Your letter has blessed my heart. Thank you, at 72 I’m taking up oil painting, something I’ve longed to do since my youth. You have greatly encouraged me. God bless you Jessica Ballerina ♥️
Well those are great questions Jessica, I feel quite emotional about it. I had to think about it for quite some time, and that alone made me realise I have completely lost my sense of doing things “that feed my soul”. But finally I remembered. It was reading and writing (in Dutch though, my mother tongue ;)). But I stopped doing it because it made me feel so sad. I don’t even know exactly why! Nevertheless I bought the prettiest notebook I could find, I dusted off my really old and treasured fountain pain and I am determined to find out why I lost the pleasure in doing those things and if I can write “through” it.
I’ve been thinking about my word for 2024 and nothing felt quite right. “Feeding my soul” however feels like the phrase I need for the next year. Thank you ❤️🩹
Hey Jessica, just thought I’d let you know that I took up ballet a year ago after hearing you talk about it. I too tried v briefly as a child and now I love every minute of my older ladies beginner ballet classes (I’m 55 & the youngest). A few months ago, 3 of us even took part in a performance in public with the more experienced girls, pushing us to learn harder steps and get out of our comfort zones. A very scary but amazing experience. I have you to thank for the inspiration 💕
It’s been a few years I started to realize this odd thing, that once you start working you tend to give up so many things that made you you and you used to love…. It took me years of work to finally start to weave some old wishes into my current life. I used to do folk dance (Hungarian folk dance is actually cool, for real! 😀) which was and still is part of my identity - but that one seems to be done here with an “all or nothing” mentality so it’s not an option for me. I also wanted fo try swing dancing for like 10 years and this September I finally got fed up with my excuses and signed up! It does not put me in flow as you said - and it made me think… - but I still really enjoy it and I feel really cool doing something for myself. Ballet was always very close to my heart too, so it’s a good reminder that maybe next “school” year could be about that….. :)
(The other things is writing of course….. it’s a hard one to get back on track with but trying.)
It’s such an interesting feeling that first when you get a job you lose all these, but at the same time what I just realized is that being an adult can also mean that you have ENDLESS possibilities of doing whatever you like! You can finally start dancing, learn Spanish, try fencing, travel to places you’ve never been to… you just need to remember this and listen to your intuition!
This was lovely to listen to, Jessica. I just discovered your Substack, and I clicked on the title because it so resonates with where I am right now, experiencing a sort of 'homecoming' in myself, allowing myself to come back to one of my first loves: writing and storytelling. It's a lovely sort of waking up to: this *is* my life, and I can choose whether I go closer to what brings me alive, or if I move further away from it. Really appreciating your softness, and vulnerability in your sharing, and your storytelling too.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it Sandi and it spoke to you. I'm excited for you, it sounds like you're going to open some very wonderful doors! Cheering you on every step of the way...and welcome the the simple letter! xx
I usually read your letters, but today I'm working and listened to it. Your fond memories of your grandparents brought tears to my eyes, your talk of laughing when you can't keep up makes me remember the pleasure of play we had as children. Just lovely. Have the loveliest day.
I always wanted to be in a choir but was too scared because I’m not actually a very good singer! But a year ago I joined my local Rock Choir and I haven’t looked back. It’s the best thing about my week and I love it 🥰 I’ve even done performances!
Well said. I do agree that we shouldn't let go of what we genuinely love to do as well as what we're passionate about in our lives, and instead should strive to prioritize and make time for such things.
This is so true! Before I read this I was just reading in our local newspaper about a man who has always loved playing bridge. Now he is 100 years old and still turns up for the weekly bridge night in his village. Felt like this was very much in keeping with what you've written here 😊
Hi Jessica! Fellow adult ballet student here. Ballet has brought me sooo much. Incredible how many lessons feed into other parts of life. It also feels like meditation, I spend 90mins just thinking about what my feet (& the rest of my body) are doing and forget the rest of the world. Never too late to start. Xx
Hello Jessica, I just discovered your account and this is the first text of yours that I have read. Excuse my somewhat primary English, but I'm a 25-year-old Brazilian trying to learn a language that doesn't look anything like Portuguese. I really liked your story and it really resonates with what beats in my heart, an overwhelming desire to rediscover myself in what I liked to do when work wasn't my main occupation. Drawing is certainly a passion that I need to rekindle because I felt that with each brushstroke the impossible was being built before my eyes through my hands and that is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. I get chills thinking about you being in Paris, the realization that past you dreamed of this. Just beautiful.
I dreamed of everything to do with food and being a chef. But that seemed silly for an academic. I became a pharmacist and did the sensible thing. Wouldn’t you know a decade later I found myself in culinary school in Manhattan. Best moments of my life ❤️
Your letter has blessed my heart. Thank you, at 72 I’m taking up oil painting, something I’ve longed to do since my youth. You have greatly encouraged me. God bless you Jessica Ballerina ♥️
oh that sounds incredible! I'm cheering you on every step of the ware Jeanne Artiste ❤️
Well those are great questions Jessica, I feel quite emotional about it. I had to think about it for quite some time, and that alone made me realise I have completely lost my sense of doing things “that feed my soul”. But finally I remembered. It was reading and writing (in Dutch though, my mother tongue ;)). But I stopped doing it because it made me feel so sad. I don’t even know exactly why! Nevertheless I bought the prettiest notebook I could find, I dusted off my really old and treasured fountain pain and I am determined to find out why I lost the pleasure in doing those things and if I can write “through” it.
