I love this post Mandy. I’m going to start considering the things my sister says to me with more weight. I also love how you described the physical feeling in your body when you realized you were a writer.
I did something this week that felt spacious and necessary. I was getting further and further behind on my scheduled posts. Weekly became biweekly became monthly. Ugh.
I told my readers I was taking the summer off to focus on family, writing, and my book (which just got a full manuscript request from an agent!).
In the meantime, I am working on at least four pieces to publish in the fall months. Check it out. If any topic looks intriguing (outside of the prearranged interview piece) and anyone wants to collab on it, let me know!
Thank you Jessica, this week I wrote about Why Midlife Women Thrive with Intentional Living - It explores the power of slow Sundays every day.
As always I attach an audio in the second half of my essay but this week listen out for little Alfie (my adorable miniature schnauzer) who’s snoring! I didn’t have the heart to re-do the recording as he sounds so sweet, so peaceful, and was enjoying the guided meditation along with us ❤️ https://traceyfenner.substack.com/p/why-midlife-women-thrive-with-intentional
This week I wrote about my fickle reading behavior, I've been a bit of a book tramp! Also a great writing prompt about physicality in our work, and a greek salad revamp. https://readwriteeat.substack.com/p/i-might-be-a-tramp
I'm very flighty with my book reading too. One night I'll read a true crime investigation, the next a literary memoir, and the next a detective novel. Also, I couldn't get into Martyr and didn't finish it and feel a little bad about it. (Just a little.)
Natalie, I think our brains work in much the same way. I love this post! My favorite posts are ones where I get to list the craziness of my own head and make it seem organized and relevant. R.E.W. is a great concept. It's a great container. I, too, am a book tramp. And when I can't like one, I just can't, even when I force myself. Also, love the bit about craft and using the body. So true and great advice.
This is well-researched and so well-done! I didn't realize there were four categories of resilience. Much of my dissertation (more than a decade ago) was about grit and resilience, but I'm afraid I haven't kept up too much with the latest research!
That’s fascinating, Jessica. What a great dissertation idea. Can you point to an essay that you’ve written about your experience? (And thanks for stopping by and reading!) 🙏😁
I wrote about moving into my first apartment after college almost 20 years ago and how that year was a liminal space between adolescence and adulthood. I was not yet a mom, doctor, cancer patient, wife. I was just a kid living with her friends in Brooklyn and having the time of my life.
I'm struggling with some big things right now, so I'm hoping small changes (like a 5k fun-run) will feel satisfactory and help with my depression and self-esteem...
I love that you're doing this! I have two friends with some mental health struggles, and I support them as best I can (I've learned how to do that), but I really wish they'd do something like this for themselves. <3
I reposted a piece from my archive this week. It’s a small story, about my travels as a free range child. I hope you’ll let it take you away from current events.
And I agree with you: the world has likely not changed--in fact, as far as snatching kids goes, it's actually a lot better--but the reason we think it's more dangerous is because we know more. (I did research about this when I had small kids.)
I shared a piece about losing my dad to dementia, the odd things I kept after he was gone, and how Father’s Day impacted grief. I wrote it 3 years ago, but just shared it on Substack now.
I relate to so much of your piece, Carol, almost one year out from losing my Dad. And I enjoyed hearing about your father, especially the wilderness trips. I feel like I know a little bit of him through your words.
Working on a humor piece reviewing the first half of 2025. I'm wading back into funny (or, at least, funny-ish) waters. Also worked out a thorny plot problem in my novel.
I hope you share it here when you're done. I write humor, as well, and it would be great to read more on Substack. It's challenging to find ~ it feels like either it has to be 100% comedy or it's not. What has been your experience?
https://mandyb1.substack.com/p/life-lessons-from-our-siblings
I wrote about how time and age can make us see more clearly the lessons of our lives.
Love a celebration of sibling relationships! I'm the eldest and I hear some of my little sister in your words. :)
I bet you do! How lucky we are to have each other.
This is such a lovely, thought-provoking post
Thank you so much! Give my love to old blighty!
It sure is!
The sibling relationship is so beautiful. ♥
Thanks so much, Bridget. Our siblings can save our lives, and thank goodness for that! And yes, I never ever wondered if I had made the right choice!
I love this post Mandy. I’m going to start considering the things my sister says to me with more weight. I also love how you described the physical feeling in your body when you realized you were a writer.
I returned to a topic I first wrote about on my second week on Substack - menopause, and how we’re still not having the conversations about it that matter. https://open.substack.com/pub/annamaija487/p/still-not-talking-about-the-menopause?r=33ghj7&utm_medium=ios
I'm a crone too!
Popping over to read this immediately. Such an important topic.
Thank you!
I did something this week that felt spacious and necessary. I was getting further and further behind on my scheduled posts. Weekly became biweekly became monthly. Ugh.
I told my readers I was taking the summer off to focus on family, writing, and my book (which just got a full manuscript request from an agent!).
In the meantime, I am working on at least four pieces to publish in the fall months. Check it out. If any topic looks intriguing (outside of the prearranged interview piece) and anyone wants to collab on it, let me know!
ingridwagnerwalsh.substack.com/p/schools-out-for-summer
I completely understand this, and good for you for taking the time for you. And congratulations on the manuscript request!
Yes to this!
congrats!!!
Thanks for all you do to buoy midlife writers, Jessica!
You're welcome, Carol!
Thank you Jessica, this week I wrote about Why Midlife Women Thrive with Intentional Living - It explores the power of slow Sundays every day.
