Global events have sent my anxiety sky rocketing over the past week and I’m finding it harder lately to stick my happy mask on for the benefit of the outside world, not myself. I’ve had bad insomnia and total writer’s block – I have stopped working on both novel drafts #5 and #6. For anyone who knows me in the real world, if I don’t write, I’m in a dark place. I’m not ashamed to talk about mental health issues, as I used to be when I was younger. In any case, I’ve had my next round of feedback from my editor for my novel forthcoming later this year, so that should occupy me and kick me out of my brain-funk, even if I’m not actively writing new work.
Sunflowers have become synonymous with independence in the last few weeks, being the national flower of the Ukraine. Coincidentally, sunflowers have always been my favourite flower. They feature in many of my social media and blog posts – here’s one from last year of me writing in the garden with last year’s sunflowers. My family and I will be planting more sunflower seeds this month as we do annually, once the frost has gone. I’m looking forward to them blooming this year. 🌻
Leilanie Stewart 