On Being Ill
During one of several somewhat violent coughing fits last night while I was supposed to be sleeping, I was like “life is just not worth living if this is how it’s going to be” for about three seconds. Then the coughing eventually subsided, and I went back to sleep. And now I want to keep living. Part of me is ashamed that I had that thought but another part of me believes the thought is completely reasonable given the circumstances.
Related: I’m supposed to submit 5000 words of sample chapters for a book proposal in progress to the leaders of an upcoming workshop by midnight tonight, and I’m so not ready to do that.
I was supposed to work on revisions this past week, incorporating feedback from a trusted friend and editor, but this illness has kicked my ass. I’ve been in bed pretty much since Monday with an attention span that is good-to-great for about 15 minutes at a time. I’ve asked for a one-day extension, but I completely understand if they can’t accommodate my request. I’m about to load up on caffeine and Dayquil Extreme and do what I can, as I can.
And, since I’ve been hanging out with Virginia Woolf lately, I present the amazing first sentence of her “On Being Ill” which I adore for so many reasons, but I won’t go into all of that right now because I have mucous to manage and pages to revise.
UPDATE: The workshop leaders said I can take a few extra days, if needed. Praise. I’m going to work on everything for a few hours today and see how far I get, but this extension takes the pressure off. What a relief.
💚Charlotte
Considering how common illness is, how tremendous the spiritual change that it brings, how astonishing, when the lights of health go down, the undiscovered countries that are then disclosed, what wastes and deserts of the soul a slight attack of influenza brings to view, what precipices and lawns sprinkled with bright flowers a little rise of temperature reveals, what ancient and obdurate oaks are uprooted in us by the act of sickness, how we go down into the pit of death and feel the waters of annihilation close above our heads and wake thinking to find ourselves in the presence of the angels and the harpers when we have a tooth out and come to the surface in the dentist’s arm-chair and confuse his “Rinse the mouth—rinse the mouth” with the greeting of the Deity stooping from the floor of Heaven to welcome us—when we think of this, as we are so frequently forced to think of it, it becomes strange indeed that illness has not taken its place with love and battle and jealousy among the prime themes of literature. — Virginina Woolf, On Being Ill
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, and gatherer whose work centers on helping people explore themes of belonging through art, spiritual growth, and how to Flourish Anyway™, even when life is full, busy, or chaotic. Her work has woven together themes of belonging, art, and soul exploration for more than 25 years. With a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing (2015-2018) and a certificate in spiritual direction (2018-2020), Charlotte guides writers and other creative souls in fostering sanctuaries of acceptance and connection—her approach warmly welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of faith tradition or spiritual inclinations.
A Christian in the Episcopal church who believes the tenets of the Nicene Creed, Charlotte employs a universal framework of belonging and connection in her spiritual direction work that’s welcoming to all and fosters meaningful, soulful conversations.
In 2020, Broadleaf Books published Charlotte's first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her book, Spiritual Direction for Writers, is slated for release by Eerdmans in September 2026.
As the founder of several initiatives, including Flourish Anyway™, Thoughtful Books Etc.™, Belonging through Art™, Spiritual Direction for Writers®, Spiritual Direction for Belonging®, and Parenting with Art®, Charlotte has established herself as a thought leader and an authentic presence at the intersection of creativity and spirituality. Her essays have been featured in prominent publications such as The Washington Post, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, and The Millions, among others. A new essay about art conservation, Joan Mitchell, and mystery is forthcoming with Image.
For those interested in staying updated on Charlotte's latest work, news, and insights, subscribe here and visit Flourish Anyway™, Charlotte’s online hub for all of her writing, spiritual direction, small press, gatherings, and other offerings.