"I spent so many years longing for my special partner, “the one,” thinking “when I find her, then all will be well.” I finally found her, and I was right, all IS well, because she IS me."
This bit made me gasp. I love that Nan packs so much self acceptance into two sentences. Her writing is a gift for those who admire and respect people who are candid about coming to peace with themselves.
This same part stood out (shouted, actually) to me. The crux of everything I've taken in from you, Nan, is that you are sure of who you are and aren't. And if that certainty shifts, your curiosity will bring you back to it without shame. So empowering!
"I do just fine...batteries not included!" What a hoot you are, Nan. We both have experienced much oif the dark side of life, but I think one of the most important gifts of my recovery is finding my sense of humor. It is so essential, I think, to living one's best life, not taking myself too seriously, just learning to laugh more and see the comedy in things. It's all about balance, something I mentioned before. I love it that you have a great sense of humor. It softens the hard edges, doesn't it?
Humor is a lifesaver. I love to laugh, and I love to laugh at myself especially. And in a very life-affirming, Nan-loving way. Balance is essential and humor is a must, for sure. xo
What an incredible interview, Nan!! I enjoyed every minute of getting to know you better. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness, candor, and sense of humor. All that came through and more. Well done!!
Wowsa! Love this so much! I’m so excited for Nan’s essay forthcoming at my Rumpus column - look for it to drop next week! She is brilliant.
“Is there a relationship between “loving yourself” and allowing yourself to become ambitious about your creativity and goals?”
100% It took me a lifetime to tap into and give myself permission to pursue my passion and purpose (writing!)
Even now, it’s hard for me to say "self-love." I think of it as self-acceptance—the choice to honor who I am, to make space for my creativity, and to believe my ambitions are worth pursuing. It took me years to unlearn the conditioning that says ambition is selfish, that my creative pursuits are secondary, or that I need external validation to follow what lights me up.
And it took some rage too - for me, it became my portal to EROS.
I love you, Kelly Thompson. You and I are cut from very similar cloth even though our stories are similar. I'm so completely excited for Tuesday. CAN'T WAIT, but I will!
Great to see you featured by Debbie Weil, and what a blockbuster interview. Nan, you are awesome. I love you so much. Your bravery has helped me think about “those” things I was so hesitant to write about. Now I’m doing it, many times prompted by you, and thinking out loud in the comments to your posts. Thank you so, so much for everything! Debbie: great interview with the fabulous Nan. xoxo
Loved reading this, and LOVE that my dear friend Nan has made such a huge leap forward in finding her voice and her power and most importantly, herself!
Wonderful interview; I am a huge fan of Nan, and you ask such great questions Debbie! As for the relationship between loving oneself and truly honoring one’s creativity, they go hand in hand, as Nan has so wonderfully discovered. And I agree, at almost 65, my 60s are the best decade yet! Who woulda thunk it?
Great to see Nan featured here, Debbie. One of my favourite Substack writers! Warm, generous, honest and insightful, as she shows us here in her answers.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEcd!,e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95ad4442-e435-4ebc-a8d2-9c9b89a8bdb6_2100x400.png)
"I spent so many years longing for my special partner, “the one,” thinking “when I find her, then all will be well.” I finally found her, and I was right, all IS well, because she IS me."
This bit made me gasp. I love that Nan packs so much self acceptance into two sentences. Her writing is a gift for those who admire and respect people who are candid about coming to peace with themselves.
This same part stood out (shouted, actually) to me. The crux of everything I've taken in from you, Nan, is that you are sure of who you are and aren't. And if that certainty shifts, your curiosity will bring you back to it without shame. So empowering!
Thank you, Eileen. What a beautiful thing to say. I really do believe it, too.
"I do just fine...batteries not included!" What a hoot you are, Nan. We both have experienced much oif the dark side of life, but I think one of the most important gifts of my recovery is finding my sense of humor. It is so essential, I think, to living one's best life, not taking myself too seriously, just learning to laugh more and see the comedy in things. It's all about balance, something I mentioned before. I love it that you have a great sense of humor. It softens the hard edges, doesn't it?
Humor is a lifesaver. I love to laugh, and I love to laugh at myself especially. And in a very life-affirming, Nan-loving way. Balance is essential and humor is a must, for sure. xo
Thank you, what an inspiring and affirming interview. 😊
Thanks, Simone! xo
What an incredible interview, Nan!! I enjoyed every minute of getting to know you better. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness, candor, and sense of humor. All that came through and more. Well done!!
Thanks, Cathy! xo
What a great feature and interview with Nan! Thank you, Bold Women, for who you are and what you offer the world.
Thanks, Paulette. This was such a wonderful opportunity for me. I love Debbie Weil. xo
Wowsa! Love this so much! I’m so excited for Nan’s essay forthcoming at my Rumpus column - look for it to drop next week! She is brilliant.
“Is there a relationship between “loving yourself” and allowing yourself to become ambitious about your creativity and goals?”
100% It took me a lifetime to tap into and give myself permission to pursue my passion and purpose (writing!)
Even now, it’s hard for me to say "self-love." I think of it as self-acceptance—the choice to honor who I am, to make space for my creativity, and to believe my ambitions are worth pursuing. It took me years to unlearn the conditioning that says ambition is selfish, that my creative pursuits are secondary, or that I need external validation to follow what lights me up.
And it took some rage too - for me, it became my portal to EROS.
I love you, Kelly Thompson. You and I are cut from very similar cloth even though our stories are similar. I'm so completely excited for Tuesday. CAN'T WAIT, but I will!
Loved this interview and learning more about Nan!
Thanks, Kiki! xo
Great to see you featured by Debbie Weil, and what a blockbuster interview. Nan, you are awesome. I love you so much. Your bravery has helped me think about “those” things I was so hesitant to write about. Now I’m doing it, many times prompted by you, and thinking out loud in the comments to your posts. Thank you so, so much for everything! Debbie: great interview with the fabulous Nan. xoxo
Mary, I love how one person's bravery can make us all feel braver!
It’s true. ❤️
Thank you, Mary! I love you, too. And I miss you! xo
Great interview!
Thanks, Jodi! xo
Loved reading this, and LOVE that my dear friend Nan has made such a huge leap forward in finding her voice and her power and most importantly, herself!
Thank you, lovely Mor. You've see me move through many changes. xo
The power of just being who I am. I love that so much and it feels like our true life's work!
Isabel, funny how much strength it takes to find who we are!
It's such a relief to finally take a breath and see myself through clearer and more loving eyes. xo
Good morning, Nan and Debbie! It’s a gift to start my day with you two. This interview sparkles with humor and insight. Thanks for the burst of hope.
Rona, your feedback makes “our” day!
Thanks, Rona, love you a ton! xo
Thanks, Debbie, for sharing Nan with us. I'm now a subscriber and can't wait to read your work, Nan.
Wonderful interview; I am a huge fan of Nan, and you ask such great questions Debbie! As for the relationship between loving oneself and truly honoring one’s creativity, they go hand in hand, as Nan has so wonderfully discovered. And I agree, at almost 65, my 60s are the best decade yet! Who woulda thunk it?
Amy, and ditto for my 70s! P.S. I love your profile photo.
I just had the time to really read this. Love it. Love you.
Great to see Nan featured here, Debbie. One of my favourite Substack writers! Warm, generous, honest and insightful, as she shows us here in her answers.
Wendy, I agree. Worth studying Nan’s writing to see how she does it.
Thank you, Wendy! And you are one of mine! xo