Oh, longing. One of my favorite pastimes. I love wanting chocolate mousse almost as much as eating chocolate mousse. Oh, mousse.
Okay, before I get mired in mousse…
Early in May, I wondered via a Facebook post if I could be nostalgic for something that had never been, something I hadn’t experienced. Others jumped into the conversation, and I got lots of affirmation that yes, that was possible. From my friend, writer, and yoga teacher, AC Lambeth, I even got a name for it: Fauxstaglia. Which sounded just right to me.
That’s me, below, through the leaves and the light, feeling fauxstalgic.
The topic seemed so juicy that I put out an invitation for blog posts/short essays that I’d feature here on Story Water, for a playful and meditative week on that one topic.
And it’s happening, right now!
I’m thrilled to share writing from some smart, talented, and ridiculously good-looking writers, including Gloria Harrison, Arin Black, Kari Luna, and Veronica Martin. We’ve got memory, love, music, and more on the docket.
When I facilitate workshops or retreats, I’m always moved as writers take the same prompt in a gazillion different directions, and this little experiment here is no different. Color me inspired. I hope you are, too.
I’ll post at least one piece per day this week, and I invite you to visit often to join the fauxstalgia reverie, sharing your own thoughts, questions, and insights in the comments section.
Making this week of summer solstice “Fauxstalgia Week” feels appropriate. As the earth warms, summer slathers a layer of ease over all of us, making way for lounging on picnic blankets in patches of sunlight, sipping chilled rosé or iced tea, and remembering, with longing. Which is how I’ve always interpreted nostalgia. And which may be a definition of fauxstalgia, too. We shall see.
We’ve got all week to wonder, ponder, muse and masticate on it.
So kick off your flip-flops, squeeze some lemon juice on your hair, and spread out your Wonder Woman beach towel on the grass in the backyard. Your mom will call you when it’s time for lunch (we’re having sloppy joe’s). In the meantime, enjoy.
xoxo,
Jen
Thank you so much for reading. You might notice that I don’t have a space for comments, but I’m certainly open to conversation about what’s written here. If you’re so inspired, feel free to start a conversation with me via the contact form on the homepage of this site.
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