Congratulations on—what I suppose is—defining success on your own terms, at least from the context of your article. It seems rooted in autonomy and freedom of expression, which is something I deeply value too. I’ve long felt that such freedom often comes at the cost of what society typically measures as success—especially financial metrics, which I’ve never used as a benchmark and don’t intend to in the future.
That said, I’m grateful to be in a position to read and support your work. Yours is one of only two publications I pay for here, which speaks to how much I resonate with what you share.
There’s a certain saturation of thought online—an overwhelm of noise, really—that has led me to pause my own writing, both in my small publication and more broadly in my professional context. I’ve felt the need for a stopgap. Fortunately, I’ve been able to take that space without pressure.
My consulting work in the charity sector is similarly values-driven. It brings meaning and purpose rather than financial reward, but of course, that also carries a certain cognitive and emotional weight—as anything meaningful often does when you care deeply.
So, thank you again for sharing your thoughts—and congratulations on three years of writing here. It’s no small thing.
I really enjoyed this Laura, really insightful and measured. The goblin in my head is often very concerned about my notions (I’m Irish), particularly when it comes to creative writing and it’s been through writing that I’ve become aware of and been able to shush it a bit. I had a very meta moment when I first admitted aloud to wanting to be a writer a few years back where I witnessed the slew of ‘keep yourself small’ arguments my own mind made in response to my dream and so was forced to rise above it. A blessing and also a lot of work!
Thanks for explaining notions and Peak Notions. I had absolutely no idea about this Irish cultural phenomenon: it's got me wondering whether strands of non-conformism and determined individualism in the U.S. are partly a backlash against the cultural legacies of one's immigrant parents and grandparents (not just Irish.) If there's anything to the idea, I imagine that it would also be evident in Australia.
Glad you've been able to let your own mind soar, and share the results with us!
You're amazing. Thanks for sharing as always. "Our minds are hostile rooms" really resonated here. But also, I'm so glad you've found autonomy here. Here's to it!!! <3
Thank you for writing and sharing with us each week. I found you through beauty (which I still love and value immensely) and am now on this journey with you. Without fail, I learn something from each post, you regularly make me laugh out loud, and always make me stop, think, reconsider. I applaud and am grateful for your notions!
I wish I could write as well as you, I was nodding throughout the post because of the clarity of what you were putting forth. It takes sooooo much time, thinking time, to chisel away at all kinds of notions, Irish or otherwise, before being able to find clarity in writing. Well, done, really, brava! Your posts are a great stimulus for someone like me, hitting 70 next year, dealing with the bafflement of why 'thing's are the they way are in our world ... when my daughter was born in 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down, the Iron Curtain came asunder, and I was just so happy thinking that 'things' could only get better. Sigh. I am half Italian, and was brought up by Irish nuns at a boarding school in England, but the teachers were lay. That was my first encounter with the 'notions' you write of. Ony I thought it was a British thing. Don't show off. Fit in. Be modest. Deprecative stuff. I expect each culture has its own version of notions-ness, haha. What used to really bug me was the "common sense" thing. Why do we do things this way? Well, it's common sense, that's why. The norm was common sense, yes, but 'common' to whom? We are certainly living in interesting times. Reaching for simplistic versions, so dangerous, is only human but we must keep up our Emotion Intelligence approaches in this regard. Keep writing !!!
It is a preposterous thing, to be paid to write for other people in this way. Absolutely lunacy. What are we all thinking? Bonkers, bats-in-the-belfry whackadoodle bananafest, all of it.
But I think your writing makes the strongest case for it making sense.
Thanks for all your writing and trusting your readers. Just need to confirm one thing: the hypothetical prawns being hypothetically sewn into the handbag of the hypothetical colleague are not alive!
Congratulations on—what I suppose is—defining success on your own terms, at least from the context of your article. It seems rooted in autonomy and freedom of expression, which is something I deeply value too. I’ve long felt that such freedom often comes at the cost of what society typically measures as success—especially financial metrics, which I’ve never used as a benchmark and don’t intend to in the future.
That said, I’m grateful to be in a position to read and support your work. Yours is one of only two publications I pay for here, which speaks to how much I resonate with what you share.
