The year I turned 30 I took three months off from my job
to write. I’d always wanted to write a novel - I’d talked about it for most of my 20s. But at 30, I was ready to really give it a go. I was ready to write, rather than talk about writing.
Now, it’s ten years later. I’m three weeks into my 40s. Books
have been written, decisions made, life turns taken that I never could have
foreseen. So I thought I’d make a list of things I learned along the way,
things I want to remember, because I know I’ll forget them again…
- Being afraid is not a good enough reason to stop you doing something.
- Getting published doesn’t make you a better writer, but it makes other people think you are a better writer.
- It is a good idea to check the bathroom in Starbucks is working before you order a Venti Soy Chai latte.
- Manhattan real estate brokers don’t negotiate. Ever.
- When a bucket of cement is lodged under your Volkswagen Golf, the only way to remove it is to drive really fast, then brake suddenly.
- Eve Lom cleanser is worth every penny.
- Things don’t always work out the way you want them to.
- Very often that’s a good thing.
- The better I get to know myself, the better I can get to know you.
- Six weeks is just about enough time to pack up a house, a business and a life, and move to the other side of the Atlantic.
- Most people do the best they can, most of the time.
- Even if the above statement is not true, it helps me to believe it is.
- Being a good listener means you have to really listen, not formulate in your head what you want to say next.
- Living thousands of miles apart from friends and family can sometimes bring you closer.
- There really is no such thing as being “good” or “bad” at yoga, there is only intention and practice and being present to your own experience on your own mat.
- When you sign a form before an operation allowing them to take a different medical action if they need to, you should take it seriously.
- The terror of “coming out” becomes worth it when you love someone.
- Every time you do it, it gets easier.
- Avocado on toasted McCambridge’s bread (with butter) is perfect at any time of day.
- Just because someone is fidgeting in the front row of your reading doesn’t mean they hate your book – they may have a bockety chair.
- My only hope of ever getting the future I want, is to stay in the present.
- Even though I feed off New York’s energy, when I spend too much time in Midtown Manhattan, it starts to feed off mine.
- It’s important to say what I think, even when it’s not the same thing you think.
- I need to spend time alone.
- No matter how many colours of Converse I get, I will always wear white the most.
- Sometimes the Universe does things for me that I can’t do for myself.
- My body is often smarter than my mind.
- It’s OK if you don’t agree with my opinion: it doesn’t mean either of us has to be wrong.
- There is no greater freedom than the freedom of being seen as you really are.
- I’ll probably know less in ten years than I think I know now.
