Last summer, while in the midst of a failing relationship and nervous breakdown, I read Glynnis' memoir "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" and I thought to myself, "I need to go back to Paris...I need to live there. I miss the woman I am in that city." Me, back then, didn't believe it was possible.
Sitting here today, in my apartment in Paris, spending my days writing, doing nothing, riding bikes in flowy skirts... I saw so much of myself in your words. Thank you for sharing 🩵
Hi, another woman in her 30s here, 36 years old to be exact, aiming to build a life between Berlin and Paris ... and hopefully just be able to stay in Paris until I'm grey. This piece was really meant for me! "Your problems won’t disappear in a new place, but you can find and access different parts of yourself in new places, and those parts, and the version of you you become, will approach those problems in new ways." THIS!! This is the answer I was looking for when ppl say "You can't run away from yourself". Paris has unlocked so many versions of myself like no other city - it's my choosen home.
I really loved reading this, especially how you framed the way we have different relationships with cities. As someone who has moved around a lot growing up, I’ve always found I’m slightly different in every city (and in different languages too!)
Honestly the best moment of my day reading this. Two weeks out of a five year relationship that was mostly free therapy and apologizing for not responding to messages quick enough. He broke up with me for loving writing more than him. I'm 52 and should recognize this shit by now. Will say though that I'm waiting for agent responses on a novel about a woman who leaves her fundamentalist marriage for a friendship with an older female shopkeeper and grad school. So at least I'm shoving that in a crack for someone else to find. Beautiful article.
What an excellent read! Thank you, Kelsey. I'm fortunate to live in France and write in Paris when I'm there for work, but to do so in such a group of women would be incredible. New goal established right there!
God this is so good. I am approaching 35, have always embraced my age, and identified slightly older than I am. I too spent my twenties traveling (dancing professionally on tour actually so I think our Venn diagram overlaps in many ways). I’d die to write in Paris with like-minded women in their 40’s! Wow. I’m so looking forward to reading more of your stuff Kelsey. I’m inspired. 😌
thank you for this. SO much of what you shared resonated deeply: for example, what you said about the woman you’ve become in paris, how you show up in nyc vs. california and beyond. this post was such a gift. as a fellow 30 something, i’m very much looking forward to reading more of your work 🫶
Love this. It's so important to remind yourself not to feel guilt, as a woman, while sitting still, observing, pondering. Solo travel always permits me to do this and I've often given myself a different version of my own name in different cities :) Those personas then develop and stick with me.
I really wanted to attend this workshop too (age qualifier no problem) so thanks for your reporting and I look forward to many more conversations as a new subscriber. Xx
Last summer, while in the midst of a failing relationship and nervous breakdown, I read Glynnis' memoir "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" and I thought to myself, "I need to go back to Paris...I need to live there. I miss the woman I am in that city." Me, back then, didn't believe it was possible.
Sitting here today, in my apartment in Paris, spending my days writing, doing nothing, riding bikes in flowy skirts... I saw so much of myself in your words. Thank you for sharing 🩵
Oh wow! Okay, now you are my inspiration. There’s a future me that is waking up in Paris and I’m just reaching for her.
Hi, another woman in her 30s here, 36 years old to be exact, aiming to build a life between Berlin and Paris ... and hopefully just be able to stay in Paris until I'm grey. This piece was really meant for me! "Your problems won’t disappear in a new place, but you can find and access different parts of yourself in new places, and those parts, and the version of you you become, will approach those problems in new ways." THIS!! This is the answer I was looking for when ppl say "You can't run away from yourself". Paris has unlocked so many versions of myself like no other city - it's my choosen home.
Love it! I think Paris is calling me too.
I really loved reading this, especially how you framed the way we have different relationships with cities. As someone who has moved around a lot growing up, I’ve always found I’m slightly different in every city (and in different languages too!)
How beautiful and thrilling to unlock new parts of yourself in other languages!
Honestly the best moment of my day reading this. Two weeks out of a five year relationship that was mostly free therapy and apologizing for not responding to messages quick enough. He broke up with me for loving writing more than him. I'm 52 and should recognize this shit by now. Will say though that I'm waiting for agent responses on a novel about a woman who leaves her fundamentalist marriage for a friendship with an older female shopkeeper and grad school. So at least I'm shoving that in a crack for someone else to find. Beautiful article.
What an excellent read! Thank you, Kelsey. I'm fortunate to live in France and write in Paris when I'm there for work, but to do so in such a group of women would be incredible. New goal established right there!
I feel very seen and heard after reading this. Absolutely stunning….and thank you. The woman who arrived back in NYC was not the same one as before…
God this is so good. I am approaching 35, have always embraced my age, and identified slightly older than I am. I too spent my twenties traveling (dancing professionally on tour actually so I think our Venn diagram overlaps in many ways). I’d die to write in Paris with like-minded women in their 40’s! Wow. I’m so looking forward to reading more of your stuff Kelsey. I’m inspired. 😌
Thank you for being here, Chelsea! Former dancers unite :)
This is so wonderful, thank you! I love the part about women’s stories ending in ways that make sense for patriarchy. It gives me a lot to consider.
I'd love to know what other narrative arcs women come up with that don't end in a woman harmonizing with capitalism or patriarchy. Let's hear em.
thought i’d share… i just hit 15,000 words on my WIP!!!
Yessss
Wonderful post, I absolutely loved the reflection on having relationships with cities. I’ve always called Sevilla my “soulmate city”.
I definitely have relationships with cities!!!
thank you for this. SO much of what you shared resonated deeply: for example, what you said about the woman you’ve become in paris, how you show up in nyc vs. california and beyond. this post was such a gift. as a fellow 30 something, i’m very much looking forward to reading more of your work 🫶
🌺❤️🌺 Enjoyed the article very much!
Love this. It's so important to remind yourself not to feel guilt, as a woman, while sitting still, observing, pondering. Solo travel always permits me to do this and I've often given myself a different version of my own name in different cities :) Those personas then develop and stick with me.
I LOVE the idea of a different name. Such a powerful creative exercise.
I really wanted to attend this workshop too (age qualifier no problem) so thanks for your reporting and I look forward to many more conversations as a new subscriber. Xx