… but once the initial euphoria of having a job again wore off I was beset by doubts.
Could I juggle everything. A full-time job, a dog, a mother in a nursing home, a life, a blog …
I retreated for a while, and I spent my evenings just reading and listening to music. New music, found via the lovely medium of artist radio on last.fm.
And after a few days I realised that I had to do this. That I had to sing the praises of the lovely books I’m reading. As soon as I stopped thinking about what I would write the words and the ideas began to form in my head again, quite naturally.
I just need to find a little more self-belief, and maybe to think as little bit less.
Things may be a little quieter than they were, but I’m still here.
I have a plan for next week. And here it is, interspersed with some of the things I’ve been listening to.
Monday: A novel published last year, that spins around an early twentieth century icon to tell the tale of a very different woman who crossed her path. It was very nearly perfect …
Three sisters from Watford offered up the first new piece of music that caught my ear. It seemed very timely, and now it is lodged in my head …
Tuesday: An extraordinary work of non fiction: London at war brought to life through the the letters, diaries and fiction of five remarkable writers. I can’t find the word to explain how wonderful this is yet, but I will …
I was on the other side of the room when I heard a voice coming out of my computer, and I was smitten …
Wednesday: Briar returns, with another game of guessing the blogger from five of their books…
I thought this was going to be a little too folky for me, but I was charmed. And The Leisure Society sound rather like Belle and Sebastian in their more up-tempo moments, and that has to be a good thing …
Thursday: A first encounter with a familiar name from the early part of the twentieth century, that left me eager to read more of his work but uncertain about what I should read next …
I loved Natasha Khan’s first record, I was a little less taken with her second, and her third passed me by. Until I heard this …
Friday: A gothic romance from the seventies, set in Cornwall. The perfect book for a cold, damp, dark night like tonight. Unless I change my mind, and pick up another book, of course …
Fleur in her World 
The Staves ❤ I saw them perform at Eurosonic (a showcase festival in my city) 2 years ago and have been eagerly awaiting the release of their album since. We bought it on our visit to London, since it doesn't seem to be available in the NL right now. I'm very happy to see them mentioned on a blog.
As for combining new jobs with blogging, I completely understand where you are coming from. I'm finding it somewhat difficult to find time regularly as well since starting a job, but I do really miss posting & commenting regularly. I have found out that blogging equals a form of intellectual stimulation and more personal output that I don't think I could live without (or well, not without feeling something is missing).
We’ll just look forward to your posts whenever you have time. {I’m kind of in the same boat myself…it just makes my reading and talking-about-reading time more precious.} I’m very intrigued about Monday and Tuesday…
I think those small respites are necessary to one’s mental well being, and it’s true: once you stop thinking about what you have to say, what you want to say becomes clearer. Here’s to peace in your life, in all the busy aspects. xo
Lots to look forward to next week! I think it’s okay to disappear from time to time…I like to think it makes for a better blogger.
Wow – what a voice that Julia Stone has!
I look forward to reading your posts, whenever they come. Looking after yourself is the best way of then dealing with all the other things and balancing them correctly. It’s amazing once relaxed how much I want to say or do!
We all have to disappear at times so I wouldn’t be too worried. An ambitious week ahead and I look forward to some interesting sounding posts.
I’m another last.fm user, I love it but should add new music to it more regularly than I do. Glad you’re still well and busy-good rather than lost in the snow. 🙂
I’m glad you’re back & looking forward to your posts on next week! Gothic + Cornwall is always a win for me. 🙂