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I made it! And so did you. I’ve been joining the Slice of Life challenge for 8 years now and always breathe a sigh of relief on March 31st. Some years, and this one included, I will keep going through the month of April with daily poetry writing.
Some of my fellow slicers have written reflective posts about their learning. Terje has been writing for nine years, so she did nine things she learned. Elisabeth inspired Terje’s post with Four Things I’ve Learned in Four Years of Slicing. And Lisa, who I think started this whole idea, wrote Six Things I’ve Learned in Six Years of Slicing.
Here are my Eight Things I’ve Learned in Eight Years of Slicing:
- I am not alone. Writing in a community of writers makes my work and my words worthwhile and valued while. at the same time, I feel a sense of obligation to be the best writer I can be. The feedback encourages and uplifts me. I also make friends along the way. People I may meet some day or not, but even so, we are friends.
- Writing makes writing easier. Opening the blank page on my blog used to fill me with fear. I’ve learned that there is always a back button, a move to trash option. The more I write, the more I find to write about. The world is my open for my noticing. There is big magic waiting to be written.
- Readers appreciate honesty. Some of my most successful posts (if I take the time to look at the stats) are ones in which I put my heart on the page. There is camaraderie in sharing the vulnerable moments of your life. I’ve learned that readers want to connect in some way. The best way to connect to someone else is to be honest.
- There is room for lots of voices. I don’t even know how many people are doing the SOLC this year, but I know it’s a lot. And there is no way I can read and comment on all the posts, but that’s OK. There is room enough for all of our voices.
- My go-to writing is poetry, and I’m OK with that. I can always count on a poem coming to visit me, so I’ve stopped making excuses for it. I am a poet; There, I said it.
- I have time to write. I stole this one from Elisabeth, but it rings true for me, too. People always ask me, “How do you find time to write?” I don’t stay up late. I do get up early, but most of the time, I carve out the time and it works. I am currently writing at Whole Foods outside in the breeze with a vanilla latte’. This makes me happy!
- A teacher of writing must be a writer. I’ve heard this over and over. Now I live it. I am a better teacher because I do this every day. I know how it feels to be vulnerable with my writing. I know how good comments feel. I am a writer, and it makes a difference.
- Slice of Life is not just for a month. The people I’ve met here become lifelong friends and even writing partners. If you sliced this year, don’t go away. Stay and write at least once a week on Tuesdays. You will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading my daily posts. And now…Playing with Poetry Time!
Reflections on the Teche 
A post filled with wisdom! Thanks for sharing.
I reflected too, but since this is only my fifth year I could not leave it at five things I learned. I am grateful for this community for sure! Thanks for being here!
You are a poet, and I have enjoyed your poems through the years I have been part of SOLSC in March and on Tuesdays. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you through slices about your family, teaching, and the Teche.
Thanks, Diane. These small connections mean a lot.
This is only year 2 for me, but I already see the truth in some of your statements in my life. I am so glad to have veterans of the challenge like you to check in with each day- even if I don’t comment, I always read 🙂 Your poetry is magnificent and I am so glad I got to learn from you this year and last! Congrats on another year checked off!
Margaret, thank you for this post. I am feeling a little nostalgic today thinking about the end of SOLC 2019. I couldn’t agree more with your insights especially that there is a comrade to being honest and vulnerable on the page. This month was a crazy one for me in my personal life and I almost didn’t participate. But like you said, I had time to write and it softened all aspects of my life. See you on Tuesdays (and on Voxer). -Krista
Thanks Krista. I’m so glad we’ve connected. I hope you will keep slicing. I feel it’s a necessary part of my week.
Thanks for #5, Margaret. Expressing and sharing in some poetic form is just where I am happiest and the most comfortable. It’s who I am, and it’s usually free verse. That’s what works for me, too. I think I may be joining you all with Playing with Poetry. I don’t have another focus yet. Sounds like fun! — Christie
Do you have all the toys? I could send you the prompts I get each day if you’d like.
I’m only at year 2, but so much of what you’ve written rings true for me. I also love that you have identified yourself as a poet. I love your poetry and am constantly amazed at how often poetry comes to you. Thank you for being so generous with your writing. I can’t wait to read your poems next month, even if I’m not quite ready to commit to a poem a day.
I love this list of what you learned. I have to agree that we make friends along the way. Whether we meet someday or not, they are still friends. And my biggest takeaway – “The more I write, the more I find to write about.” So true. Every March I’m left with ideas that did not get written and that’s okay because there are 48 Tuesdays until next March.
Your words are always inspiring, Margaret. I love your poetry and your creativity. Never do I come here without leaving uplifted, and thoughtful, turning a phrase round in my head, tasting an idea on different sides. Your list is powerful and this is my favorite line: “I know how it feels to be vulnerable with my writing.” Writing is a piece of one’s soul exposed on the page – it was so hard for me to let mine be seen by others at first. Sometimes still is. But here, with “lifelong friends and and writing partners,” we begin to see our souls reflected in one another. Thank you for your grace and incredible insights. See you again soon!
Your comments uplift me. I admire your writing so much. It’s nice to know we have a mutual admiration for each other. I hope we meet face to face some day.
I hope to meet in person as well, Margaret. Delightful to think about!
So much of what you said is like what I just posted in my own reflection. This is an amazing community…we are so lucky to write and read here! I look forward to your poems in April!
I love your 8 take-aways! Each of them is perfect. One of the things I learned is that I’ve missed you and was so happy to reconnect! Thank you for your encouragement this month. And you ARE a poet. Your poetry is beautiful.