1-Up - My wins this week [#7]
Defiance and magic in writing
This week’s been a bit of a time for me as a trans person in the UK. But we will all continue to exist in defiance. An all the more reason to check in with what’s felt good and brought a sense of purpose these last few days.
For my Trans+ family out there, I hope you’re managing to keep well. For everyone, my comments are always open for anything to want to share.
Work win of the week / Best moment
I was approached by The Lead asking me to write two pieces this week, and they gave me a lovely shout-out in a recent newsletter of theirs.
This publication was an unexpected place for me to land as a journalist, but it seems they really like what I do and want to support my work, which is wonderful.
Little extra announcement! One of the two pieces I was commissioned for is on the reaction of UK Trans+ community to the Supreme Court’s anti-trans ruling. So, if you’re living here and have thoughts and feelings you’d like to contribute, comment or drop into my DMs. I’d love to have you, and you’re welcome to be anonymous if that’s safer or better for you.
This lets me help and hold space for my community. This is what I do my work for, and why I’m marking it as a defiant highpoint of my week. I’m ever more grateful that I have my writing to support and advocate for myself and others.
Challenge faced
A blow to my comfort existing in public has been hard to take, as I’m rarely comfortable around people I don’t know well as it is.
I’ve felt even less adept at socialising than usual. I’m not sure if the SC ruling has also caused this in some way. I wouldn’t be surprised if so.
But it’s all an opportunity to assert that I’m worthy of taking up the space I do, whether I conform to other people’s ideas of approachability and politeness or not.
Favourite line written this week
“I am no empty vessel. I’m a pooling spillage that someone looking down may see their reflection in me, altered and made a richly repulsive colour.”
Some spur-of-the-moment experiments with an almost stream of consciousness style brought forward some stuff from my own childhood. The way writing as a complicated character such as Byron can clarify parts of our own minds and experiences – it really is magic.
Most of us, I’m sure, struggle to really take stock of and enjoy our achievements in a dizzyingly content-and-productivity obsessed culture. I know I do.
So, I thought I’d start this short little writing ritual, making space for just that.
If this resonates, I encourage you to use and adapt my template for your own purposes. And as I said, feel free to share any wins you’ve had lately. However big or small they are, I’d love to celebrate with you!
And until next time friends, take heart.
