It’s easy to forget what it feels like to take your first steps. Especially when you’ve been walking skillfully for years. So how then, can you remember?
Well one option is: try stilts.
That’s what I did.
I ordered a simple pair on Amazon and gave it a go at the park. I succeeded too! I took my first steps both with, and then without, holding the fence. And thennnn, I was exhausted! My legs felt wobbly and heavy on regular ground, I needed a drink of water and I needed to lay down.
My intention with all of this was originally unrelated to writing. And yet, writing is exactly where it led.
I’ve drafted this prologue a few times. I’ve questioned the promise I made in my Welcome Letter to share content from “What If Magic Is Real?” because… what if you realize it’s more than just a story, what if you realize I believe all those words that I wrote? I thought about making the whole thing one step removed from me- changing my name to that of another- but I can’t.
The only way to share this story that you’re about to read (from the “What If Magic Is Real?” Journal), is with my name. My signature is inscribed in it, it’s the same signature I have tattooed on my skin.
So, we move forward. The steps might be wobbly. I might want to lay down and hide after I click “publish” some times. But I will succeed in taking the steps.
Now listen, a newsletter online isn’t the ideal way for you to find this journal written by younger me. The ideal way would be if I tied the handwritten notebook up in a tree, and you were out taking a walk at night, thinking about life, when it fell down and landed by your feet. You’d take a look around at the empty streets and realize the possession of this book was a secret between you and the world to keep.
So we agree? You found this book one night because it fell down from a tree. Under a warm light, you open the lock, feel the antique cotton paper, and flip through the pages.
An index card falls out.
It reads…
“Prologue: Hi 🙂 You have found the invitation to wander through these pages. I’m glad. But know this invitation is not to be taken lightly. In fact, it comes with a responsibility- to protect that which you are a witness to. Knowing about this world, wandering around in it (whether together with me or on your own in your journal) means becoming one of its guardians. A guardian of the words, of the magic, of the innocence it took to bring this to life in the first place. Do you accept this guardianship? If yes, then proceed.”
You feel a smile tug at your eyes as you place the index card beside you thinking it will make a splendid bookmark. You guess you’ve found something special, you slowly turn to the first page.
January 26th 2024
J: What if magic is real?
~ Would it really be a surprise? To you?
J: No, I guess it wouldn’t.
~ Janet, I’m so happy you’re here. I’m so glad you had the courage to write the first words on a blank page. And you chose such wonderful words. You chose the words that connect deeply to your heart.
J: Maybe. I remember how much I believed in magic when I was little. I remember how long I maintained that belief, but it hasn’t felt the same for a while. I don’t remember how to do magic.
~ You just did magic. You found the words that acted like a key back to me. Give me the okay that you’re ready to hear what I have to say, and we’ll get on our way.
J: You have my okay.
[Signature]
You find yourself reading a conversation between a girl and her what-seems-like-imaginary-friend in her what-seems-like-imaginary-world. As the imaginary friend tries to convince the girl of magic, you wonder, if you might allow her to convince you too.
See you soon with more pages.
Love, Janet
PS. The ask is real. The book, the words, the world, the story, are sacred. Protect it with me. Thank you.
Welcome to the Gifts From Younger Me newsletter. It will be available on LinkedIn, Substack, and also on my website curiouswanderingsouls.com.
This newsletter is a curious place to land when adulthood feels heavy and your spark feels dim. I will be sharing notes and stories written by younger me, allowing her voice to be heard and her magic to be felt. Follow along, celebrate her with me 🙂
The first content I’ll be sharing comes from What If Magic Is Real?
“It’s the one where practically everything takes place on the planet Eponicericeval. It reads like a book. It’s all about magic and remembrance and personal power. I think it’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever written, and it’s very close to my heart. It’s a perfect example of what I mean when I say I can travel to different worlds when I write. The line between fiction and reality is blurry.” ~Janet messaging her friend about this journal
When you start reading, you might only see me. As you continue reading, you might also find a version of you.