Thank you for this. Particularly this part....”It just needs to come from an honest, genuine place — from a felt sense of doing our best to contribute in the ways we’re able to — from the love of it — from the desire to do it — and hopefully by choosing to show up for it, it creates some tiny spark of light in our own tiny corners of the world”.
I recently started my own newsletter after blogging for about a year of blogging. It’s a strange feeling to bring the most vulnerable parts of me forward, but when you hear the call to do it, NOT leaning in doesn’t feel like a choice.
I’m a fairly new subscriber and I’m looking forward to more of your work!
Thank you for this reflection -- "not leaning in doesn't feel like a choice" I resonate so much with this, and have found that the outcome doesn't even matter as much as making the aligned choice to try and see what unfolds. I appreciate your share here!
This makes me think of this idea that when we hear our own call, there is no other choice but to heed it. Not doing it would be a disservice to ourselves and the world.
You got it. I feel that’s so true. I just wrapped up some work with a spiritual psychic about finding our purpose. At the end she reminded us that “once you see your purpose, you can never unsee it”.
Your writing resonates to people in ways you have no idea. For me personally, it is a longing to have a friend to have these type of conversations that you share in your writing. While I don’t know you as a person your writing makes me feel heard as your ideas often parallel my own head space in my own life journey which is both different and at times similar to yours.
Thank you for sharing your gift of the written word. For understanding fundamental elements of being human. And most importantly being organic and genuine.
To read your words and the comments of others gives me reminders I am not alone in my thoughts in this lifelong journey.
Thank you, Aaron, for this reflection and for all your reflections you've shared here this year. It means a lot and I find great comfort in seeing familiar names pop up, knowing there is some kind of steady stream of connection happening in a small way here. Your words touch me deeply and remind me why I show up.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! 💫 I can relate, as a relatively new Substacker, to the practice of showing up for oneself. It can be challenging at times and doubt definitely sets in. But when I started my newsletter I told myself “I’m my own audience” aka I’m doing it for me. I can lose sight sometimes if that perspective but it remains my North Star. I hope to apply those lessons to other bits of my life! Wishing you a wonderful new year (slow, slow, cozy, cozy indeed) 🐌🍵
Having that North Star to return to is everything. And is such an anchor when it starts to feel a little wobbly -- when you start to forget what is true and what matters. Thank you for showing up, and for your reflection here. Slow and cozy, slow and cozy. <3
lisa, your writing and how you process has been such a gift to me this year. yours was the first substack I'd ever heard of and now I'm discerning my own way(s) to show up and write after transitioning out of things that "no longer fit." grateful for your time and energy here, more than any of us will ever know.
I am so grateful to know this space has been any sort of comfort to you this year -- it's such a gift to hear that. And a deep bow to you, for following the call despite not knowing where it will lead, for choosing what may be the uncomfortable thing when it is also the right thing. I resonate so much. Thank you for this reflection. <3
Every single word here moved me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your vulnerability ❤️ Please keep on. Your newsletter reminds me to be more compassionate to myself and others. Best wishes for you in 2023 from tiny 🇵🇦
I am so glad it reached you. Thank you for this reflection -- and what a gift to know my newsletter offers any kind of reminder to hold compassion. Writing it reminds me, too. <3
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I found your expressions relatable. What is the name of your book? As I'm on disability with a fixed income thank you for the ability to explore your writings without having to pay. I look forward to more from you. Happy New Year! 🌟 ☮️♥️
Happy New Year to you! And thank you again for bringing a spark of light with your words and your writing all year round - for prompting new reflections and bringing gentle reminders. I appreciate your writing more than I can say - and I look forward to reading more of your words again next year. Sending you so much love🫶🏻✨
Thank you, Blanka, for your reflection and your ongoing kind presence in this space. Your comments have meant so much and feel so sweet to receive. So grateful. <3
This is beautiful, thank you for your reflection. It brought a lot to the forefront of my mind, including gratitude. I relate so closely to all the gifts of the writing process, as well as the fruits of connection with others on Substack. When I started writing on this platform, I didn't realize how much more it would get me reading and reflecting on other writers' posts too. Posts, like this sweet one you've written, are part of the gifts that keep on giving. Thank you! HNY <3
I, too, have gotten so much out of reading the work of others and taking in the brilliance that exists in this space. It's so inspiring and nourishing. Thank you for this reflection and for reading -- HNY to you <3
Lisa, I appreciate how you name writing as a worthy form of contribution. I agree, and find writing an awesome medium with so many wonderful outcomes, as you mentioned.
