Such a lovely cottage! I’m in between homes right now and cities too. I sold a beloved home of 10 years in Feb and I’m in a new city in a rental. Turns out I don’t like this city at all. I knew it the first time I visited but moved here anyway for various reasons. I have been visiting homes to buy but that’s on hold now too. But it’s so interesting to walk in and immediately know it’s a No vs “I think this could make a wonderful home.” It’s the lighting, a window in the kitchen for me, a functional kitchen (vs just pretty but impractical). But there’s also just an energetic feeling to it. I’m definitely interested in information about a writing retreat either individually or with a small group.
I have a feeling that you're moving along the coast from me (I'm between Brighton and Worthing). I visit Chichester and the surrounding areas often. If that's the beach I think it is, it's absolutely stunning.
Does this have to be fiction writing? I write non-fiction and don't see myself writing fiction.
Hi Denyse! Lovely to meet you. Yes, nonfiction writers are most welcome! And yes, it looks like we'll be not too far away from each other. I'm really looking forward to exploring that part of England. It's all new to me! I open to any recommendations you might have of things I shouldn't miss, if you would like to share. And I'll put you on the list for advance info for the retreat.
That is such a a gorgeous house in a lovely location Anne, and I am sure you will be very happy. You must have visualized something like this and made it happen. I have no doubt any new plans, such as the creative writing group work, will happen too. Good luck 🍀🤞
Thank you, Lucy! Yes, I have been visualizing a cottage just like this for a while, and thought a location by the sea would be incredible, but didn’t think it would ever happen!
Dear Anne, your future cottage looks and sounds amazing!! I can absolutely relate to you loving Edinburgh but now pivoting toward what feels good right now, I find your way of living, so in tune with yourself and open, very inspiring! Please put me on the list for your retreat as well, it just resonates so much with what I am looking for for the rest of this year.
What a wonderful home, Anne. I am very familiar with the in between of being one place but knowing I’ll be somewhere else relatively soon. I love the idea of writer’s retreats, and hosting in the off season would certainly help with airfare and other expenses. My budget doesn’t extend to international travel right now, but I would bet you get some takers!
Hi Anne, I love the idea of a writer's retreat or for 1-2 people to come during the year. Please add me to the list. It would be amazing to visit and write in England, in a quaint seaside town, writing with you and other like-minded women. Sounds like a great experience.
Congratulations, Anne, it feels so good to find a place you can call home! Are you anywhere near Hastings where there's an amazing artistic community and where I have a couple of good friends? Let's try to hook up anyway next time I'm in London ...
I’d love to be included in the list for details on the writing retreat! Hi, I’m Grace. I’ve just begun diving into your readings and so much is resonating. Especially the homesick but for not a “place” feeling, more like wanting a place to belong. I’ve been wandering around the earth too. Thanks for all you share.
What a gorgeous retreat, Anne! I'm delighted for you. It looks like a dreamy place to rest, write, be inspired. So many amazing writers called Sussex home- you are in great company.
The word "trust" comes up for me reading this post. You had an image of workshops and, although it didn't show up in the FORM you thought it would, you were moving toward it all the time. hoorah!
Your new home (for the next 10 months😀) is lovely! Those dunes! I’d love to know about retreats for the spring. I live in Barcelona and visiting England is definitely on my wish list for the near future. As it turns out, my first flight since my back injury in Feb will be to Edinburgh in mid-August as an Aussie virtual ‘soul sister’ I met thru sobriety is passing through then. Quite excited to travel again. I am flexible as to physical homes or geographical homes. For me, it’s where ever my heart is, and that is close to my daughters, who live in Barcelona and Paris. I am not attached to place as much as to people. I love experiencing a new geographic location for a few years or several years and then happily move on. I also happily rent a flat. No desire to own a home although I did with my ex husband the 33 years of our marriage. Now I like the no-strings-attached of renting. Perhaps not the most financially sound real estate approach but it works for me. Look forward to more on how you’re listening more to your intuition Anne. Same here 💗
That's great, Amy! I've put you on the list. And how wonderful you'll be meeting up with your friend in Edinburgh! I love what you say about your approach to homes. Being near my daugther is also very much a concern. She's not settled anywhere yet, though. I'm also starting to think that renting may be the best for me longer term as well. I wonder, how do you deal with the whole 'stuff' question--how much to accumulate and move around? That is a topic for a future post, I think. I've managed to accumulate some things here in Manchester and have been looking around for a moving service, which is so expensive! I don't have any big furniture, though, thank goodness.
