Lisa, your paragraph of Being Somebody in actual life being inversely proportional to Being Somebody in public. A hundred times this. Thank you for naming this dynamic. It is my path too xx
Oh so grateful to know you're traversing that strange and tender path, too -- it really is such a grappling, isn't it? I'm so grateful for what the public sphere of my work has brought, and also... goodness, it can really pull away from what matters most at times. So much more complexity than what I just named, but it sounds like you know in your own way. Sending care amid it all 💛
It is a grappling yes. And complex. I too am very grateful, and yet in my bones (which I trust) I know that the intense cultivation of an 'audience/platform' part of my life is done. I gave myself to it for over 13 years and it's exhausting. I find it claustrophobic somehow. I am finding sweet pleasure in the 'humanity up close' that you talk about. It feels like it could be enough for the next chapter. I think for me there is something about recognising with grace that the public stuff is good for a time, and it's wonderful and useful and connective, but it's more than OK to say I have done my time and now I want something quieter :) But courage too, in accepting this will have ramifications for things like publishing, and implications for the ongoing wound tending around being seen/unseen ;) Anyway, thank you again xx
Yes yes yes, relate so very much. It feels tricky with a book coming out next year, as I know I'll have to be "on" in some form... yet the descent into quiet and private feels imminent. Thank you for sharing your reflection with me 💛
I absolutely loved this post, Lisa. Thank you so much for articulating all of that. It rang as true for me as the sound of my own heartbeat. When I read a Substack post I really love I record myself reading it so I can listen to it again. I’ve added this post to my recorded list. Xox
Thank you for your vulnerability. I needed it this morning. I keep waiting for “it”… permission. Direction. Encouragement. I have three sacks full of all of it. But it feels never enough. You are the queen of ENOUGH. 🥰
“So beautifully written, and so deeply expressed. I found myself pausing many times just to say, ‘yes, me too.’ After these past weeks of feeling so alone (as we all do at times on Life’s journey), it was such a gift to see in your words what I also see and know in my own heart. Thank you.”
I loved reading this, it went straight to the core. The paragraph about compassion creating threads of intimacy was beautiful and wove around topics that have been on my mind a lot lately. Through the path of mothering the softening that is required, I am being shown so much about all my relationships and how hardened I have been to life. Thank you.
Lisa, your paragraph of Being Somebody in actual life being inversely proportional to Being Somebody in public. A hundred times this. Thank you for naming this dynamic. It is my path too xx
Oh so grateful to know you're traversing that strange and tender path, too -- it really is such a grappling, isn't it? I'm so grateful for what the public sphere of my work has brought, and also... goodness, it can really pull away from what matters most at times. So much more complexity than what I just named, but it sounds like you know in your own way. Sending care amid it all 💛
It is a grappling yes. And complex. I too am very grateful, and yet in my bones (which I trust) I know that the intense cultivation of an 'audience/platform' part of my life is done. I gave myself to it for over 13 years and it's exhausting. I find it claustrophobic somehow. I am finding sweet pleasure in the 'humanity up close' that you talk about. It feels like it could be enough for the next chapter. I think for me there is something about recognising with grace that the public stuff is good for a time, and it's wonderful and useful and connective, but it's more than OK to say I have done my time and now I want something quieter :) But courage too, in accepting this will have ramifications for things like publishing, and implications for the ongoing wound tending around being seen/unseen ;) Anyway, thank you again xx
Yes yes yes, relate so very much. It feels tricky with a book coming out next year, as I know I'll have to be "on" in some form... yet the descent into quiet and private feels imminent. Thank you for sharing your reflection with me 💛
A beautiful, poignant, and life-giving essay through gorgeous prose!! Thank you!!
Thank you for reading 💛
Lisa, your words and spirit are, as always, a salve.
Also... Any way we can get a Human Stuff playlist on Spotify with the songs you include in these posts? :)
So grateful. And that is a sweet idea! I will see what I can do :)
I absolutely loved this post, Lisa. Thank you so much for articulating all of that. It rang as true for me as the sound of my own heartbeat. When I read a Substack post I really love I record myself reading it so I can listen to it again. I’ve added this post to my recorded list. Xox
That is such a lovely practice -- thank you for sharing 💛
Thank you for your vulnerability. I needed it this morning. I keep waiting for “it”… permission. Direction. Encouragement. I have three sacks full of all of it. But it feels never enough. You are the queen of ENOUGH. 🥰
A forever practice 🫠🧡
Damn! This was a REALLY good one. Deep. And light as a feather. Thank you Lisa.
Grateful for that, thank you!
So beautiful ❤️
Thank you for reading 🧡
Toy Story 2 is one of the most devastating stories ever told 💔❤️
Truly 🥺
So on point - exactly what I needed. Huge love to you Lisa xx
So grateful <3 <3
“So beautifully written, and so deeply expressed. I found myself pausing many times just to say, ‘yes, me too.’ After these past weeks of feeling so alone (as we all do at times on Life’s journey), it was such a gift to see in your words what I also see and know in my own heart. Thank you.”
So grateful to know it connected with you -- and undoing the aloneness always feels like such a gift. Thank you <3
I loved reading this, it went straight to the core. The paragraph about compassion creating threads of intimacy was beautiful and wove around topics that have been on my mind a lot lately. Through the path of mothering the softening that is required, I am being shown so much about all my relationships and how hardened I have been to life. Thank you.
Ohh such a beautiful and resonant reflection -- thank you 💛
A very beautiful and relateable piece. Restacked.
So glad it found you 💛
This is absolutely beautiful wow
💛💛
Just the medicine I needed. Thank you. 🙏🏽
Oh so grateful 🧡
Exactly what I needed to read to relate and inspire me. Thank you!
Glad it reached you 💛
This weekend was quite full so hello on a rare Monday instead of Sunday :)