I also am grateful for your regular call to opposite experiences as compatible or in balance. This is reassuring, given a lifetime of training that "negative" experiences are to be forgotten or denied. :-)
I appreciate this reflection and I'm really glad to know there's reassurance found in remembering all of it can be welcomed, even when it's uncomfortable. It's a lifelong practice for me.
Thank you Lisa. I especially loved getting to see a simplified list of every single letter you've written us. There is so much compassion and pride in what you've accomplished that shows through, and it gives me permission/inspires me to take a moment and take pride in my own work and growth. You are a north star in the way I orient myself on both a personal and professional level, and for that I am deeply grateful to you and all that you share.
Tears, thank you for this reflection Anna. I sometimes wonder what I am doing here and when those moments of pride come through, it feels important to let myself fully express and hold space for it. An ongoing practice, one that certainly doesn't always feel natural. Your presence here, and in all you do, is so felt and appreciated. Grateful for your place in the world.
As you talk about trusting ourselves I really appreciate this part of the Patti Smith article you shared
“She believes these voids, these places of artistic stillness, have, like everything else, the potential to be their own source of creativity if we can learn to see the void “animated, almost, like all those particles animated.” By this she means that we must learn to animate the void by filling it with questions, energy, desire, and a language of enthusiasm that is importantly, she says, not a naive enthusiasm or a willfully ignorant optimism; it’s not a turning away from or an avoidance of the pain and hardship we face or see others face. It is, instead, the act of greeting life—with all its grief, difficulty, and deceptively stagnant moments—with a steadfast trust in our ability to ride it, to change, to evolve.”
As I continue to sit with the questions of my thesis and life really I continue on, I reflect back on the years before that have allowed me to arrive to this place, so often your words reminding me to slow, to practice curiosity. It is a practice but I am proud that I have leaned into not rushing knowing that I am not behind, I am just where I need to be. I don’t need to suffer to be able to finish, whatever “finishing” means.
Lisa I am so grateful to you for following your inner call and choosing to share in the way that you do. I stumbled across your writing on Instagram some time ago and it stopped me in my tracks. Your unique way of expressing yourself helps me breathe more easily. It is deeply acknowledging. It has me feel seen, and somehow more free. I know that this has touched my life, and my own journey as a writer, in so many ways. You and your work are part of a beautiful web I can feel holding me. I’m wishing you and yours everything good for the year ahead (and a continued slow, cozy winter) 🖤
Wow, you've been writing on Substack for 9 months, I didn't realize I had been reading your letter, every Sunday for 9 months (maybe 8, I think I joined a little late). As much as it is a ritual for you, it too has become a ritual for me (and I think many). I eagerly await the email on Sundays. I actually didn't see an email notification this morning so I went and looked in the other subfiles and saw that you actually sent it out on Friday. But I am glad I didn't see it until today, to begin my new year with your words that fill my heart with warmth, that help me feel less alone, and often bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
I've written in a previous comment section about this before... to your point about not getting to all of the things and accomplishment; the past few years accomplishment has become something entirely different for me. The last 6 years have been about survival. Last year I made the resolution to not have a suicide attempt in 2022, and I didn't! I didn't think I'd really be happy or proud about this "accomplishment" but I am, I actually want to shout it from the rooftops, yet I have no one to tell, no one to share it with, but maybe that isn't fact and I should reach out to loved ones and share this with them (but I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable). And that is why healing is so lonely. BUT I'll share it here, in a more anonymous way, not really burdening anyone.
Cheers to a new year and to another year of not trying to kill myself (hopefully the dark humor is appreciated).
Thank you for this. Particularly this part....”It just needs to come from an honest, genuine place — from a felt sense of doing our best to contribute in the ways we’re able to — from the love of it — from the desire to do it — and hopefully by choosing to show up for it, it creates some tiny spark of light in our own tiny corners of the world”.