Renting and moving frequently means holding onto not so much stuff, and I know you have been good about that, Anne, as you’ve shared in the past—no doubt better than me. My move to Europe from Florida was straightforward as I had no furniture (not any I cared about) and few belongings I wanted to ship other than books, journals, photographs, some clothing. I pared way down on everything. It felt so great to lighten my load. Now I rent a furnished place. I have added a few pieces that were functional. Including a huge beautiful bookcase. As long as my older daughter & partner remain here in Barcelona, this is where I’ll be, so feels meaningful to set up home in a bit of a more permanent way in terms of bookcases, a grill for the terrace, etc . But if the time came to move, I’d easily be able to part with all of it.
That sounds great, Amy! I have assumed that I want to find a home, a place to settle in and furnish to my heart's content, but I'm not sure so sure anymore. I'd like to stop feeling that I'm waiting for 'real life' to begin. This is it!
I think too, how nice it would be to find the type of place you have found, ever wishing to own something like it. "This is my temporary home" -Carrie Underwood sings frequently in my head.
I too would love a place of retreat and to have retreats for writers, health & wellness, cooking classes based off the food and culture of the area... wherever that would be. But same as a lot of other single women struggling with the ever rising costs of homes and the trials of wanting it in another country.. I don't see it in my future. Not without help, even if the help is simply the know how.
Yes, I don't know that I'll ever have it either. That is why I'm trying another path, because it's really about bringing women together, and if I can do that in a temporary place, but near by where I'm living, it seems worth it. The full dream is too far out there to wait for it!
Such a lovely cottage! I’m in between homes right now and cities too. I sold a beloved home of 10 years in Feb and I’m in a new city in a rental. Turns out I don’t like this city at all. I knew it the first time I visited but moved here anyway for various reasons. I have been visiting homes to buy but that’s on hold now too. But it’s so interesting to walk in and immediately know it’s a No vs “I think this could make a wonderful home.” It’s the lighting, a window in the kitchen for me, a functional kitchen (vs just pretty but impractical). But there’s also just an energetic feeling to it. I’m definitely interested in information about a writing retreat either individually or with a small group.
Thrilled for you, my Dear Anne! Can’t wait for this to developed and settle into comfort in all aspects of mind and spirit.
Thank you, Anne Marie!! ❤️
I have a feeling that you're moving along the coast from me (I'm between Brighton and Worthing). I visit Chichester and the surrounding areas often. If that's the beach I think it is, it's absolutely stunning.
Does this have to be fiction writing? I write non-fiction and don't see myself writing fiction.
Hi Denyse! Lovely to meet you. Yes, nonfiction writers are most welcome! And yes, it looks like we'll be not too far away from each other. I'm really looking forward to exploring that part of England. It's all new to me! I open to any recommendations you might have of things I shouldn't miss, if you would like to share. And I'll put you on the list for advance info for the retreat.
That is such a a gorgeous house in a lovely location Anne, and I am sure you will be very happy. You must have visualized something like this and made it happen. I have no doubt any new plans, such as the creative writing group work, will happen too. Good luck 🍀🤞
Thank you, Lucy! Yes, I have been visualizing a cottage just like this for a while, and thought a location by the sea would be incredible, but didn’t think it would ever happen!
Dear Anne, your future cottage looks and sounds amazing!! I can absolutely relate to you loving Edinburgh but now pivoting toward what feels good right now, I find your way of living, so in tune with yourself and open, very inspiring! Please put me on the list for your retreat as well, it just resonates so much with what I am looking for for the rest of this year.
Hi Alissa--That's great! I've put you on this list and look forward to sharing the details!
Sounds great, and you may appreciate having a home of your own if you have a writer's retreat.
Sounds great, and you may appreciate having a home of your own if you have a writer's retreat.
What a wonderful home, Anne. I am very familiar with the in between of being one place but knowing I’ll be somewhere else relatively soon. I love the idea of writer’s retreats, and hosting in the off season would certainly help with airfare and other expenses. My budget doesn’t extend to international travel right now, but I would bet you get some takers!
Thank you, Emily! Best of luck with your own in-between-ness. :)
Thank you!
Hi Anne, I love the idea of a writer's retreat or for 1-2 people to come during the year. Please add me to the list. It would be amazing to visit and write in England, in a quaint seaside town, writing with you and other like-minded women. Sounds like a great experience.
