Maybe there’s a little Jo in me too.

I went to go see Little Women with my book club tonight.

First off, I love these ladies. We come from all walks of life and are all different ages and they are all WONDERFUL. I seriously feel so lucky to know them.

We read Little Women & Good Wives before Christmas, and as the new movie is in the theatres right now, we decided to ditch our traditional coffee shop hangout and go see the film. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical as I am a big fan of the Susan Sarandon version… but the story drew me in and I absolutely loved it. I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with Jo March all over again.

There was something about the way they told the story in this version that really spoke to me. Instead of presenting the story line chronologically as it is in the book, it’s all chopped up and flips back and forth between the present and the girls’ childhood. It bothered me at first, but then I sort of fell in love with it. It really connected how the experiences of their youth shaped them in their future lives.

Watching it made me feel so… alive. Jo has always been one of my favourite literary characters, and she lives and breathes her passion for writing. She wrestles with it so much, but she finally figures out what she’s meant to write… and it’s not even for her. It’s for Beth. It gives her purpose. Meaning.

As I saw the end scene with her holding the first bound copy of her book I realized how badly I want that. Not necessarily a book itself, but to write something that really means something to me. Watching it made me want to wake up my brain and do something with it again.

Watching it made me want to go for walks and play piano. Be outside and just think. Appreciate music and art. Watching it made me feel so inspired.

It made me realize that I used to feel this way, but I’ve been silencing it by scrolling mindlessly on my phone instead of letting myself be bored. Of not allowing my imagination out of the narrow box I’ve put it in. Of keeping myself in a safe little box, free from judgement or questions.

I feel like I woke up tonight. It feels a little silly to say that Little Women woke me up, but it’s like my heart is on fire with all the things I want to do… and instead of coming up with all the reasons why I can’t / shouldn’t do them, I’m just… going to do them. And see what happens.

I’ve always felt like I’ve been more of a Meg… but maybe there’s a little Jo in me too.