I wrote this thinking of last year, too. This time last year I was so stressed about my son’s school, if he would have one, how he would get there. My son was also very anxious about this.
After a turbulent six months, battling with the council, him adjusting, things finally settled in that department. Of course life is far from perfect - and there are many departments. But I’m hugely thankful to have a little less drama at the moment.
Your article really made me think Julie. In the past I would have never accepted ‘alright’ as being any good. Life to me has veered from being really good to then being crap, nothing in between. Suddenly ‘alright’ seems rather appealing, I can understand it. We have survived so much over the last 4 years with the fake pandemic and the tyranny that just being ‘alright’, for now at least, seems a good place to be.
Yes I struggle with it sometimes myself. Social media parading all we should be and have. But the ‘alright’s become more and more welcome, the more shit you get served, hey? And it brings to us that wisdom and platform of perspective.
If shit show brought us anything, it gave us a sharp reminder of how easily all we took for granted can be taken away in an instant.
I remember a friend whose brother had just become tetraplegic in a motorbike accident. Whilst my friend was trying to deal with this, someone else was giving him grief about something that, in the grand scheme of things, was unimportant. My friend commented at that time, "some people don't have enough shit in their lives" which I thought was a very pithy observation. It gives you perspective when 'shit' happens and makes you much more thankful for 'alright'.
Yes, until something massive hits us we can forget just how big big can be. The booms that take our life by storm. They really do put into perspective the trivialities. If you’ve not had one for a while, you can grow complacent and even entitled.
We all have our problems but some tragedies cut right through all else.
Being older gives us greater perspective from which to appreciate the ‘no drama’ moments.
When I first moved to Yorkshire at a tender age, it confused when people said “alright?” as a greeting instead of hi - like I was obliged to confirm whether or not things were alright. It took me a while before I could repeat it back to them. It’s funny that we have so many slang words for this Goldilocks porridge state of being - okay; good; sound; safe; sweet; kosher. Have you ever heard anyone say tickety-boo in real life? I like the word copacetic but I’ve never seen it outside of a Mark Timlin novel or a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon but I don’t know anyone who uses it.
That’s funny the way you found it weird to say ‘Alright’ as a greeting. Overthinking, hey?
Where I grew up the standard greeting was ‘Iya’ - ‘Hiya’ with the ‘h’ dropped. Saying ‘Hi’ always sounded like you were trying to sound American or in a sitcom😂😂 I must have tamed myself to say it over the years.
Alright is good. The ups and downs and leveling off at alright is fine by me. We are all on one helluva ride and peace is often just what we need. Thanks for sharing Julie! I love the tone of your writing! Sabrinalabow.substack.com
Man, do I love "alright." Julie, you nailed it again. I love your writing. I have a friend the same. Although they were still married. She's my bestie and he died suddenly in her arms from a heart attack, a few weeks before the pandemic no less. It's been overwhelming for her adult special needs son. Hard things have followed, as it seems to come in waves like what you described. She takes things as they come and accepts that "alright" is enough. She makes me a better more grateful human being. ox
I think sometimes we coast along misinterpreting ‘alright’ as bland, boring….we want more thrill in our lives, but ‘alright’ can have a very stabilising energy. It’s grounding. And grounding is good.
I love the way you said that. It’s the process of being. Which, in turn, is satisfying and can potentially give space for listening to what’s next? Maybe something creative. My bestie struggles but she’s slowly finding her way by just being.
I’ll settle for alright on a rug though it’s now wearing a coat of white cat hairs (the elder Mau’s). Big isn’t big anymore and small no longer that small. A nice balance. I like it, alright.
I wrote this thinking of last year, too. This time last year I was so stressed about my son’s school, if he would have one, how he would get there. My son was also very anxious about this.
After a turbulent six months, battling with the council, him adjusting, things finally settled in that department. Of course life is far from perfect - and there are many departments. But I’m hugely thankful to have a little less drama at the moment.
Your article really made me think Julie. In the past I would have never accepted ‘alright’ as being any good. Life to me has veered from being really good to then being crap, nothing in between. Suddenly ‘alright’ seems rather appealing, I can understand it. We have survived so much over the last 4 years with the fake pandemic and the tyranny that just being ‘alright’, for now at least, seems a good place to be.
Yes I struggle with it sometimes myself. Social media parading all we should be and have. But the ‘alright’s become more and more welcome, the more shit you get served, hey? And it brings to us that wisdom and platform of perspective.
