March 2026 SOLC–Day 31
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
And so the last day arrives…
I’ve been pondering what I wanted to write on this last day for several days now, knowing that this post would come mid-Parent Teacher conference chaos. I wanted to get ahead, which has been quite an elusive goal of late! I thought and thought. What do I really want to say?
First and foremost, I’m forever grateful for this community of writers and for the ongoing commitment to writing, sharing, and supporting each other. Connecting and reconnecting with each other is such a gift! More than ever, though, my reading and commenting goals this month fell far short of the bar. I wish I could have been more present.
This year, for whatever reason, I have felt slightly removed from the challenge. There are things I intended to write about (that I probably need to write about) that have remained as small seeds tucked in my notebook and unexplored. I haven’t had the bandwidth or energy to really invest in my writing, and often have opted for the easier post. Writing each slice often felt more like checking things off a to-do list than like actively diving into a moment and mining it for meaning. Of course, I had fun writing some slices and seeing how they developed, but that was the exception rather than the rule. My writing felt a bit…well, rote.
Honestly, I’ve had to struggle not to write negative post after negative post. I mean who wants to read that!? My energy and outlook are not where I’d like them to be. I’ve been floundering a bit, trying to keep my head above the water. I keep trying to “go positive”, pull myself up by the bootstraps, etc. Instead, I fear that often I’ve just gone superficial.
I wrote the above portion of this slice yesterday morning. As I slept (and occasionally woke) last night, a few more thoughts drifted their way to the surface. One of them was quite persistent.
Overall, the challenge this time around has been a bit weird for me. I feel like I’ve taken more than I’ve given to this community. So often, I’ve found my daily conversations peppered with “I just read a blog about…” and my thoughts lingered on others’ posted insights, perspectives, experiences, etc. I was entertained, enticed, and enriched by what I read and was also supported by so many thoughtful comments on my own slices.
What I woke thinking this morning is that community involves give and take. Sometimes we hold others up. Sometimes they hold us up. Together, we are buoyant.
Thanks to all of you for keeping me afloat this month. In the future, I hope to return the favor.
Nix the comfort zone 
I have felt you holding me up this challenge! Don’t sell yourself short there. Hopefully some of that writing you want/need to do can happen, maybe off the blog, maybe on the blog. Whatever you need. I know your readers will be here to check it out!
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Thanks, Amy! I’ve loved reading about your new adventures. What an exciting job you have!
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I think you don’t give yourself enough credit. I have felt your presence, your friendship, and your support all month. We have been in this together. Some days good. Some days not so good, but together!
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Thanks, Margaret! I definitely appreciated your encouragement.
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You have been a seed collector, and what a lovely thing to do! You have been present, you have read, you have written, and commented – – and you have taken your reading out into your thoughts through the day. I’m so glad you have been here and look forward to all the Tuesdays ahead!
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A seed collector isn’t a bad thing to be, is it? Thanks for pointing that out, Kim!
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I love the raw honesty in your reflection. Sometimes the challenge is like this for me, too. Lean into the ‘real’ next time, even if it’s not always positive. I’ll take authenticity over superficial any day, even if it’s negative. Thank you for supporting me through this challenge. Until next time…
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Thanks and take care. It’s been great connecting again!
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Thanks so much for your kind words!
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“Connecting and reconnecting with each other is such a gift!”
I agree. ❤️
“Honestly, I’ve had to struggle not to write negative post after negative post.”
This is no small challenge these days.
Just participating feels like 100% support.
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Fighting negativity is a daily thing right now. Thanks!
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I truly love the insight here, Molly. I’ve known your writing generosity for a while now, even before we meet in Maine. I think that sometimes it’s okay to take a bit more than what we give, because as you say, we can balance things out. I’m glad the community offered you that, you have returned the favor in the past. Your writing, in whichever form it comes out, always gives me something to think about!
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Thanks so much, Ana! This is such an amazing community!
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Molly, you give so much humor and honesty in your posts, and fun like Wordle poetry. I totally understand what you mean about buoying each other–“Sometimes we hold others up. Sometimes they hold us up.” So true! You are a full time teacher of second graders–I could never keep up with SOL when I was teaching full time. Carry on! Thanks for writing.
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I love this: “community involves give and take. Sometimes we hold others up. Sometimes they hold us up. Together, we are buoyant.” Such powerful words. As I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realize that it’s just as important to let others hold us up as it is for us to hold them up. This year has felt harder to me, too. But I think what matters is that we keep showing up.
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Love that idea of bouyancy–you give a lot more than I think you realize. And I think showing up is important for lots of reasons. (I admire that you actually were writing ahead–that is something I am not good at–and this time zone thing has really been a challenge with 6 hours between me and eastern time! (And I’m an evening writer! Or at least was before I flew across the ocean.). Looking forward to some poetry in April!
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I love your pure honesty about writing challenges this month. There are times I don’t write what I truly want to write for your same reason-who wants to read such negativity? I love your line, “ideas that have remained as small seeds tucked in my notebook and unexplored.” Your writing and nature walks are always an inspiration.
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Those of us who are so productive and “responsible” to a fault, must realize it’s our interdependence, not independence, that is our goal. Do you know the concept of the “emotional back account” by Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? All of us make deposits or withdrawls with the people we meet. Deposits are kindnesses and generosity to others. Withdrawls are the negativity and draining habits of others.
You, my friend have made so many deposits with so many people that we are all willing to support you when you need it and at all times. Love, your Community
From Chat GPT
The idea of the “Emotional Bank Account” comes from Stephen R. Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.What it means
Covey uses the metaphor of a bank account to describe the level of trust and goodwill in a relationship.
Every interaction you have with someone either adds to or subtracts from this “account.”Examples of Deposits (building trust)
These increase the “balance,” making relationships stronger and more resilient.Examples of Withdrawals (damaging trust)
Too many withdrawals → the account goes “overdrawn,” and trust breaks down.Why it matters
Covey’s key point:
You can’t expect influence or cooperation from others if you haven’t invested in the relationship first.Simple takeaway
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