22 Comments
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Jenna Vandenberg's avatar

A week-long writers workshop is definitely in my “next three years” wish list!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Make it happen! I think as a teacher, you really deserve the role reversal of being a student and focusing on your personal development.

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Jennifer Louden's avatar

I could not love this more!! Also: your creative cave is magical!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank YOU for everything you shared, role-modeled, and inspired, and thanks for reading my story!

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Jennifer Louden's avatar

It’s my absolute pleasure!

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Genevieve Callahan's avatar

Thank you Sarah for sharing your experience with reframing and allowing for relaxed focus. Getting designated time away from our phones appears more important than ever. I love reading everything you write and admire your open heart and determination 🙏💖

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you! Yes, as I tell my kids and myself, put your phone down and look around!

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Blue's avatar

Great post I always appreciate a gentle reminder to be mindful

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Henriette Lazaridis's avatar

That idea of turning off wifi is so great. Such a simple thing to do and yet so challenging too. I write my drafts longhand, and that means I'm always off wifi since my notebook is, well, analog. But I have to work at resisting the temptation of the iphone ping, and when I'm revising, I need to turn wifi off (which I have not been doing lately!).

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, and congrats on Galiot’s launch!

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Henriette Lazaridis's avatar

Thanks! We’re excited!

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Ali Lopez's avatar

So wonderful Sarah! And inspirational. I have been eyeing the same writing retreat for the last few years.... maybe this year will be the year I go for it!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you, and I hope you go for it :-).

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Jeremy Côté's avatar

Thank you Sarah for this essay. I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of “enough”, both in terms of my creative practices and the commitments I make, and your writing made me reflect some more. Also, I love the idea of a running + writing retreat! Sounds like a great way to find a cohort with a common mission.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you Jeremy, and thanks for reading!

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Scott Dunlap's avatar

I love everything about this post! Very inspiring.

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thanks so much, Scott, that means a lot to me!

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Scott Dunlap's avatar

Now that I know I'm not interrupting your writing with a comment, I can leave them all the time! 😁

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Sophie Speidel's avatar

I loved reading about your retreat and how you are applying what you learned! I am insipired to be more mindful during the day (easy for me with working with teens) and at home, putting down the phone and instead throwing the frisbee with the dogs, reading a good book (loved Katie's!), or doing nothing! XO

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Thank you, Sophie! I'm almost done with her book too; it complements what I'm thinking and doing now.

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Mike Hahn's avatar

So much of what goes into creating a sustainable, productive, joyful running practice ports right over to writing (and vice-versa). Approaching that cave with curiosity (what will I find in here today?) is the name of the game. Enjoy the new energy! Viva la cave!

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Sarah Lavender Smith's avatar

Yes, and thanks for reading!

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