There’s a certain saturation of thought online—an overwhelm of noise, really—that has led me to pause my own writing, both in my small publication and more broadly in my professional context. I’ve felt the need for a stopgap. Fortunately, I’ve been able to take that space without pressure.
My consulting work in the charity sector is similarly values-driven. It brings meaning and purpose rather than financial reward, but of course, that also carries a certain cognitive and emotional weight—as anything meaningful often does when you care deeply.
So, thank you again for sharing your thoughts—and congratulations on three years of writing here. It’s no small thing.
I really enjoyed this Laura, really insightful and measured. The goblin in my head is often very concerned about my notions (I’m Irish), particularly when it comes to creative writing and it’s been through writing that I’ve become aware of and been able to shush it a bit. I had a very meta moment when I first admitted aloud to wanting to be a writer a few years back where I witnessed the slew of ‘keep yourself small’ arguments my own mind made in response to my dream and so was forced to rise above it. A blessing and also a lot of work!
Thanks for explaining notions and Peak Notions. I had absolutely no idea about this Irish cultural phenomenon: it's got me wondering whether strands of non-conformism and determined individualism in the U.S. are partly a backlash against the cultural legacies of one's immigrant parents and grandparents (not just Irish.) If there's anything to the idea, I imagine that it would also be evident in Australia.
Glad you've been able to let your own mind soar, and share the results with us!
You're amazing. Thanks for sharing as always. "Our minds are hostile rooms" really resonated here. But also, I'm so glad you've found autonomy here. Here's to it!!! <3
Thank you for writing and sharing with us each week. I found you through beauty (which I still love and value immensely) and am now on this journey with you. Without fail, I learn something from each post, you regularly make me laugh out loud, and always make me stop, think, reconsider. I applaud and am grateful for your notions!
Thank you Caitriona.
Such a delight to read. Thank you Laura.
I wish I could write as well as you, I was nodding throughout the post because of the clarity of what you were putting forth. It takes sooooo much time, thinking time, to chisel away at all kinds of notions, Irish or otherwise, before being able to find clarity in writing. Well, done, really, brava! Your posts are a great stimulus for someone like me, hitting 70 next year, dealing with the bafflement of why 'thing's are the they way are in our world ... when my daughter was born in 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down, the Iron Curtain came asunder, and I was just so happy thinking that 'things' could only get better. Sigh. I am half Italian, and was brought up by Irish nuns at a boarding school in England, but the teachers were lay. That was my first encounter with the 'notions' you write of. Ony I thought it was a British thing. Don't show off. Fit in. Be modest. Deprecative stuff. I expect each culture has its own version of notions-ness, haha. What used to really bug me was the "common sense" thing. Why do we do things this way? Well, it's common sense, that's why. The norm was common sense, yes, but 'common' to whom? We are certainly living in interesting times. Reaching for simplistic versions, so dangerous, is only human but we must keep up our Emotion Intelligence approaches in this regard. Keep writing !!!
Thanks for this thoughtful comment and sharing your experience, Josephine. I suspect you’re right that every culture has its own version of notions!
This is lovely.
It is a preposterous thing, to be paid to write for other people in this way. Absolutely lunacy. What are we all thinking? Bonkers, bats-in-the-belfry whackadoodle bananafest, all of it.
But I think your writing makes the strongest case for it making sense.
That's kind Mike, thank you.
Success: every person may have their own meaning.
Changeable and mutable daily, maybe hourly?
Thank you for opening up a little more lively in life!
I always look forward to your posts. Loved your book. Grew up French Catholic, so I can relate to notions! Keep writing, your words matter.
Thank you Claire!
Thanks for all your writing and trusting your readers. Just need to confirm one thing: the hypothetical prawns being hypothetically sewn into the handbag of the hypothetical colleague are not alive!
This is why over in Yorkshire, we'd use ferrets instead.
I'm only half-joking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret-legging
No. Quite dead. Defrosted are smelliest but you didn’t hear it from me.
What a tremendous, honest, generous reflection. Thank you!
congratulations - and thank you for everything you give as a part of this