I’ve been thinking about my word for 2024 and nothing felt quite right. “Feeding my soul” however feels like the phrase I need for the next year. Thank you ❤️🩹
This made me feel so happy ❤️❤️
Hey Jessica, just thought I’d let you know that I took up ballet a year ago after hearing you talk about it. I too tried v briefly as a child and now I love every minute of my older ladies beginner ballet classes (I’m 55 & the youngest). A few months ago, 3 of us even took part in a performance in public with the more experienced girls, pushing us to learn harder steps and get out of our comfort zones. A very scary but amazing experience. I have you to thank for the inspiration 💕
omg that melts my heart. AMAZING!!!!! They could make a film about you all ❤️❤️❤️
It’s been a few years I started to realize this odd thing, that once you start working you tend to give up so many things that made you you and you used to love…. It took me years of work to finally start to weave some old wishes into my current life. I used to do folk dance (Hungarian folk dance is actually cool, for real! 😀) which was and still is part of my identity - but that one seems to be done here with an “all or nothing” mentality so it’s not an option for me. I also wanted fo try swing dancing for like 10 years and this September I finally got fed up with my excuses and signed up! It does not put me in flow as you said - and it made me think… - but I still really enjoy it and I feel really cool doing something for myself. Ballet was always very close to my heart too, so it’s a good reminder that maybe next “school” year could be about that….. :)
(The other things is writing of course….. it’s a hard one to get back on track with but trying.)
It’s such an interesting feeling that first when you get a job you lose all these, but at the same time what I just realized is that being an adult can also mean that you have ENDLESS possibilities of doing whatever you like! You can finally start dancing, learn Spanish, try fencing, travel to places you’ve never been to… you just need to remember this and listen to your intuition!
This was lovely to listen to, Jessica. I just discovered your Substack, and I clicked on the title because it so resonates with where I am right now, experiencing a sort of 'homecoming' in myself, allowing myself to come back to one of my first loves: writing and storytelling. It's a lovely sort of waking up to: this *is* my life, and I can choose whether I go closer to what brings me alive, or if I move further away from it. Really appreciating your softness, and vulnerability in your sharing, and your storytelling too.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it Sandi and it spoke to you. I'm excited for you, it sounds like you're going to open some very wonderful doors! Cheering you on every step of the way...and welcome the the simple letter! xx
I usually read your letters, but today I'm working and listened to it. Your fond memories of your grandparents brought tears to my eyes, your talk of laughing when you can't keep up makes me remember the pleasure of play we had as children. Just lovely. Have the loveliest day.
awh thank you for letting me know Sharon, it means the world. Hope your day at work was a good one ❤️
Thank you Jessica, I truly needed to hear these encouraging words! 💕💜
I'm glad they found you at the right time ❤️
I always wanted to be in a choir but was too scared because I’m not actually a very good singer! But a year ago I joined my local Rock Choir and I haven’t looked back. It’s the best thing about my week and I love it 🥰 I’ve even done performances!
Uplifting ❤️
so pleased to hear that. thank you for taking the time to let me know
Well said. I do agree that we shouldn't let go of what we genuinely love to do as well as what we're passionate about in our lives, and instead should strive to prioritize and make time for such things.
This is so true! Before I read this I was just reading in our local newspaper about a man who has always loved playing bridge. Now he is 100 years old and still turns up for the weekly bridge night in his village. Felt like this was very much in keeping with what you've written here 😊
Hi Jessica! Fellow adult ballet student here. Ballet has brought me sooo much. Incredible how many lessons feed into other parts of life. It also feels like meditation, I spend 90mins just thinking about what my feet (& the rest of my body) are doing and forget the rest of the world. Never too late to start. Xx
So true. Wonderful, soul filled words. For me it was my love of literature. Books and more books.
what a love affair that must be ❤️❤️
Enid Blyton set me on the right path 👍🏻
Me too!
This was lovely Jess 💗
so pleased you enjoyed it
Hello Jessica, I just discovered your account and this is the first text of yours that I have read. Excuse my somewhat primary English, but I'm a 25-year-old Brazilian trying to learn a language that doesn't look anything like Portuguese. I really liked your story and it really resonates with what beats in my heart, an overwhelming desire to rediscover myself in what I liked to do when work wasn't my main occupation. Drawing is certainly a passion that I need to rekindle because I felt that with each brushstroke the impossible was being built before my eyes through my hands and that is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. I get chills thinking about you being in Paris, the realization that past you dreamed of this. Just beautiful.
I dreamed of everything to do with food and being a chef. But that seemed silly for an academic. I became a pharmacist and did the sensible thing. Wouldn’t you know a decade later I found myself in culinary school in Manhattan. Best moments of my life ❤️