11 Comments
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Sara Robinson's avatar

This piece is what I needed to read today. Thank you for being so honest and raw. It felt like reading my own story. And I need to do what you’ve done. Thank you. Sincerely.

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Beverley Ward's avatar

Ah. Good to know that it connects with you. Clearly we have things in common. It's tough being a neurodivergent mum. All the best.

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Bronwen Leigh's avatar

Not only are you doing the right thing for you - and breaking the patriarchal view that women should put everyone else before themselves - but you have a bookcase with a ladder! That’s goals that is :)

So glad you are getting time to be creative again. It’s a problem when you turn a thing you love (writing) into a business because the business will always take over. Can’t wait to see what is next for you 💚

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Beverley Ward's avatar

Thanks. Yes. I'm only just starting to see how this over-working tendency is patriarchal and capitalist and how turning away from it is, in some ways, an act of resistance - though I'm aware that I speak from a position of privilege.

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Bronwen Leigh's avatar

Of course - resistance may be in part a privilege- but all of us can surely find small ways to resist and redesign what it is to be a woman.

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Anna Mills's avatar

I'm so glad you chose you, Beverley. You really have changed my life for the better and I am beyond grateful but this is also a gift - saying enough is enough, choosing wisely. Big hugs xx

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Beverley Ward's avatar

Thanks Anna. I do miss the people that I saw weekly like yourself but am very much enjoying having space x

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Linda Cairns's avatar

This was such a lovely read. I’m so glad you took this step for you Beverley, and I wish you fulfilment, freedom, family time and as much phone-free fresh air as you like.

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Beverley Ward's avatar

Thank you Linda

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Harriet Mason's avatar

This is so powerful, so honest and I loved this 'Now I’m a guru paving the way for other women to put down their mantles of responsibility and free themselves from this endless need to wear ourselves down to the bone. Soon, I will be running some kind of wellbeing business and I’ll be making reels about self-care and I’ll have a podcast and a book about slowing down…'

I hope you're able to resist the pull to be a self-care guru and carry on leaning into this period of rest. It sounds like you more than need and deserve it.

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Beverley Ward's avatar

Yes. Indeed! It's so hard not to turn everything into a business these days. Even writing on Substack feels like a step back into that culture. But I do like to reflect and share.

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