Last year, I started rewatching Fellowship, and about 30 minutes in, I stopped and couldn’t pick it up again, even though I also grew up in a LOTR family, so I have watched it many times now. I was, for some reason, feeling a little uncomfortable and bored, and when I looked back at that experience, I felt really ashamed and confused because I truly love those movies and I was excited to watch since I hadn’t watched any of them in years, and I knew that this was most likely a result of my dopamine-obsessed brain not allowing me to watch something without subway surfers playing right next to it. That experience and a lot of the events politically, socially, and personally that have occurred in the last year have made me start reflecting on who I am and what is just a defense or reaction to how exhausting life as it exists now, and that has made me realize how small I have made myself to protect myself from being “too much” or “cringe/embarrassing”, and I think seeing the characters and the world of LOTR be so much of the opposite, it is big, loud, unapologetically sincere and emotional, made that shell of myself so uncomfortable because I felt like I could never have that again. But I can, and I will keep trying until I feel like myself. So with that being said, thank you for writing this, and keep being you!
Thank you for this “freebie”. I am hooked. I enjoy your perspective and honor your word-smithing. I love the LOTR movies. That’s saying something, as the movies are *never* as good as the books! I read the trilogy on lazy Sundays in my early 20’s before I owned a TV. That was over 40 years ago, and while life was not exactly simpler then, the challenges did seem more manageable. I wish that my now adult kids had that same sense of leisure. I raised them on the LOTR books on tape and CDs on our endless car rides. The words live in our psyches, and the movies, many times rewatched, live in our shared view of the world. But I never singled out the sincerity that you so brilliantly identified. Thank you for that insight! I really must reread the books. (As soon as I am able, I will become a paying subscriber, so that I can read your piece on reclaiming the ability to read long works again.) All the best to you!
Absolutely fabulous! I think of the tenderness and intention of aragorns forehead kiss daily.
Last year, I started rewatching Fellowship, and about 30 minutes in, I stopped and couldn’t pick it up again, even though I also grew up in a LOTR family, so I have watched it many times now. I was, for some reason, feeling a little uncomfortable and bored, and when I looked back at that experience, I felt really ashamed and confused because I truly love those movies and I was excited to watch since I hadn’t watched any of them in years, and I knew that this was most likely a result of my dopamine-obsessed brain not allowing me to watch something without subway surfers playing right next to it. That experience and a lot of the events politically, socially, and personally that have occurred in the last year have made me start reflecting on who I am and what is just a defense or reaction to how exhausting life as it exists now, and that has made me realize how small I have made myself to protect myself from being “too much” or “cringe/embarrassing”, and I think seeing the characters and the world of LOTR be so much of the opposite, it is big, loud, unapologetically sincere and emotional, made that shell of myself so uncomfortable because I felt like I could never have that again. But I can, and I will keep trying until I feel like myself. So with that being said, thank you for writing this, and keep being you!
I resonate with this so much! I hope the path back to yourself is gentle ❤️
I've always been obsessed with LOTR, and with Faramir in particular. And I think you really hit on something with this. Thanks <3
This was a beautiful read. Thank you for writing, and being sincere in your work.
Thank you so much ❤️
You're an incredible writer, sincerely.
that's very kind, thank you!
you get me.
<3
Loved this - for its sincerity!
Thank you for this “freebie”. I am hooked. I enjoy your perspective and honor your word-smithing. I love the LOTR movies. That’s saying something, as the movies are *never* as good as the books! I read the trilogy on lazy Sundays in my early 20’s before I owned a TV. That was over 40 years ago, and while life was not exactly simpler then, the challenges did seem more manageable. I wish that my now adult kids had that same sense of leisure. I raised them on the LOTR books on tape and CDs on our endless car rides. The words live in our psyches, and the movies, many times rewatched, live in our shared view of the world. But I never singled out the sincerity that you so brilliantly identified. Thank you for that insight! I really must reread the books. (As soon as I am able, I will become a paying subscriber, so that I can read your piece on reclaiming the ability to read long works again.) All the best to you!