Janette Watt (she/they)
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janettewatt.bsky.social
Janette Watt (she/they)
@janettewatt.bsky.social
850 followers 1.8K following 390 posts
Janette reflects on issues affecting us all. A career as a lawyer, academic, and a government policymaker - what has always driven her is a passion for a better world for everyone. A collection of her essays are found at https://janettewatt.substack.com/
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Amazing, isn't it. Life, I mean -- look at that sky, the clouds, the colours of your tree.
We're here together, or at least we can be.
- jw.
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced" said Soren Kierkegaard. "When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves" said Viktor Frankl. Joan Didion made a speech that I reflect on (see below). Now, it's up to me -- and you.
#ONElife
"WE MUST LIVE FULLY, AWAKE!" in this one life of ours ...
I’m expecting a “Carpe Diem” speech where she’ll tell us to “Seize the Day!” —encouraging us to make the most of the present moment because life is short and time is fleeting — and she did, but she al...
janettewatt.substack.com
Pictured: Me (jw). that time we climbed up to Dunnottar Castle and breathed in the sea air and the sky, and for awhile laid down on the soft grass as others walked around us.
Life
is like
a poem

We need to
experience it
deliberately,
openly,
compassionately

within this single lifetime that we share.

This is my poem
jw.

🪶 Find me here: janettewatt.substack.com

#oneLIFE #poetry #poet #writer #artist #creatives
#Kindness #Caring #Compassion #Peace
#reflections #culture
I'm done with you cowardly cruel people making yourself feel better by putting other's down. Eg? Throwing around the word B*tch -- OH! You said, Karen? Right, so APOLOGIZE! More here: substack.com/profile/2841...

I'm going to keep calling this garbage out! Sometimes that's what kindness looks like!
We must live in the world and truly look at what is around us, who is around us. We must understand where we are and who we are -- in this world. It's what we all must do. It's a start. And the only way things will get better. More here: janettewatt.substack.com

#writers #activists #poets #JUSTICE
The painting is called "Trust in Leader" by artist Narendra Gangakhedkar found here: www.indiaart.com/art-marketpl... We could use a lot more of that, couldn't we? All of us, everywhere, all at once!
I've been reflecting on truth and trust and how to honestly look at the world without, as Joan Didion said 'projecting our own image onto the world'. Every Monday I post an imperfect reflection, doing my best to see the world in a way that maybe helps us to manoeuvre. janettewatt.substack.com
Even with broken trust, even with broken hearts we can carry on. I hope this message finds you well. We don’t have to know each other to wish each other that. Your friend until you tell me otherwise, until you prove me wrong - jw.
Find me here: janettewatt.substack.com
#trust #truth #relationships
TRUST. It seems to me it's most needed when we’re most vulnerable and that we're only able to receive it IF we’re vulnerable. For more please come visit me here: janettewatt.substack.com with my gratitude. - jw.

Art by V. Kush found here: kushfineart.com/artworks/943...

#trust #truth #reflections
DIARY OF DISCOVERIES - 24 x 42 INCHES
DIARY OF DISCOVERIES - 24 x 42 INCHES Signed and Numbered Limited Edition PRINT ON CANVAS 24 x 42 INCHES
kushfineart.com
My reflection this week borrowed words from Shakespeare that I've often quoted. Turns out, I had them wrong. It's not "Trust few" it's "Trust a few". Changes the meaning, doesn't it? An encouragement? Not a warning? As I reflect, I continue to unpack my preconceptions. Here: janettewatt.substack.com
I'm working on my reflection for Monday and tracked down these words of Joan Didion (below). It's so much better when you read her words in context, the way she wrote them, spoke them -- intended them. More to think about.

Happy weekend!
If you have time, please come visit janettewatt.substack.com
I'm asking "How many days have you lived so far?" and calculating my answer guided by what Joan Didion wrote.

Monday I revisit "LIVING" in my weekly reflection, available free in my "library" of posts here: janettewatt.substack.com

#BEINGhuman #exploring #JUSTICE #EQUALITY #WISDOM #REFLECTIONS
— just as when I reflected on TRUTH, my reflection on TRUST is an attempt at pragmatic answers. Who do we trust? How can we trust? When do we trust?

Please find it on Substack by CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW with my thanks!

#reflections #truth #trust #ONEworld
#everydayPROBLEMS #INsearchofANSWERS
...TRUST FEW, DO WRONG TO NONE
Last week, I wrote about TRUTH (HERE) reflecting on the question of: where do we find it?
janettewatt.substack.com
An Invitation to My Heroes

I'm planning a party.
I have a list of Heroes.
some of you I know,
some of you I knew,
some of you I met once
and other's of you
I still hope to meet--
here now, or
even though
you've passed on
not long ago or long ago
[THAT'S IF..]
cont'd www.instagram.com/janettewatt/
photo credit: me. Here, sitting at home reading, reflecting ... sorting through the everyday ...

#writers #poets #ordinarypeople #reflections #LESSalone #kindness #ONEworld
I’m sitting here sorting through everyday worries and life's big questions, trying to find answers. When I share my thoughts with you it's because I want us to feel less alone--and also maybe we can make sense of things—together. I'm here, never far. I write reflections here janettewatt.substack.com
I want to be a poem
like saxifrage,
the way the flower splits the rock.

- jw.
Toronto, Ontario
October 14th 2025.
🤍

Please come visit me here: janettewatt.substack.com

#poetry #nature #writing #life #ONEworld #reflections
#activism #philosophy
Life is hard but --

"...since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love—
But for livin' I was born

Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry—
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.

Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!"
Langston Hughes - Life is Fine (Poetry Reading)
YouTube video by Everyday - Poetry
www.youtube.com
Growing up I was told who and what to trust rather than how to form trust, which led to more experiences of distrust than trust. Despite this, I still formed good relationships,...

I reflect on TRUST in this week's substack post here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/trust-few-...

#TRUST #HOPE #ONEWORLD
...TRUST FEW, DO WRONG TO NONE
Last week, I wrote about TRUTH (HERE) reflecting on the question of: where do we find it?
janettewatt.substack.com
This popped up on my search engine "suggested reads". I haven't read the article -- I don't really have an interest EXCEPT that I can't help LOVING that this is a piece published in Popular Mechanics! ROFL

#news #science #wonderfulweirdworld