This week, I was accepted on to an MA degree programme on Creative Writing and Wellbeing at Teesside University in the UK.
This is not a subject that I am unfamiliar with, particularly as I have spent the last 6 years in a writing group for wellbeing, initially run expertly and independently in UK Bristol Libraries by the great Rob Henley, a good friend of mine. That was a wonderful experience, and the whole group enjoyed great support from each other.
Most of the writing I have done over the last twenty years has been for my own wellbeing, some of which I have shared, and much of which I have not. I have been continuously motivated to write, but without motivation or inclination to be published. In the last couple of weeks, I have moved more writing on to Medium, and it is my intention to keep writing here, alongside any other writing activities and studies. I was particularly inspired by ‘Medium Day’ on 12 August, seeing and hearing some very passionate people, willing to share their positive experiences of Medium.
I am looking forward to doing the course, partly because, in the event of successful completion, it will allow me to explore the subject more widely and eventually result in running some groups myself, and I would expect my writing in the sphere of wellbeing to be better, too.
It may well be viewed by many as a strange thing to do, given that I am desperate to be fully retired, so that I am no longer employed 2 days per week, but from my perspective, I want that so that I can spend more time on writing. And if I can do a course that results in me encouraging more people to write for their own wellbeing, so much the better.
I am, nonetheless, full of doubts about spending every last penny I have in the middle of a recession with rampant inflation in the UK right now, about whether I can manage it, whether my health will hold-up, and whether it will have the results I want to have.
It may be a little unusual to be 65 years old, and embarking on such a course of action, but not completely unheard of. Given that the course is conducted online, not on campus, there is a greater propensity for a diverse group of students, and great opportunities to learn from what each person brings.
There was a time when the last thing I would have done would have been to share any of these doubts, or even the information that I was embarking on this course of action, lest I fail or face criticism for doing so. Nowadays, I am much more a fan of transparency where possible. And if I don’t make it successfully to the end, it definitely won’t be for the want of trying. Being so public helps me to feel accountable for putting-in my best effort, even if I am not actually accountable to anyone else, other than myself.
The start date is next month. I am running towards the cliff edge with my eyes closed, and getting ready to jump.
Fraser
August 2023