My rebellion that supports this idea of fallow is my only plan for a Sunday is a walk in the bush with my dog that has no end time we leave simply when we are ready and when arriving home sit with a cuppa
To rebel against the status quo IS to slow down, to rest, to question the information and stuff and the sheer amount we consume, to generously wonder what we’re chasing and why.
Well thanks for making me cry Brooke. Honestly your writing and insights are always so worth taking the time to read. I relate to your current season and the frustration mostly due to chronic pain which has become so…whatever. Words and such. This was a beautiful encouragement to read with my morning coffee. I’d like to try and see it as gentle rebellion. 🫶🏻Thank you. xx
Amazing to see what blooms when we relinquish control and allow nature to take its course, both in our gardens and in our lives. I'm slowly sinking into a personal hibernation period, a creative fallowing in line with the season ahead. It feels wonderful to be turning inwards, saying no and cocooning (in the company of books). I'm reading Wintering by Katherine May at present and it's the perfect guide into this time of rest.
I'm curious Brooke, having gone through a forced fallowing over summer how do you feel about the season to come? X
This is so beautiful Brooke. I was just about to record a podcast about the 'seasons of matrescence' where I describe the postpartum weeks as a 'wintering' of sorts. A time to rest, recover and rejuvenate after the 'seasons' of growth and fruition of pregnancy and birth. I am going to ponder the concept of 'fallow' as it seems very apt. Postpartum IS messy, uncontrollable and a season of 'not-doing' so this word is perfect. :)
L’il Bean was born in my own fallow of time off to heal this year, inside me I feel like your beautiful garden, revitalised with vigour! So cool to see it so concrete in the world! Thank you xo
Another beautiful bit of writing. Once again challenging perceptions, especially mine, and encouraging me to embrace my time to be fallow. My post op journey has only been a month but it has really shifted my perceptions and increased my graditude for all the little things that happen every day. Oh and how well the 1% fits into this with my words create and move. Embracing the joy and acceptance of being fallow. 😊
One of my favourite books is The Secret Garden. I love how discovering the wild locked up garden helps bring the people around it to life. It also makes me think of your post about fallow, letting nature take over, creating something even more beautiful by letting it be free. Your garden definitely gives me Secret Garden vibes and I love it
Ughhh, this is what I needed to hear. I’ve stepped away from my art business for almost a year now and the whole time I’ve felt weird and guilty, like I’m not allowed to do that. But in reality, it’s just making space for what’s next. Thank you for writing this and allowing me this insight.
Dear Brooke. This post hit me so, so beautifully hard. Thank you! I’m so grateful for your words.
For a handful of years I’ve been dealing with chronic pain that felt so limiting. Yes, I can still work and be social most days but I’m also so tired. And slowing down is difficult. I’ve felt, on many occasions, that my body is betraying me and working against me. I had to leave a job as a wildfire firefighter and I still haven’t dealt with that loss completely. I’ve missed out on things that I wanted to do and was forced to do less. And from that, sometimes beautiful has blossomed. All of the sudden, I have more time and energy (most days) to be there for people I love. To support them in difficult times. To focus on my new-ish job as a doula full time (more like part time but I’m not working anywhere else) and to see the ripple effects of my care spread out. I was forced to slow down and that gave me space to see beauty I would potentially have missed. Some days I’m angry and want my old energy back. Some days I cry because life is just so beautiful. The neglected garden of my old l self is different, but maybe more magical.
Thanks for sharing this Brooke. It is so hard for many to realise rest of restorative and much needed - myself included! Life goes on with or without our input. I include myself in this - you give so many an opportunity to ponder and reexamine their own lives. I've been listening to and reading your work for a decade now and it's given me a lot of good pondering! It's a real treat to have some quiet time to listen to or read what you write - a safe and cozy space!
This post also reminds me of great book I read last year - 'Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times' by Katherine May. Not sure where I heard about it, maybe from you! 😊
Brooke - such beauty! Slow rebellion and vivacious fallow. Ah life is richer and more amazing than we know. Thank you for these soul affirming sightings. ❤️
Bloody lovely Brooke.
