Yay for staying true to you! Changes are necessary; you aren’t the same person you were when you were 15, so why would you keep on in the same vein here when it no longer feels authentic? (I’ve poorly articulated what’s in my head.) I would love to see some behind-the-scenes stuff!
Bravo! You've kicked me back into center where that little niggling thought that some of my writing is gross to readers needs to be kicked out. Recently, I've started writing flash fiction and realized some of it has diverted from my usual garden and wildlife stuff into creepy, crime-ridden observations and fearful musings. Life is stained with evil all around us and I've been reacting to that even though I shelter in my garden to keep my sanity. But I need to express that insanity. Thought we try to paint a pastel facade on our fears, we need to express them. We'll find then that everyone has those fears and hiding from them doesn't make them go away or become weaker.
So, dear Charlene, thank you for giving me permission to share those little nuggets of creepy stuff that creeps into our daily lives. It's the stuff of mythology and horror movies that is therapeutic.
I'm so glad it made sense to you, Sue! And YES to sharing the weird, the creepy, and the bizarre alongside the everyday and the beautiful. Reminds me of this quote: “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” ― G.K. Chesterton
Exactly. Chesterton was right on. European stories can be harrowing, but Mexicans have a story tradition around death and ghosts. When I did some weekly storytelling to a group of Mexican kids in Watsonville, CA, I told the story of La Llorona, a sad ghost story that involves unrequited love, betrayal, and infanticide. These kids were about eight years old, but knew the story and one little boy claimed he had seen her ghost walking up and down the river, crying for her murdered children.
Look forward to reading more of what is to come Charlene, and good on you for sharing this change in direction - or perhaps just opening up more of what is already there! 😊
I can totally relate to your concerns, even though I haven’t launched yet.
As a planner myself, I’ve changed my title three times in the past three months and really took the time to figure out what I want to write about.
I’ve officially decided to start in less than a month, but the most important decision I’ve made is that if I’m going to do this, I want to be authentic.
And that means allowing my voice to be influenced by my life events and experiences, and seeing where it takes me.
Hello! 👋🏻 Hope everything goes great with your new Substack, Vladica, it's such a great place to write. I know what you mean about names - it took me a while to mull over mine but knew it was right when I found it. You're right as well about needing the flexibility to adapt and grow within the space and I think we can really only do that by starting. Nothing ever stays the same, right?! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. 🖤
I could have written this word for word, it's exactly what I am feeling right now. I also started to feel pidgeon-holed into a very bland mold earlier this year and I'm longing to shake things up a bit. Thank you for putting into words this feeling some of us are having.
I'm so glad you can relate to this, Katy, it's so easy to think everyone else has got it all figured out, isn't?! Hope you shake things up however you feel best suits you at whatever pace you need. Feels good so far!
Cheers to letting your feisty, true self shine! I’d rather read messy and authentic than half hearted, carefully contrived words. I look forward to reading more. 🫶🏻
Thanks, Kim! I totally agree - I feel like I caught myself before I strayed into anything contrived but it's easily done when you're restricting yourself, I think. Excited to share more!
I think you're part of a movement of releasing the artifice to make way for more of the Real to show up in cyberspace. I find myself still in WIP mode, but it feels like I'm edging closer to a return, and a likely reset as well.
I resonated with what you wrote and expressed, thank you. When I started on Substack, I didn’t want to be seen as gloomy , so tried to bring joy and beauty in as much as possible…even though sometimes it felt false. I recognise the seduction of wanting to be popular, now I would rather be unpopular and be true to myself and my voice. This has made a tremendous difference to what I share including the genuine joy and beauty of being alive.
The number of new subscribers has dropped, but I have not lost any subscribers. Most people still want to stay in a fluffy slipper fantasy or wearing a linen dress in a field one . Which is a strategy and obviously works for the majority, but it’s not how I live or want to.
Keep being truthful and authentic , that is what we need now in a world inundated with manipulation and lies.
Fabulous, I love that you’ve done this. The ‘slow living’ is beautiful but for lots of us it’s only part of the story. I’ve found it in making art - drawn by the gentle, aesthetically pleasing minimalism (which is a true part - but only part - of me) and neglecting the feisty side. My new body of work is called ‘darker, wilder,’. I’m sharing this to say how this post and your shift really resonate with me. So grateful it’s not just me!
I absolutely love your new look Charlene and a bloody huge hooray foe being ourselves here in this fabulous community! Coincidentally I've been trying to find time to update my own pages, looks like it will have to wait for the holidays though.. although I said that through the summer holidays too... hmmm!
I wait with anticipation to see your next post lovely - Bravo for being you! xx
Changing direction in order to be more of one self is how to live life. Thank you
I totally agree, Janice! Thanks for reading. 🖤
Yay for staying true to you! Changes are necessary; you aren’t the same person you were when you were 15, so why would you keep on in the same vein here when it no longer feels authentic? (I’ve poorly articulated what’s in my head.) I would love to see some behind-the-scenes stuff!