If shit show brought us anything, it gave us a sharp reminder of how easily all we took for granted can be taken away in an instant.
I remember a friend whose brother had just become tetraplegic in a motorbike accident. Whilst my friend was trying to deal with this, someone else was giving him grief about something that, in the grand scheme of things, was unimportant. My friend commented at that time, "some people don't have enough shit in their lives" which I thought was a very pithy observation. It gives you perspective when 'shit' happens and makes you much more thankful for 'alright'.
Yes, until something massive hits us we can forget just how big big can be. The booms that take our life by storm. They really do put into perspective the trivialities. If you’ve not had one for a while, you can grow complacent and even entitled.
We all have our problems but some tragedies cut right through all else.
Being older gives us greater perspective from which to appreciate the ‘no drama’ moments.
So true....
Great story of surviving keep breathing.lve had enough dràma lam done with it.The film has stopped.Thanks Julie l hope your friend is okay.🦋🌹.
She’s the best I’ve seen her in ages. Life is ticking over nicely :)
Good,Julie have a good day.🐦🐦🐦.
When I first moved to Yorkshire at a tender age, it confused when people said “alright?” as a greeting instead of hi - like I was obliged to confirm whether or not things were alright. It took me a while before I could repeat it back to them. It’s funny that we have so many slang words for this Goldilocks porridge state of being - okay; good; sound; safe; sweet; kosher. Have you ever heard anyone say tickety-boo in real life? I like the word copacetic but I’ve never seen it outside of a Mark Timlin novel or a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon but I don’t know anyone who uses it.
That’s funny the way you found it weird to say ‘Alright’ as a greeting. Overthinking, hey?
Where I grew up the standard greeting was ‘Iya’ - ‘Hiya’ with the ‘h’ dropped. Saying ‘Hi’ always sounded like you were trying to sound American or in a sitcom😂😂 I must have tamed myself to say it over the years.
Yeah, l can hear her voice and taste the wine. Sweet, just put a smile on my dial. Off to shake out my rug, it’s alright 👍 …. 😊
Good….. I mean ‘Alright’😂😂
Ok, Alright, …. Right 🤣🤣🤣🙌
As I get older, I'm learning to appreciate 'alright' more. Thanks for this post Julie.
Same here. It’s a welcome breather.
Loved this so much!
Good, I appreciate your leaving a comment. And if you don’t have a great day today….I hope it’s ‘alright’ at least 😉😘
Yep, this one calmed my soul. Suddenly very grateful (and aware of) being alright. Beautiful!
Those moments when we realise that and appreciate the lack of drama are very precious :)
https://youtu.be/jvAByzXT1U8?si=SbaxHMMKPNKYH_ET
Alright is good. The ups and downs and leveling off at alright is fine by me. We are all on one helluva ride and peace is often just what we need. Thanks for sharing Julie! I love the tone of your writing! Sabrinalabow.substack.com
It’s in our chasing happiness that we suffer…
Indeed
Loved that Julie ..alright
Thank you :)
Man, do I love "alright." Julie, you nailed it again. I love your writing. I have a friend the same. Although they were still married. She's my bestie and he died suddenly in her arms from a heart attack, a few weeks before the pandemic no less. It's been overwhelming for her adult special needs son. Hard things have followed, as it seems to come in waves like what you described. She takes things as they come and accepts that "alright" is enough. She makes me a better more grateful human being. ox
Bless❤️I can imagine. How tragic.
I think sometimes we coast along misinterpreting ‘alright’ as bland, boring….we want more thrill in our lives, but ‘alright’ can have a very stabilising energy. It’s grounding. And grounding is good.
I love the way you said that. It’s the process of being. Which, in turn, is satisfying and can potentially give space for listening to what’s next? Maybe something creative. My bestie struggles but she’s slowly finding her way by just being.
Two of the greatest piece of music are about "alright".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-nf5GW4tTY&ab_channel=Kira.H
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULDGSBANyg8&ab_channel=MonicaHuggett-Topic
Thanks Excellent choices. Or should I say ‘they’re alright’ 😉
I’ll settle for alright on a rug though it’s now wearing a coat of white cat hairs (the elder Mau’s). Big isn’t big anymore and small no longer that small. A nice balance. I like it, alright.
❤️ Absolutely. Small joys, Joyce xx