Anna Hooking's poem straight from Gill's substack - do you two have mental telepathy or something?! Love Cherie
Nothing
It occurred to me today
it did
if i did nothing
And faded far far away
But just did nothing
the outcome would be the same
as
doing everything
Beautiful 🙏 fallow
My rebellion that supports this idea of fallow is my only plan for a Sunday is a walk in the bush with my dog that has no end time we leave simply when we are ready and when arriving home sit with a cuppa
You are a delight Brooke
Kindest 💞Joh
To rebel against the status quo IS to slow down, to rest, to question the information and stuff and the sheer amount we consume, to generously wonder what we’re chasing and why.
This sounds like living an examined life : )
Well thanks for making me cry Brooke. Honestly your writing and insights are always so worth taking the time to read. I relate to your current season and the frustration mostly due to chronic pain which has become so…whatever. Words and such. This was a beautiful encouragement to read with my morning coffee. I’d like to try and see it as gentle rebellion. 🫶🏻Thank you. xx
Look at your beautiful garden! 💚
Amazing to see what blooms when we relinquish control and allow nature to take its course, both in our gardens and in our lives. I'm slowly sinking into a personal hibernation period, a creative fallowing in line with the season ahead. It feels wonderful to be turning inwards, saying no and cocooning (in the company of books). I'm reading Wintering by Katherine May at present and it's the perfect guide into this time of rest.
I'm curious Brooke, having gone through a forced fallowing over summer how do you feel about the season to come? X
This is so beautiful Brooke. I was just about to record a podcast about the 'seasons of matrescence' where I describe the postpartum weeks as a 'wintering' of sorts. A time to rest, recover and rejuvenate after the 'seasons' of growth and fruition of pregnancy and birth. I am going to ponder the concept of 'fallow' as it seems very apt. Postpartum IS messy, uncontrollable and a season of 'not-doing' so this word is perfect. :)
L’il Bean was born in my own fallow of time off to heal this year, inside me I feel like your beautiful garden, revitalised with vigour! So cool to see it so concrete in the world! Thank you xo
Another beautiful bit of writing. Once again challenging perceptions, especially mine, and encouraging me to embrace my time to be fallow. My post op journey has only been a month but it has really shifted my perceptions and increased my graditude for all the little things that happen every day. Oh and how well the 1% fits into this with my words create and move. Embracing the joy and acceptance of being fallow. 😊
One of my favourite books is The Secret Garden. I love how discovering the wild locked up garden helps bring the people around it to life. It also makes me think of your post about fallow, letting nature take over, creating something even more beautiful by letting it be free. Your garden definitely gives me Secret Garden vibes and I love it
Ughhh, this is what I needed to hear. I’ve stepped away from my art business for almost a year now and the whole time I’ve felt weird and guilty, like I’m not allowed to do that. But in reality, it’s just making space for what’s next. Thank you for writing this and allowing me this insight.
Dear Brooke. This post hit me so, so beautifully hard. Thank you! I’m so grateful for your words.
For a handful of years I’ve been dealing with chronic pain that felt so limiting. Yes, I can still work and be social most days but I’m also so tired. And slowing down is difficult. I’ve felt, on many occasions, that my body is betraying me and working against me. I had to leave a job as a wildfire firefighter and I still haven’t dealt with that loss completely. I’ve missed out on things that I wanted to do and was forced to do less. And from that, sometimes beautiful has blossomed. All of the sudden, I have more time and energy (most days) to be there for people I love. To support them in difficult times. To focus on my new-ish job as a doula full time (more like part time but I’m not working anywhere else) and to see the ripple effects of my care spread out. I was forced to slow down and that gave me space to see beauty I would potentially have missed. Some days I’m angry and want my old energy back. Some days I cry because life is just so beautiful. The neglected garden of my old l self is different, but maybe more magical.
Thanks for sharing this Brooke. It is so hard for many to realise rest of restorative and much needed - myself included! Life goes on with or without our input. I include myself in this - you give so many an opportunity to ponder and reexamine their own lives. I've been listening to and reading your work for a decade now and it's given me a lot of good pondering! It's a real treat to have some quiet time to listen to or read what you write - a safe and cozy space!
This post also reminds me of great book I read last year - 'Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times' by Katherine May. Not sure where I heard about it, maybe from you! 😊
You give me lots to think about, Brooke. Seeing your garden, I think nature taking its course is like having a long party with lots of joy.
Tears in my eyes as I listened to you read, Brooke. What a beautiful real-life examination and realisation. Thank you, as always, for sharing with us.
Loved reading this, thank you.
Brooke - such beauty! Slow rebellion and vivacious fallow. Ah life is richer and more amazing than we know. Thank you for these soul affirming sightings. ❤️