As always I attach an audio in the second half of my essay but this week listen out for little Alfie (my adorable miniature schnauzer) who’s snoring! I didn’t have the heart to re-do the recording as he sounds so sweet, so peaceful, and was enjoying the guided meditation along with us ❤️ https://traceyfenner.substack.com/p/why-midlife-women-thrive-with-intentional
This week I wrote about my fickle reading behavior, I've been a bit of a book tramp! Also a great writing prompt about physicality in our work, and a greek salad revamp. https://readwriteeat.substack.com/p/i-might-be-a-tramp
I'm very flighty with my book reading too. One night I'll read a true crime investigation, the next a literary memoir, and the next a detective novel. Also, I couldn't get into Martyr and didn't finish it and feel a little bad about it. (Just a little.)
Love that you don’t have a book type!!!
Natalie, I think our brains work in much the same way. I love this post! My favorite posts are ones where I get to list the craziness of my own head and make it seem organized and relevant. R.E.W. is a great concept. It's a great container. I, too, am a book tramp. And when I can't like one, I just can't, even when I force myself. Also, love the bit about craft and using the body. So true and great advice.
Thanks so much! I think we should embrace our book trampiness rather than beat ourselves up!
My latest newsletter is called "Feeling in in a stupid world" on the four types of resilience. 💪https://lanivcox.substack.com/p/feeling-good-in-a-stupid-world
This is well-researched and so well-done! I didn't realize there were four categories of resilience. Much of my dissertation (more than a decade ago) was about grit and resilience, but I'm afraid I haven't kept up too much with the latest research!
That’s fascinating, Jessica. What a great dissertation idea. Can you point to an essay that you’ve written about your experience? (And thanks for stopping by and reading!) 🙏😁
Great thread. I shared this note to remind myself that I still need my parents' support. Yeah, I'm 50 years old. But this email my mom sent made my week: https://substack.com/@vanessanwright/note/c-126774221
I love this! This was so sweet! Thank you for sharing!
Your parents are amazing - I aspire to this kind of relationship with my kids when we’re reach that stage ❤️
Thank you for reading and commenting. Our relationship has been up and down but thankful for where we are now. 🦋
Oh, that's super great! Good for them, and good for you!
Thanks for reading. It’s been a journey to get to this place for sure. 🦋
Came out of a Substack dry spell to write about grief, memory, and the movie My Old Ass this week: https://bridcro.substack.com/p/summer-break-with-my-18-year-old
Thanks so much for this wonderful community!
You’re welcome! And good for you for getting out of a dry spell!
I wrote about how giving yourself permission to be terrible is the secret to actually starting.
https://katherinelibonate.substack.com/p/permission-to-be-terrible-at-something
Very useful! And well-written. Thank you for sharing!
I wrote about moving into my first apartment after college almost 20 years ago and how that year was a liminal space between adolescence and adulthood. I was not yet a mom, doctor, cancer patient, wife. I was just a kid living with her friends in Brooklyn and having the time of my life.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgetgodwinmd/p/introducing-strawberries-of-summer?r=g11cp&utm_medium=ios
I'm struggling with some big things right now, so I'm hoping small changes (like a 5k fun-run) will feel satisfactory and help with my depression and self-esteem...
https://open.substack.com/pub/jaimeekosanke/p/sweating-through-the-small-stuff?r=19jxel&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I love that you're doing this! I have two friends with some mental health struggles, and I support them as best I can (I've learned how to do that), but I really wish they'd do something like this for themselves. <3
I hope they find a way! Just completed my 4th run this morning. Thank you Erica
Enjoyed reading this piece, Jaimee.
Thank you Vanessa!
I reposted a piece from my archive this week. It’s a small story, about my travels as a free range child. I hope you’ll let it take you away from current events.
https://modernstrength.substack.com/p/from-the-archive-the-four-little
What a wonderful escape you led me on! I love the idea of the compass as a prompt tied to a specific place or memory.
Thank you, Jaimee. :0)
That was fun! I can picture everything.
And I agree with you: the world has likely not changed--in fact, as far as snatching kids goes, it's actually a lot better--but the reason we think it's more dangerous is because we know more. (I did research about this when I had small kids.)
Erica, thank you, and I’m glad you had fun.
I shared a piece about losing my dad to dementia, the odd things I kept after he was gone, and how Father’s Day impacted grief. I wrote it 3 years ago, but just shared it on Substack now.
https://open.substack.com/pub/carolbainadler/p/first-fathers-day-without-him?r=1i7tuo&utm_medium=
A beautiful post. I can relate to so much.
I relate to so much of your piece, Carol, almost one year out from losing my Dad. And I enjoyed hearing about your father, especially the wilderness trips. I feel like I know a little bit of him through your words.
Thank you. I’m sorry for the loss of your dad too.
I’ve started posting a chapter a week of my novel. It’s a slow, languid portrait of a community set in summer. Just practicing sharing my words.
https://substack.com/@jessicamhenderson?r=2jarp6&utm_medium=ios
I'm serializing my memoir this year, so I totally understand! It is scary!
Working on a humor piece reviewing the first half of 2025. I'm wading back into funny (or, at least, funny-ish) waters. Also worked out a thorny plot problem in my novel.
I hope you share it here when you're done. I write humor, as well, and it would be great to read more on Substack. It's challenging to find ~ it feels like either it has to be 100% comedy or it's not. What has been your experience?
I've had a similar experience. It's hard to write/find "humor +" on Substack, where the "+" is "not so much with the funny on this one."
("Not so much with the funny on this one" is sadly my brand.)
"Not so much with the funny on this one" is sadly my brand. 👉But that was funny! 😁Thanks, Jackie.