“Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change” by Maggie Smith

“Keep Moving” was published by Atria/One Signal Publishers with cover and interior pages designed by Oliver Munday.

Maggie Smith is an award-winning author of several books of poetry. One of her most well-known works, “Good Bones,” a straightforward, powerful poem about the dark pains and mixed hope of life, spread like wildfire on social media in 2016, earning the title of “Official Poem of 2016” from Public Radio International. Just two years later, Smith and her husband of 19 years began the process of divorce. In the wake of this personal upheaval, Smith began writing daily Twitter posts, self-directed encouragements and inspirations, each one ending with the line “Keep moving.”

Today’s goal: Remind yourself that you are not betraying your grief by feeling joy. You are not being graded, and you do not receive extra credit for being miserable 100% of the time. Find pockets of relief, even happiness, when and where you can. Keep moving.

— Maggie Smith (@maggiesmithpoet) December 1, 2018

Now, Smith’s affirming self-directives have been combined with short essays that are part memoir, part meditation on loss and transformation in a book entitled “Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change.” The chosen tweets are laid out in a muted design by graphic artist Oliver Munday, featuring one per page and switching between white, black and light blue backgrounds. 

Maggie Smith’s book is filled with bold recommendations on how to move forward.

“Keep Moving” is presented in three sections, or themes — Revision, Resilience and Transformation. Smith’s story and message bloom from the death of her marriage — the death of the life she thought she would have. In between the “notes-to-self,” her story is told, piece by piece, season by season. The revision, the resilience and the transformation. As a poet, her segments of prose in between the pages sing.

“What did my life’s hardest season give to me? Most of all, belief in my own ability not only to come back after a long winter but to grow stronger, more alive. Belief that change makes everything possible. Belief in my own spring. In the meantime, thanks to the bare trees, I can see more sky. It’s a beauty emergency — all that blue through the branches.”

Other reviewers have spoken of “Keep Moving” like a loving friend whispering encouragement in your ear. Smith does not negate your pain or tell you to push grief away. Instead, the messages invite you to come as you are, welcoming you and your human-ness. More cynical reviewers have criticized the “tweet” format, calling out some of the pages for resembling “doggedly positive” “inspo quotes.” They’re not completely wrong; after all, “Keep Moving” is a collection of inspirational tweets, not a comprehensive self-help book. But to say it’s only a collection of affirming quotes would sell its depth short.

Keep Moving is a beautiful graphic book, perfect as a gift for a grieving friend.

The essays throughout reveal small, intimate windows of Smith’s life beyond the upheaval of divorce. The death of her grandmother. Two miscarriages. Postpartum depression. Moments of joy, seasons of grief.

“What you deserve is not pain but peace — peace in whatever form it takes. If your peace is small and broken, carry it close to you, whisper to it now and then, nurture it until it grows and can take a turn carrying you. Keep moving.”

By allowing us into her life with this deeper vulnerability, Smith’s inspirational messages feel more impactful than just simple affirmations. They are compassionate, empathetic directives fit for anyone experiencing deep loss and grief: Don’t give up. Keep moving.