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Jill Salahub's avatar

Weller's response reminds me of an old Norwegian saying, a way of responding to "How are you?" when it's so much more complicated. The full response translates to "Up, and not crying."

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TheseTurquoiseHours's avatar

Aha. So it wasn't just me who felt a bit…stuck at the Solstice. (It’s rarely just me, but I realised I don't have the same outlets and ways to check in with people these days!) There was a definite difference to the darkness this year. Most years I adapt with a bit of a grump, but this year - or should I say last year? - I was. so. ready. My inner critter wants only to nest and sleep, and dream under blankets while the rain and dark and cold stalk around my cosy burrow. My exhaustion feels overwhelming, but oddly, entirely justifiable.

My word for 2026 is Surrender. I thought I couldn't possibly hold it, but have just been told that it will be six months plus for the hysterectomy that I’ve been recommended and very much want, so Surrender it is. I suspect that it's too closely related to Patience for us to be close friends, but perhaps it's the year to get in touch with those ideas that have been tapping us on the shoulder for so long now…

Happy New Year, Jo. It's so good to know you're out there, doing your thing. It's always a pleasure to meet you in my inbox. X

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Jo Hanlon-Moores's avatar

Ah there she is. Lovely to hear from you, but sorry about the six months' wait. Hopefully these darker months allow you to really take it slow.x

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Kerstin Martin's avatar

Aah, your posts are like a soft exhale. Thank you. And the way you describe Instagram is how I have been using it for years. It's still my favorite platform for visual storytelling and microblogging, and most of the accounts I follow are the same. More photos than reels (no song and dance from me!). I just need to remember to view my feed using the Follow feature. Let's be that farm, there are more of us than we maybe think. Happy new year, my friend. xo

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Jo Hanlon-Moores's avatar

And to you, Kerstin. Always leading the way ❤️

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Alistair Forrest's avatar

Here's me trying to understand what social media is for and dammit, you just told me. Thanks x

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Jo Hanlon-Moores's avatar

Ah, the student becomes the teacher 🤣

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Melanie Leavey's avatar

Oh bollocks. I've longed for the IG of old and have tried to imagine I could just pretend that's how it is/was but...I can't recapture the feeling. My threshold for overstimulation appears to be on the floor these days. *sigh* The aging neurodivergent brain, or just me fed up to the tits with everything? I may never know. I'm trying the same with Old Skool blogging...though floundering with that, too. Still, it's either that or become the hermit I've always dreamed of being. xo ps. I now claim the title of educated squirrel -- the idea of me stashing books for my self is the most delightful thing I've heard of in a long while. I shall henceforth go on and forage! xo

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Jo Hanlon-Moores's avatar

We should start a club. That buys books and doesn't read them together.

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Melanie Leavey's avatar

I could totally thrive in that kind of book club.

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The Daisy Patch's avatar

I desperately miss the old instagram too 💔 thank you for this 💗

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Jo Hanlon-Moores's avatar

Maybe we can just bring it back with stubbornness? Worth a try.

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