Finding Joy in Another Round of Revisions
Today I pulled up the most recent version of my essay on Joan Mitchell’s painting Close, art conservation, and mystery that I’ve been working on for Image journal because I thought today was my deadline for my final round of revisions.
A few very good things happened that made my day and outlook better all the way around.
First, I discovered the deadline is actually June 15, so I’m ahead of the game. That rarely happens to me, and I’ll take it!
Second, I had such a delightful time reviewing edits from one of my brilliant writer friends whom I paid to give me feedback and suggestions. I’m proud of this essay, and I love watching it become a better version of itself each time I return to it.
Third, while texting with a few friends from my MFA program about the edits and other writerly things, I was able to feel less alone in the writing life, which is always a good thing because the writing life can feel pretty lonely. Thank God for group chats.
I’m thankful for my writing, my work, and my literary community that help me flourish anyway, even while my house is a disaster, my to-do list is exploding, and my laundry pile is way too high. Even while I deal with yet another Christian spiritual director who is infringing on my Spiritual Direction for Writers® registered trademark because he thinks ChatGPT is a great place to get legal advice, while I wonder if our democracy is dying, and while people in positions of power continue to do terrible things that harm people they disagree with.
Much love to the creative souls. May we flourish anyway today and all days.
💚Charlotte
P.S.
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Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, and gatherer whose work centers on helping people explore themes of belonging, artful encoutners, 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 developing sanctuaries of acceptance and connection.
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. She fosters meaningful, soulful conversations and gatherings that are welcoming to all—regardless of faith tradition or spiritual inclinations.
In 2020, Broadleaf Books published Charlotte's first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other.Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life is slated for release by Here Below Books in September 2026. Three volumes of Charlotte's "Guidebooks for the Soul"—Take More Retreats, The Great Belonging Project, and Belonging Through Art—will also be published in 2026.
As the founder of several initiatives, 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 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 journal.
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Flourish Anyway® is Charlotte’s online hub for all of her writing, spiritual direction, small press, gatherings, and other offerings.