I recently started my own newsletter after blogging for about a year of blogging. It’s a strange feeling to bring the most vulnerable parts of me forward, but when you hear the call to do it, NOT leaning in doesn’t feel like a choice.
I’m a fairly new subscriber and I’m looking forward to more of your work!
Thank you for this reflection -- "not leaning in doesn't feel like a choice" I resonate so much with this, and have found that the outcome doesn't even matter as much as making the aligned choice to try and see what unfolds. I appreciate your share here!
This makes me think of this idea that when we hear our own call, there is no other choice but to heed it. Not doing it would be a disservice to ourselves and the world.
You got it. I feel that’s so true. I just wrapped up some work with a spiritual psychic about finding our purpose. At the end she reminded us that “once you see your purpose, you can never unsee it”.
Your writing resonates to people in ways you have no idea. For me personally, it is a longing to have a friend to have these type of conversations that you share in your writing. While I don’t know you as a person your writing makes me feel heard as your ideas often parallel my own head space in my own life journey which is both different and at times similar to yours.
Thank you for sharing your gift of the written word. For understanding fundamental elements of being human. And most importantly being organic and genuine.
To read your words and the comments of others gives me reminders I am not alone in my thoughts in this lifelong journey.
Thank you, Aaron, for this reflection and for all your reflections you've shared here this year. It means a lot and I find great comfort in seeing familiar names pop up, knowing there is some kind of steady stream of connection happening in a small way here. Your words touch me deeply and remind me why I show up.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! 💫 I can relate, as a relatively new Substacker, to the practice of showing up for oneself. It can be challenging at times and doubt definitely sets in. But when I started my newsletter I told myself “I’m my own audience” aka I’m doing it for me. I can lose sight sometimes if that perspective but it remains my North Star. I hope to apply those lessons to other bits of my life! Wishing you a wonderful new year (slow, slow, cozy, cozy indeed) 🐌🍵
Having that North Star to return to is everything. And is such an anchor when it starts to feel a little wobbly -- when you start to forget what is true and what matters. Thank you for showing up, and for your reflection here. Slow and cozy, slow and cozy. <3
"I'm my own audience." LOVE THAT!
lisa, your writing and how you process has been such a gift to me this year. yours was the first substack I'd ever heard of and now I'm discerning my own way(s) to show up and write after transitioning out of things that "no longer fit." grateful for your time and energy here, more than any of us will ever know.
I am so grateful to know this space has been any sort of comfort to you this year -- it's such a gift to hear that. And a deep bow to you, for following the call despite not knowing where it will lead, for choosing what may be the uncomfortable thing when it is also the right thing. I resonate so much. Thank you for this reflection. <3
Every single word here moved me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your vulnerability ❤️ Please keep on. Your newsletter reminds me to be more compassionate to myself and others. Best wishes for you in 2023 from tiny 🇵🇦
I am so glad it reached you. Thank you for this reflection -- and what a gift to know my newsletter offers any kind of reminder to hold compassion. Writing it reminds me, too. <3
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I found your expressions relatable. What is the name of your book? As I'm on disability with a fixed income thank you for the ability to explore your writings without having to pay. I look forward to more from you. Happy New Year! 🌟 ☮️♥️
My book is called Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance. I'm so grateful to get to share, and thank you for receiving. Happy New Year to you <3
I finished your book last week and I found it so helpful and just a brilliant read all around 💛 Happy New Year to you 😊
I am so, so glad to hear this -- thank you for sharing <3 and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you! And thank you again for bringing a spark of light with your words and your writing all year round - for prompting new reflections and bringing gentle reminders. I appreciate your writing more than I can say - and I look forward to reading more of your words again next year. Sending you so much love🫶🏻✨
Thank you, Blanka, for your reflection and your ongoing kind presence in this space. Your comments have meant so much and feel so sweet to receive. So grateful. <3
This is beautiful, thank you for your reflection. It brought a lot to the forefront of my mind, including gratitude. I relate so closely to all the gifts of the writing process, as well as the fruits of connection with others on Substack. When I started writing on this platform, I didn't realize how much more it would get me reading and reflecting on other writers' posts too. Posts, like this sweet one you've written, are part of the gifts that keep on giving. Thank you! HNY <3
I, too, have gotten so much out of reading the work of others and taking in the brilliance that exists in this space. It's so inspiring and nourishing. Thank you for this reflection and for reading -- HNY to you <3
Lisa, I appreciate how you name writing as a worthy form of contribution. I agree, and find writing an awesome medium with so many wonderful outcomes, as you mentioned.
