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Hi, Susan, I’ve just discovered your newsletter and I’m so glad you worked up the nerve to start it a year ago! This line: “Do I really even have anything remotely interesting to say?” is so painfully relatable. It’s along the lines of my first post about two weeks ago when I started here. But, as you must know by now, and having read some of your words, I know; you clearly do, and I’m looking forward to reading more from you!

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Even when you say you have no words, you still find them and share them so authentically. I always look forward to reading them. Big congratulations on a whole year of writing from the heart. 💖 And how can I say thank you for including me in your list? Just "thank you" a million times. 🙏🏻

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You inspire me so much, Susie, in every post. Through your words I am there with you, experiencing your hill. I really love the way you see life! Happy anniversary! Here's to many tens of thousands of words to come. ♥️✨♥️

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Bless you Jenna, yesterday, just before dawn, I walked up my hill and waited for the sun to rise over the far horizon, I thought of you as I knew I would, took your hand in mine and we watched together, silently soaking up the glorious kaleidoscope of myriad colour.

This place! The ties and the kindredness, (not sure about that word but it’s staying...) have become so quickly a part of my day... it is a magic place, filled with wonderful supplied by you and others too... I can’t wait to see what this next year has hidden inside! 💕

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This is so beautifully expressed, Susie, and I relate to every bit of what you share here - the nerves, the procrastination, the courage, the determination, the gratitude, all of it. So glad to have crossed paths with you in this online playground. Cheering you on for another year and all the words that will float your way in the next twelve months. You're making magic, never forget that. ✨

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Enormous thanks Charlene, you’ve been a wonderfully bright and constant inspiration to me here throughout the entire year, what a very happy and friendly playground this is! Here’s to another year of chasing words with a kiss waiting when we catch them! 😘

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Absolutely beautifully written Susie, gloriously heartfelt words to celebrate 💛 love it xx

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Enormous thanks again Emily, and for sharing, that really did make my weekend! 🙏🏽🤗

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Jan 18Liked by Susie Mawhinney

Congratulations on your courage, lucky us! To many more letters dear Susie

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Warmest thanks dear Elske, for all your lovely support and love xx

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I enjoy your work very much. Please don't stop!

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Heartfelt thanks Jennifer, I’m hoping all the trembling and confidence wobbles will stabilise in time… a little at least. X

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What an honour be included in this fabulous, open, honest - beautifully written - summary of what it takes ALL of us to get over the starting line EVERY time. You are not alone, none of us are. Whether we have one cheerleader or several, we are not alone. Your writing is inspiring, your images are spellbinding. One year in, lots more to go. Onwards, with more and more confidence each time. Happy anniversary, Susie.

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How could never have not included you Barrie, your kindness and always friendly up beat comments have kept me going in many a dark moment. I’m not sure the nervousness will ever be completely cured but the enjoyment and hopefully a less questionable and cringe making sense of achievement will be tapping my back! Here’s to another year of just writing! Thank you truly and humbly.

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We are all our own harshest critics! I too cringe when I hit publish - I’ve only done it three times and can’t envisage it getting any easier. I too welcomed Samantha’s words yesterday! Well done on getting a year under your belt - here’s to your second! 🙂

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Thank you Lynn, I couldn’t quite believe reading Samantha’s post at the very point I truly needed it. As I said, a serendipitous moment! And, if any of my future publications are as refined and beautiful as your first three, I will be delighted. I am certainly not going to give up trying just yet… 💕

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Aw, that’s really kind, Susie. But here’s the thing, that’s what I think about yours - refined and beautiful - so you’re not allowed to give up, lol. I think it’s reading someone else’s perception of the world that is so interesting: what they notice around them, how they react to it, how they interpret it etc. We are so accustomed to our own environments they become banal in our minds whereas they are infinitely interesting to those unfamiliar with them.

