I managed to make it down to White Cube gallery in Bermondsey this week to see Tracey Emin’s I followed you to the end exhibition before it closed today. In a word, visceral. Through paintings and sculpture, you’re taken on a “journey through love and loss, mortality and rebirth”. It comes after her cancer diagnosis, painful recovery including multiple organ removal and the reality of living with a stoma. It was raw, heartfelt, bloody and gruesome. I also went for a gorgeous dinner at Flat Iron and went swimming too. It’s all the more difficult to muster up the courage when it’s cold outside, even venturing to an inside pool. Big round of applause for me.
I’m still pushing on with The Body Keeps the Score. It’s pretty dense in subject matter and also in the fact the font is oh so small. It’s been an incredibly mind opening read and I’ve learnt a lot about about myself in the process too. A great pick to get back into non-fiction reading. Although I must admit, reading in bed is made so much easier with my Kindle. The origami cases mean I can prop it up and practically go hands free. Holding up a paperback can be such hard work.
Other things I haven’t read but will read next:
My Anxiety
The lows of the high life
Are you the same person you were when you were a child?
Parasocial grieving: Liam Payne
Finally got round to booking train tickets for a weekend away at the end of this month. We’ve settled on Edinburgh to visit my sister. The last time I went was for The Fringe, but I think Scotland is the embodiment of winter. Edinburgh is a brooding and gothic city built for the cold. I’m looking forward to wrapping up warm, ambling around the Christmas markets and eating lots of Lannan pastries. Around the same time last year when I was there we even caught some snow.
Back from the not-so-distant past is my knitted hood. The time has come. Like most fashion trends when they I arrive, I was resistant to the knitted hood. I don’t like to jump straight in, I’m a sheep when it comes to fashion. So when the knitted hood’s popularity began to pick up two winters ago I was strictly out. But come last winter, I was ready to invest and I have no regrets. My hood is bright pink, snug and warm. Sort of like a tea cosy. I’ve already been eyeing up more knitted hoods for this winter. Like Damson Madder’s leopard print one which is garish but so fun. Is one knitted hood really enough?
Burgundy mascara has changed my life. I have hazel eyes and was deep in a Google search looking for ways to enhance the green flecks when I made my discovery. Purple tones help to create contrast and so I decided to give it a go. It works! Black masara can sometimes feel quite heavy so it’s a great alternative when you’re not after a full glam look too. I didn’t want to break the bank without knowing if I liked it so I went for this Maybelline one. If you’re looking to cop, there are many more options than you might expect.
A cat did a big poo outside our front door yesterday and I shan’t elaborate but I would say it was the worst thing that happened this week and maybe ever.
This week I did an online storytelling course. I took down so many useful notes for structure and generating new ideas. The course was littered with quotes from famous storytellers including one of my all time favourites. “The first draft of anything is shit” - Ernest Hemingway.
Yes to both The Body Keeps the Score (which is the focus text from tomorrow night's final Writing for Better Mental and Physical Health group journaling session) ANd Edinburgh in winter! Hit me up when you know your dates!