I also am grateful for your regular call to opposite experiences as compatible or in balance. This is reassuring, given a lifetime of training that "negative" experiences are to be forgotten or denied. :-)
I appreciate this reflection and I'm really glad to know there's reassurance found in remembering all of it can be welcomed, even when it's uncomfortable. It's a lifelong practice for me.
Happy New Year to you and yours! 🎉 Looking forward to reading more of your words in 2023. 💕
Thank you for being here <3 HNY!
Thank you Lisa. I especially loved getting to see a simplified list of every single letter you've written us. There is so much compassion and pride in what you've accomplished that shows through, and it gives me permission/inspires me to take a moment and take pride in my own work and growth. You are a north star in the way I orient myself on both a personal and professional level, and for that I am deeply grateful to you and all that you share.
Tears, thank you for this reflection Anna. I sometimes wonder what I am doing here and when those moments of pride come through, it feels important to let myself fully express and hold space for it. An ongoing practice, one that certainly doesn't always feel natural. Your presence here, and in all you do, is so felt and appreciated. Grateful for your place in the world.
I am so grateful you choose to write and share your writing with us!
As you talk about trusting ourselves I really appreciate this part of the Patti Smith article you shared
“She believes these voids, these places of artistic stillness, have, like everything else, the potential to be their own source of creativity if we can learn to see the void “animated, almost, like all those particles animated.” By this she means that we must learn to animate the void by filling it with questions, energy, desire, and a language of enthusiasm that is importantly, she says, not a naive enthusiasm or a willfully ignorant optimism; it’s not a turning away from or an avoidance of the pain and hardship we face or see others face. It is, instead, the act of greeting life—with all its grief, difficulty, and deceptively stagnant moments—with a steadfast trust in our ability to ride it, to change, to evolve.”
As I continue to sit with the questions of my thesis and life really I continue on, I reflect back on the years before that have allowed me to arrive to this place, so often your words reminding me to slow, to practice curiosity. It is a practice but I am proud that I have leaned into not rushing knowing that I am not behind, I am just where I need to be. I don’t need to suffer to be able to finish, whatever “finishing” means.
Lisa I am so grateful to you for following your inner call and choosing to share in the way that you do. I stumbled across your writing on Instagram some time ago and it stopped me in my tracks. Your unique way of expressing yourself helps me breathe more easily. It is deeply acknowledging. It has me feel seen, and somehow more free. I know that this has touched my life, and my own journey as a writer, in so many ways. You and your work are part of a beautiful web I can feel holding me. I’m wishing you and yours everything good for the year ahead (and a continued slow, cozy winter) 🖤
Wow, you've been writing on Substack for 9 months, I didn't realize I had been reading your letter, every Sunday for 9 months (maybe 8, I think I joined a little late). As much as it is a ritual for you, it too has become a ritual for me (and I think many). I eagerly await the email on Sundays. I actually didn't see an email notification this morning so I went and looked in the other subfiles and saw that you actually sent it out on Friday. But I am glad I didn't see it until today, to begin my new year with your words that fill my heart with warmth, that help me feel less alone, and often bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
I've written in a previous comment section about this before... to your point about not getting to all of the things and accomplishment; the past few years accomplishment has become something entirely different for me. The last 6 years have been about survival. Last year I made the resolution to not have a suicide attempt in 2022, and I didn't! I didn't think I'd really be happy or proud about this "accomplishment" but I am, I actually want to shout it from the rooftops, yet I have no one to tell, no one to share it with, but maybe that isn't fact and I should reach out to loved ones and share this with them (but I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable). And that is why healing is so lonely. BUT I'll share it here, in a more anonymous way, not really burdening anyone.
Cheers to a new year and to another year of not trying to kill myself (hopefully the dark humor is appreciated).