Yes, it does, doesn’t it? I’m excited about it. I’ll put you on the list. :)
Congratulations, Anne, it feels so good to find a place you can call home! Are you anywhere near Hastings where there's an amazing artistic community and where I have a couple of good friends? Let's try to hook up anyway next time I'm in London ...
Hi Gabrielle! I would love to meet up when you're in London. Do let me know!
Looks like I'll be about 3.5 hours from Hastings.
Any step in the direction of a dream is a good one. Enjoy your new home. It looks lovely.
Thank you, Steph!
I’d love to be included in the list for details on the writing retreat! Hi, I’m Grace. I’ve just begun diving into your readings and so much is resonating. Especially the homesick but for not a “place” feeling, more like wanting a place to belong. I’ve been wandering around the earth too. Thanks for all you share.
Hi Grace--I'm glad you've found us here. Another wanderer is most welcome! I've put you on the list. Details fortchoming. :)
What a gorgeous retreat, Anne! I'm delighted for you. It looks like a dreamy place to rest, write, be inspired. So many amazing writers called Sussex home- you are in great company.
Thank you, Julie!
Fabulous! I love this place.
The word "trust" comes up for me reading this post. You had an image of workshops and, although it didn't show up in the FORM you thought it would, you were moving toward it all the time. hoorah!
Your new home (for the next 10 months😀) is lovely! Those dunes! I’d love to know about retreats for the spring. I live in Barcelona and visiting England is definitely on my wish list for the near future. As it turns out, my first flight since my back injury in Feb will be to Edinburgh in mid-August as an Aussie virtual ‘soul sister’ I met thru sobriety is passing through then. Quite excited to travel again. I am flexible as to physical homes or geographical homes. For me, it’s where ever my heart is, and that is close to my daughters, who live in Barcelona and Paris. I am not attached to place as much as to people. I love experiencing a new geographic location for a few years or several years and then happily move on. I also happily rent a flat. No desire to own a home although I did with my ex husband the 33 years of our marriage. Now I like the no-strings-attached of renting. Perhaps not the most financially sound real estate approach but it works for me. Look forward to more on how you’re listening more to your intuition Anne. Same here 💗
That's great, Amy! I've put you on the list. And how wonderful you'll be meeting up with your friend in Edinburgh! I love what you say about your approach to homes. Being near my daugther is also very much a concern. She's not settled anywhere yet, though. I'm also starting to think that renting may be the best for me longer term as well. I wonder, how do you deal with the whole 'stuff' question--how much to accumulate and move around? That is a topic for a future post, I think. I've managed to accumulate some things here in Manchester and have been looking around for a moving service, which is so expensive! I don't have any big furniture, though, thank goodness.
Renting and moving frequently means holding onto not so much stuff, and I know you have been good about that, Anne, as you’ve shared in the past—no doubt better than me. My move to Europe from Florida was straightforward as I had no furniture (not any I cared about) and few belongings I wanted to ship other than books, journals, photographs, some clothing. I pared way down on everything. It felt so great to lighten my load. Now I rent a furnished place. I have added a few pieces that were functional. Including a huge beautiful bookcase. As long as my older daughter & partner remain here in Barcelona, this is where I’ll be, so feels meaningful to set up home in a bit of a more permanent way in terms of bookcases, a grill for the terrace, etc . But if the time came to move, I’d easily be able to part with all of it.
That sounds great, Amy! I have assumed that I want to find a home, a place to settle in and furnish to my heart's content, but I'm not sure so sure anymore. I'd like to stop feeling that I'm waiting for 'real life' to begin. This is it!
I think too, how nice it would be to find the type of place you have found, ever wishing to own something like it. "This is my temporary home" -Carrie Underwood sings frequently in my head.
I too would love a place of retreat and to have retreats for writers, health & wellness, cooking classes based off the food and culture of the area... wherever that would be. But same as a lot of other single women struggling with the ever rising costs of homes and the trials of wanting it in another country.. I don't see it in my future. Not without help, even if the help is simply the know how.
Yes, I don't know that I'll ever have it either. That is why I'm trying another path, because it's really about bringing women together, and if I can do that in a temporary place, but near by where I'm living, it seems worth it. The full dream is too far out there to wait for it!
Exactly, we need to brainstorm for other ways. It has to be attainable, we can't keep waiting, and it will definitely be worth it