Wow, Allie! Congratulations on this new little life on the way and motherhood unfolding. This is the most contemplative, nuanced reflection I've ever encountered on pregnancy and the journey into motherhood and the immense spectrum of perspectives and emotions it stirs up. Kudos to you for being willing to stand in the uncertainty of it all, and the truth of your experience and resist the forces that try to pull us "on script" to how we're "supposed" to think/feel. What a gift your trail-blazing here can be to others. There are few shifts more complex and nuanced than the journey to and transformation into motherhood, yet we live in a patriarchal, capitalist culture that has almost no space for the realness of this. I'm wishing you ample external support and deep inner richness as you continue to navigate all the surprises, joys, and pains of being undone and remade in the transformational passage. Sending you such a big hug from half a world away. XO
Kai! Thank you so, so much for this generous and nuanced reading of my reflections and musings -- I'm deeply touched. Yes, I am realising more and more as I move through it how little is written of the actual visceral and very multiple experiences of pregnancy(ies)--it is a stark absence. I am continually humbled by the complexities and nuances that continue to be revealed on what feels like a daily basis (!) Writing is my way of attempting to make sense of, or at least affirm the presence of, these multiplicities and paradoxes, and it's a true gift (and salve) to be in conversation with you all here. Speaking of, I ADORE The New Story and it feels like such a treat to be in conversation with your heart and mind here on Substack. Sending you huge hugs and lots of appreciation across the oceans <3
I’m so glad to hear all of this, Allie. So glad we are still in touch heart-and-mind all these years after Now What, and across all the oceans. So glad we both have the medicine of writing in our lives. So glad to hear you’re appreciating The New Story. I’m going to share your piece with a beloved friend of mine who is Swedish and also expecting her first in January. I have a feeling she’d appreciate the depth and nuance of your writing, reflecting, and living the journey. Big love to you.
Allie, this is so beautiful. A huge congratulations on all of this amazing news, I'm so glad you will be at the University of Copenhagen! So happy for you and your family.
Jasmine, thank you so much!! <3 I hope Copenhagen keeps our lives, work, and paths crossing -- I have a strong feeling it will :) Sending love from here to there xx
Allie, huge congratulations to you and Tobias!! I loved this issue because of your happy news (baby! fellowship! new role!), and your writing continues to captivate me. Thank you for being so generous in sharing what is so deeply personal, and exploring all the layers of emotion that you are experiencing. What an enormous year 2024 is shaping up to be for you and your family! I cannot wait to read the next one!
Wow, Allie! Congratulations on this new little life on the way and motherhood unfolding. This is the most contemplative, nuanced reflection I've ever encountered on pregnancy and the journey into motherhood and the immense spectrum of perspectives and emotions it stirs up. Kudos to you for being willing to stand in the uncertainty of it all, and the truth of your experience and resist the forces that try to pull us "on script" to how we're "supposed" to think/feel. What a gift your trail-blazing here can be to others. There are few shifts more complex and nuanced than the journey to and transformation into motherhood, yet we live in a patriarchal, capitalist culture that has almost no space for the realness of this. I'm wishing you ample external support and deep inner richness as you continue to navigate all the surprises, joys, and pains of being undone and remade in the transformational passage. Sending you such a big hug from half a world away. XO
Kai! Thank you so, so much for this generous and nuanced reading of my reflections and musings -- I'm deeply touched. Yes, I am realising more and more as I move through it how little is written of the actual visceral and very multiple experiences of pregnancy(ies)--it is a stark absence. I am continually humbled by the complexities and nuances that continue to be revealed on what feels like a daily basis (!) Writing is my way of attempting to make sense of, or at least affirm the presence of, these multiplicities and paradoxes, and it's a true gift (and salve) to be in conversation with you all here. Speaking of, I ADORE The New Story and it feels like such a treat to be in conversation with your heart and mind here on Substack. Sending you huge hugs and lots of appreciation across the oceans <3
I’m so glad to hear all of this, Allie. So glad we are still in touch heart-and-mind all these years after Now What, and across all the oceans. So glad we both have the medicine of writing in our lives. So glad to hear you’re appreciating The New Story. I’m going to share your piece with a beloved friend of mine who is Swedish and also expecting her first in January. I have a feeling she’d appreciate the depth and nuance of your writing, reflecting, and living the journey. Big love to you.
Allie, this is so beautiful. A huge congratulations on all of this amazing news, I'm so glad you will be at the University of Copenhagen! So happy for you and your family.
Jasmine, thank you so much!! <3 I hope Copenhagen keeps our lives, work, and paths crossing -- I have a strong feeling it will :) Sending love from here to there xx
Allie, huge congratulations to you and Tobias!! I loved this issue because of your happy news (baby! fellowship! new role!), and your writing continues to captivate me. Thank you for being so generous in sharing what is so deeply personal, and exploring all the layers of emotion that you are experiencing. What an enormous year 2024 is shaping up to be for you and your family! I cannot wait to read the next one!