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I am so glad you pressed publish, no matter how shakey your hands. I love reading your words (letters/essays?) and take great inspiration from both these and your photos. Your generous encouragement of my efforts here fill me with hope that perhaps I’ll hit that one year mark too some day. Xx

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They still shake a year later Vanessa, maybe that nervousness is quite normal and never goes away, I have enjoyed (mostly) the bumpy ride though.

That I inspire anything you do is hugely complementary though would you believe, reading some of your previous blog pages were one of my initial sparks of inspiration? Looks like we’re in this together lovely! Onwards and upwards… with heartfelt thanks xx

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Crikey - I wonder which one of my abandoned blogs that might have been 🙈😂

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Well I only ever found one, so I guess it was that one! 😂

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Jan 18Liked by Susie Mawhinney

Happy Substack anniversary to you! Look how far you've come! And the cringing part, it's only you. We love it!

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Enormous thanks dear Lisha, that really is so wonderful to hear… I am still nervous but ready to take on another year by the horns! A hug to you always xx

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Jan 18Liked by Susie Mawhinney

Hey Susie. I feel you and share your sentiment about writing. The best advice I got a couple of years ago was from fellow Substack writer John Warner who said about writing, 'Victory is in the doing!' I took it to heart. So, I just keep doing it, regardless of what inspires it or where it goes. And I enjoy the victory in doing just that!

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Thanks for this Rich, I can actually relate to the ‘victory in the doing’ advice. There is a certain feeling of achievement (despite the worries) when a piece is finally finished and the send button has been tapped! I shall hold on to that as this years motto... thank you.

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Jan 18Liked by Susie Mawhinney

Wow Susie, every time I read your writing I get blown away. Despite it not feeling like it to you at times, your writing just flows so beautifully. Your writing seduces and invites and then encompasses like a big warm hug.

Congratulations on a year of showing up. On a year of stepping outside your comfort zone.

"You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both, " is one of my favourite quotes.

Cringe is also a very very familiar feeling to me. All the time in fact. It's a bloody horrible feeling and very uncomfortable. Another Brene quote is: "If you are not in the arena getting your ass kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback." This is always good to bear in mind I find when we are feeling cringe about anything we have done and imagining the response in our minds. Although I think we are the ones hardest on ourselves rather than others. 💜

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Jo, biggest heartfelt thanks to you lovely lady from afar... the Brene quote you mention - one I’ve not seen before - is perfect! I can relate to every word, not just here but in life too because really, isn’t it a true fact that those of us, fighting mighty conquests no matter the battalion being twice our size and 100 x more powerful, that refuse to give up no matter how many times we feel defeated, actually have something more interesting to say? Maybe?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to read about easy, I’m not even sure it exists any more! Far more insightful is to read about hardship and how to overcome it... somehow this makes us feel like we are not quite the misfits we believe...

As for cringing, maybe it’s a given? Certainly since writing this I’ve heard of many more that seem to experience the same so I’m going to try and embrace that word and turn it into another... let’s say it’s progress!

Hoping your weekend is bright with smiles and inspiration xx

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Jan 18Liked by Susie Mawhinney

I applaud your courage, to follow your dream, few ever do. I was surprised to learn you've written 62 marvellous stories... bravo... I loved each one. Thank you for sharing your heart, spirit and thoughts, you are a blessing to us all. Love and hugs.

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You have always been there right with me darling, without your love and encouragement and faith in my ability to do this, I doubt I’d still be here… my love always, big and true xxx

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😘🙏🏼

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Glad to have discovered your work here Susie. Brilliant accomplishment. Keep up the wonderful writing when opportunities for creativity permit!

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Heartfelt thanks to you also Matthew for your encouragement and support. I have promised myself more writing time in the coming year, easier said than done of course but I am determined! Wishing you a great rest of your day..

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Jan 17Liked by Susie Mawhinney

You are so very brave Susie, and I am so grateful that you are. Wonderful, honest and inspiring words. Thank you!

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Huge thanks Alex, for all past (I haven’t forgotten our conversations) and present encouragement - I am still unsteady but maybe another year will stabilise me a little… we shall see! Much love always xx

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