2 steps forward, 1 step back… the ups and downs of this crazy old ride
I have a confession to make. Ever since the launch of the book I have really struggled to write blogs. Now that I have the illustrious title of “published author” I suddenly feel this immense pressure to actually give you something good!
This year has been a rollercoaster and luckily I have an easy going husband! He cheerily informed me yesterday that he can almost predict my cycle of outrageous excitement and meltdown (apparently 2-3 days up, 10 hours down) to the day.
Rather than trying to think of something profound, here is a couple of the ups and downs that is my new life in 2011.
The course is rocking!
90% of my course participants had their website up in the first 15 days of the course. 15 days! Most of them didn’t even know what hosting was so to have created a concept and installed their own site in that time is just awesome. The course is going so well and I am so happy with how everyone is progressing. I even allowed myself a rather undignified squeal at one point. I will share their websites with you once they launch in a few weeks, so prepare to be impressed!
Due to the large number of requests, I have decided to put another course on this year. Again it is the Website Launchpad and it starts on the 10th of October so jump in if you were one of the people who missed out on the first one.
Grief is a patient beast
Today I met for coffee with a wonderful woman Joanne Fedler who I interviewed on the radio show a few weeks back. She has written a number of successful books including her most recent which I have devoured today: When Hungry, Eat. Originally I was hoping to pick the brains of an experienced author so that I could see if going a little loopy was normal after your first book launch. But we ended up on the topic of my brother.
2 days before my manuscript was due he died suddenly and for nearly 9 months I have juggled the euphoria of opportunity with the heart break of loss. It hasn’t been until today that I realised the link.
It is a bizarre experience to mix one of the highlights of your life with the worst thing you could ever imagine. I find myself floating in a purgatory of unbelievably good and bad luck and my poor confused soul doesn’t know quite how to deal with it other than to laugh at the complexity of what it is to be alive.
Well that is my naval gazing for one week, I hope your rollercoaster is more up than down.
Mine is… and for that I am truly grateful.
5:36 pm
Hey. Thanks for being honest. Is it not true that the harder we fight the ‘dying of the light’ the more ‘our own light shines?’. Not my words, I know. But having experienced a similar dichotomy of emotions, I know I do my best work when it seems the hardest thing to do. Again, thanks for simply telling it like it is. Mindi
6:14 pm
Hey Mindi,
Thanks for reading my waffle! I am not sure if I share your ability to do great work when it is hard! I used to just have the words pour out, at the moment it seems like a slog…
I checked out your website and you are a woman after my own heart! Next time I am in Wellies I am soooo doing your course, I am a passionate cook and cheese addict. I never considered making cheese before, how divine!
Serena xx
6:21 pm
I’d be delighted to host you. BTW your book is making me crazy – 10 sleeps until 3 weeks in Italy at cooking school and a cheese festival – and I want to re-model my website…I may eat my own words about doing my best work when the going is tough!
Take care
Mindi
6:37 pm
Hehe! Have fun with the website, you can do a lot in 10 days. And feel free to ask web related questions on this wall http://www.facebook.com/GrassrootsInternetStrategy
7:06 pm
Beautiful, honest words Serena! Life can indeed be a crazy ride
Luckily, there’s all the love.x
4:10 pm
Where would we be without the love?!!
8:24 pm
Knowing you before the tragedy of Ethan dying I am in awe of the way you have carried on with your mission and continued to share and give your time to help others achieve their goals. You are truly an inspiration and even when writers block gets the better of you still take the time to share.
4:06 pm
Thanks Gabes!! Aww I am blushing
3:14 pm
Hi Serena,
Love your honesty in this post! I have to say a big smile came across my face when I read that your husband informed you that he can almost predict your cycle of outrageous excitement and meltdown to the day. I’ve noticed a very similar cycle in the last few weeks… my partner is very supportive but I don’t think my ups to downs ratio is quite as high as yours so I’ve decided to act now when I’m in a down period instead of verbalising every time : )
I’m waiting for your book to come in the mail with much anticipation!
4:14 pm
Hey Kylah,
Aren’t we funny emotional creatures! And so lucky to have supportive partners. It really, really, really helps!
I hope you enjoy the book : )
9:17 am
Hi Serena,
You state that “I suddenly feel this immense pressure to actually give you something good!”
You constantly give us something good!
Your honesty is refresshing and your ability to share your journey is inspiring so just continue to be who you are and do what you do.
Your blog is the only thing I read that is outside my own focus at the moment and it takes a lot to get me outside what my daughter calls my bubble.
xx
8:41 pm
Thanks for the reassurance Raoul, and lovely to see you here!!
10:41 am
Having both extremes of success and loss at the same time rather than seperate times would be intense. Think of the book as a good buoy. Anything that keeps your attention and energy helps mark time between such loss and grief until one day you put up your head and feel the intensity of the grief is more manageable, not as all consuming and less persistent. The book could not have come at a better time… K