And I felt like my heart had been so thoroughly and irreparably broken that there could be no real joy again, that at best there might eventually be a little contentment. Everyone wanted me to get help and rejoin life, pick up the pieces and move on, and I tried to, I wanted to, but I just had to lie in the mud with my arms wrapped around myself, eyes closed, grieving, until I didnโt have to anymore.
Anne LamottI think that is why we stay close to our families, no matter how neurotic the members, how deeply annoying or dull- because when people have seen you at your worst, you donโt have to put on the mask as much.
Anne LamottDo you mind even a little that you are still addicted to people-pleasing, and are still putting everyone elseโs needs and laundry and career ahead of your creative, spiritual life? Giving all your life force away, to โhelpโ and impress. Well, your help is not helpful, and falls short.
Anne LamottNeedless to say, there was no one around remotely fitting the description of a normal person: I was at a writing conference.
Anne LamottPerfectionism means that you try desperately not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived. Clutter is wonderfully fertile ground - you can still discover new treasures under all those piles, clean things up, edit things out, fix things, get a grip. Tidiness suggests that something is as good as it's going to get. Tidiness makes me think of held breath, of suspended animation, while writing needs to breathe and move.
Anne Lamott