18. Going where we want to go

When speaking is hard, we can write. When writing doesn’t appeal to us, we can read. When reading seems difficult, we can listen. And when listening gives us ideas, we can speak them aloud or write them down.

So it is that we SWiRL around, in the waters of our English. (I made up the acronym SWRL to remember all four ways we use English. The word swirl means to twist in a spiraling motion, as water goes down a drain.)

The first two letters stand for Speaking and Writing, which are ways to create or make output in English. R and L stand for Reading and Listening – the ways we consume or receive input.

Starting with what feels EASIEST or most appealing – helps us ease into showing up a little bit, every day or most days – to spend time with this language we love.

I dream of these emails being part of a system that helps you remember to spend time with English.

Remembering is often the hardest part.

But often, all it takes is reading a blog, listening to a song, or reading a few sentences in English – to give us the urge to do something more.

By trying to SWRL a little every day – we keep these four tools close and free of rust. There’s no need to dust or polish a tool that’s used nearly every day!

I suggest starting where it feels easiest, and let one path lead to another.

It will happen naturally, if you just keep showing up.

I encourage you to trust the process. If you do it today, you’re more likely to do it tomorrow!

Until then!