness arises is so impressive & overwhelming. Lost my health 3 years ago and I often have no idea who I’d be if I hadn’t been forced this experience of slowing down and basically not being able to do anything. As you so perfectly said - so frustrating and very strangely rewarding. Life is weird. And shit. I’m so sorry about your shoulder. And about loosing Dolly. It’s so so hard having your life change in a way you never ever want it to. Big props for writing this piece - I can’t write about loosing my health without bawling my eyes out (and I don’t even publish it) so I admire you sharing this x
Thanks so much for this, Martha. I really wasn't sure if I was actually going to publish this right up until I pressed send on it. I completely get what you mean about struggling to write about something so personal 🙏
I'm one of the new subscribers and I loved this newsletter. Relatable because I'm taking MONTHS longer to recover from surgery that was supposed to be minor. And because I have grieved more over the loss of our last dog than I thought possible. It all takes time, right, but that is hard in the moment. And I concur with the acupuncture suggestion. I was a major sceptic (scientist by training), but desperation after lots of physio for various tendonitis issues led me to try it. Wham! Magic.
My shoulder did exactly the same thing! I'm not sure where you're based, but one thing that has recently been transformational for me (after three years of pain) has been a single acupuncture session in Camberwell. The guy who runs it is amazing, and runs these cheap communal sessions at the Zen Yoga centre. It has already made the biggest difference, after I went in expecting very little...
I've enjoyed your newsletter for such a long time and am so happy to see this post. So much of what you have said resonates. I also took many months away from my fiction writing (because of a lovely, time vampire of a baby) and the frozen moments I experienced where my body was in demand but my brain was not helped clarify so much about what kind of work and writing I would like to do going forwards. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work and here's to that post-it note creeping north.
Sympathy for your frozen shoulder - like your dated post-its idea! I had two frozen shoulders over around three years, one freezing as the other thawed. But now I've regained (almost) total mobility! Time - and keeping moving as much as you are able - is the cure.
Beautiful reflection. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never heard of frozen shoulder. Fascinating. Also haven’t spent time in the land of the I’ll for years I know how frustrating it can be. But also resonate with how rewarding those periods can eventually be. Good luck in 2024!
I had a similar diagnosis on my dominant arm this year so I hear you. (Mine turns out to be a problem with the spine; that took almost a year to figure out...) I'm so sorry about Dolly. I wish you a peaceful and pain–free 2024.
Thanks for the reminder! I'm on my own journey to move slower, to freeze in some ways, to experience moments in my life, I hate to say fully, because it sounds so woo-woo contrived, so I guess just differently. And reading these types of posts help me stay on that journey. This slow down was my choice this time, but several years ago, my body forced me to slow down with debilitating panic attacks. So that is only to say, I sympathize with the irritation and the positive reflection that come with an unintentional pause.
There’s stillness and reflection in the frozen ice… I loved this perspective of seeing it as a pause (what a gift in our continually pacy world) rather than seeing it as a stuckness. Wishing you a happy new year x
Thank you so much! HNY to you, too
Beautifully rendered: “A suspension, a waiting. Freezing allows for a space to hold questions without needing to rush towards conclusions.”
I had that frozen shoulder thing a few years ago! It was horrible, the result of a group bootcamp class. My chiropractor kept telling me I needed surgery to fix it. I wouldn't give in and did my home exercises daily, and one day while doing my rehab exercises I felt a shift in my shoulder and I suddenly had my mobility back. Don't give up!
A wonderfully poignant piece Anna! I’ve just stumbled across you via notes - the transformation that happens when sickness arises is so impressive & overwhelming. Lost my health 3 years ago and I often have no idea who I’d be if I hadn’t been forced this experience of slowing down and basically not being able to do anything. As you so perfectly said - so frustrating and very strangely rewarding. Life is weird. And shit. I’m so sorry about your shoulder. And about loosing Dolly. It’s so so hard having your life change in a way you never ever want it to. Big props for writing this piece - I can’t write about loosing my health without bawling my eyes out (and I don’t even publish it) so I admire you sharing this x
Thanks so much for this, Martha. I really wasn't sure if I was actually going to publish this right up until I pressed send on it. I completely get what you mean about struggling to write about something so personal 🙏
I love this piece, Anna, and it made me think about the necessary transformations and growth quietly at work beneath those frozen exteriors.
I'm one of the new subscribers and I loved this newsletter. Relatable because I'm taking MONTHS longer to recover from surgery that was supposed to be minor. And because I have grieved more over the loss of our last dog than I thought possible. It all takes time, right, but that is hard in the moment. And I concur with the acupuncture suggestion. I was a major sceptic (scientist by training), but desperation after lots of physio for various tendonitis issues led me to try it. Wham! Magic.
This was a beautiful new years morning read. Thank you.
Thank YOU
My shoulder did exactly the same thing! I'm not sure where you're based, but one thing that has recently been transformational for me (after three years of pain) has been a single acupuncture session in Camberwell. The guy who runs it is amazing, and runs these cheap communal sessions at the Zen Yoga centre. It has already made the biggest difference, after I went in expecting very little...
I've enjoyed your newsletter for such a long time and am so happy to see this post. So much of what you have said resonates. I also took many months away from my fiction writing (because of a lovely, time vampire of a baby) and the frozen moments I experienced where my body was in demand but my brain was not helped clarify so much about what kind of work and writing I would like to do going forwards. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work and here's to that post-it note creeping north.
Thank you so much, Abigail. I see your name pop up in the comments and please know how much I appreciate you as a reader <3 <3
Sympathy for your frozen shoulder - like your dated post-its idea! I had two frozen shoulders over around three years, one freezing as the other thawed. But now I've regained (almost) total mobility! Time - and keeping moving as much as you are able - is the cure.
Brilliant post, Anna. So many people are going to find comfort and validation in your words. xoxo
Beautiful reflection. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never heard of frozen shoulder. Fascinating. Also haven’t spent time in the land of the I’ll for years I know how frustrating it can be. But also resonate with how rewarding those periods can eventually be. Good luck in 2024!
Beautifully written!
Thank you!
I had a similar diagnosis on my dominant arm this year so I hear you. (Mine turns out to be a problem with the spine; that took almost a year to figure out...) I'm so sorry about Dolly. I wish you a peaceful and pain–free 2024.
Thanks for the reminder! I'm on my own journey to move slower, to freeze in some ways, to experience moments in my life, I hate to say fully, because it sounds so woo-woo contrived, so I guess just differently. And reading these types of posts help me stay on that journey. This slow down was my choice this time, but several years ago, my body forced me to slow down with debilitating panic attacks. So that is only to say, I sympathize with the irritation and the positive reflection that come with an unintentional pause.
What a delight to read a piece like yours this time of the year. And happy new frozen year 😉
Thanks so much, Claire! Happy new frozen year to you too 🎈