Thanks so much for that encouragement, Teri! Will definitely share more behind-the-scenes - I love a moodboard and any chance to chat about fonts. 😆
Bravo! You've kicked me back into center where that little niggling thought that some of my writing is gross to readers needs to be kicked out. Recently, I've started writing flash fiction and realized some of it has diverted from my usual garden and wildlife stuff into creepy, crime-ridden observations and fearful musings. Life is stained with evil all around us and I've been reacting to that even though I shelter in my garden to keep my sanity. But I need to express that insanity. Thought we try to paint a pastel facade on our fears, we need to express them. We'll find then that everyone has those fears and hiding from them doesn't make them go away or become weaker.
So, dear Charlene, thank you for giving me permission to share those little nuggets of creepy stuff that creeps into our daily lives. It's the stuff of mythology and horror movies that is therapeutic.
I'm so glad it made sense to you, Sue! And YES to sharing the weird, the creepy, and the bizarre alongside the everyday and the beautiful. Reminds me of this quote: “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” ― G.K. Chesterton
Exactly. Chesterton was right on. European stories can be harrowing, but Mexicans have a story tradition around death and ghosts. When I did some weekly storytelling to a group of Mexican kids in Watsonville, CA, I told the story of La Llorona, a sad ghost story that involves unrequited love, betrayal, and infanticide. These kids were about eight years old, but knew the story and one little boy claimed he had seen her ghost walking up and down the river, crying for her murdered children.
Wow!
Look forward to reading more of what is to come Charlene, and good on you for sharing this change in direction - or perhaps just opening up more of what is already there! 😊
Thanks, Lauren, I'm so glad to hear that! I think you've nailed it - opening up more of what's there is a great way to put it.
Hello, fellow planner!
I can totally relate to your concerns, even though I haven’t launched yet.
As a planner myself, I’ve changed my title three times in the past three months and really took the time to figure out what I want to write about.
I’ve officially decided to start in less than a month, but the most important decision I’ve made is that if I’m going to do this, I want to be authentic.
And that means allowing my voice to be influenced by my life events and experiences, and seeing where it takes me.
Hello! 👋🏻 Hope everything goes great with your new Substack, Vladica, it's such a great place to write. I know what you mean about names - it took me a while to mull over mine but knew it was right when I found it. You're right as well about needing the flexibility to adapt and grow within the space and I think we can really only do that by starting. Nothing ever stays the same, right?! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. 🖤
I could have written this word for word, it's exactly what I am feeling right now. I also started to feel pidgeon-holed into a very bland mold earlier this year and I'm longing to shake things up a bit. Thank you for putting into words this feeling some of us are having.
I'm so glad you can relate to this, Katy, it's so easy to think everyone else has got it all figured out, isn't?! Hope you shake things up however you feel best suits you at whatever pace you need. Feels good so far!
I love this evolution, or return! So look forward to seeing your newest chapter unfold xx
Thanks, Lyndsay! Excited to see where it all leads me and looking forward to writing on some new themes - feels good so far. ❤️🔥
Cheers to letting your feisty, true self shine! I’d rather read messy and authentic than half hearted, carefully contrived words. I look forward to reading more. 🫶🏻
Thanks, Kim! I totally agree - I feel like I caught myself before I strayed into anything contrived but it's easily done when you're restricting yourself, I think. Excited to share more!
I think you're part of a movement of releasing the artifice to make way for more of the Real to show up in cyberspace. I find myself still in WIP mode, but it feels like I'm edging closer to a return, and a likely reset as well.
That's a great way to think about it, Victoria! Cheering you on to do the same. 🖤
Free to roam! Free to play! Free to be serious or silly, profound or frivolous. We want it all.
I've been thinking about this sort of shiz as well. Loving it, Charlene.
YES exactly - I knew you would get this energy, Janelle! 😆 Glad you're here. Thanks so much for this encouragement!
🥳
I resonated with what you wrote and expressed, thank you. When I started on Substack, I didn’t want to be seen as gloomy , so tried to bring joy and beauty in as much as possible…even though sometimes it felt false. I recognise the seduction of wanting to be popular, now I would rather be unpopular and be true to myself and my voice. This has made a tremendous difference to what I share including the genuine joy and beauty of being alive.
The number of new subscribers has dropped, but I have not lost any subscribers. Most people still want to stay in a fluffy slipper fantasy or wearing a linen dress in a field one . Which is a strategy and obviously works for the majority, but it’s not how I live or want to.
Keep being truthful and authentic , that is what we need now in a world inundated with manipulation and lies.
Fabulous, I love that you’ve done this. The ‘slow living’ is beautiful but for lots of us it’s only part of the story. I’ve found it in making art - drawn by the gentle, aesthetically pleasing minimalism (which is a true part - but only part - of me) and neglecting the feisty side. My new body of work is called ‘darker, wilder,’. I’m sharing this to say how this post and your shift really resonate with me. So grateful it’s not just me!
I absolutely love your new look Charlene and a bloody huge hooray foe being ourselves here in this fabulous community! Coincidentally I've been trying to find time to update my own pages, looks like it will have to wait for the holidays though.. although I said that through the summer holidays too... hmmm!
I wait with anticipation to see your next post lovely - Bravo for being you! xx
YES PLEASE!!! I’m here for you in your full glory 😍😍😍 and I love the new art direction 💥
Love it! If you can't be yourself on Substack, where can you? Looking forward to reading more 👍🏻🙂
I ,so, love this!