I'd love a prompt about facing the unexpected in midlife. Many of us find ourselves living a life that's very different from the one we'd envisioned and/or planned for.
Hi Jessica, It's great to hear 400 publications are in Midstack. I gave feedback on categories and have some thoughts on the organisation. I'll DM you.
The collaboration idea is great. A very simple other idea - 'a one-word prompt' and see how we interpret it. This way, we could link it to our respective publications or not. I love to read diverse perspectives.
I love the idea of a round-up!! As for weekly shares, this morning I published my 50th interview in Creative Reverberations. It's with Joy Clark, who performed and toured for many years with other artists, including Brandi Carlile and Allison Russell, and has now--at age 40--released her debut solo album. https://creativereverberations.substack.com/p/cr-050-singer-songwriter-joy-clark
That was my comment about old-school blogging and roundups - so glad it was helpful! I'd love to take part in this. I write about desire, intimacy, and sex in (queer) midlife and I'd love an opportunity to propose a prompt around the topic of sexual desire. There are so many myths and tropes about what happens to this part of us in midlife, and I'd love us to shine a light on them. In the meantime, my latest post explores the (re) emergence of my sexual self 8 months after hysterectomy: https://annasansom.substack.com/p/what-if-its-just-a-phase
Thank you so much for the idea! Yes, it was very helpful! I'll be sure to credit you in the future post. (I didn't want to tag you in this post without your permission.)
Love what you said about the community that formed (back in the day) with those roundup posts, too. I met some great bloggers that way. We all used to connect on Twitter... I am so grateful we have Substack as our alternative now!
Hi, all! This week's share is my reflections from walking around a key port city from the American Revolution at this particular point in our history. https://mo25.substack.com/p/revolution
I think it's wild that you're a former New Englander now in Western NY, and I'm a former Western NYer now in New England, and here we are! The magic of the internet!
Hi Jessica, could you say more about your definition of “women”? Is it inclusive of transwomen, non-binary folks, and people of other genders who identify on some level with womanhood? Thank you.
My post/essay this week is about my experience living on a psych unit for 2 months, 15 years ago. It was a challenging story to put out into the world, and I waited a long time to share it. The comments on the post were beautiful, and continued the conversation about being a patient, and the pros and cons of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). It's sad and hopeful at the same time and I think it's an important read. https://nantepper.com/p/its-shocking-just-shocking
This week I shared a post about commencement speeches and what I would value hearing from behind the podium in today's wobbly world. My fav? Get a master's degree in handling uncertainty! Boy howdy would that serve me in my life! How about you?
My latest post tells the story of the time the university I worked for unexpectedly changed my name in my email address and official documentation and how it compounded the identity crisis I was experiencing after finding out my dad wasn’t my biological father. https://writeoutofhiding.substack.com/p/a-rose-by-any-other-name
Hi! My most recent post is about re-meeting my mother wound as I mother my children. I write it as a middle aged mother as my path to motherhood was replete with loss and challenges (which I also write about). If you resonate with the topic of motherhood and loss, check it out 🩷. https://myerawaese.substack.com/p/there-is-no-expiry-date-to-a-mother
I just cross-posted an old piece, "Midlife on the Beach." I'm planning a beach trip and here comes the old, irritating narrative about the beach body. This essay reminds us to fall in love with ourselves. We're all we've got!
For a writing prompt, maybe something about lessons learned in midlife. For this week’s share, I wrote about how gratitude changed my attitude.
https://open.substack.com/pub/distractedbyprettythings/p/my-attitude-is-oprahs-fault?r=43tgx8&utm_medium=ios
I like this idea for a prompt! Thanks!
I'd love a prompt about facing the unexpected in midlife. Many of us find ourselves living a life that's very different from the one we'd envisioned and/or planned for.
Love this idea too!
Yes! This weekend I consoled a friend whose husband of more than 25 years walked out on her...not the future she envisioned for sure...
Oof. That's a tough reality to face (but I know more than one woman who's been in that position.)
Hi Jessica, It's great to hear 400 publications are in Midstack. I gave feedback on categories and have some thoughts on the organisation. I'll DM you.
The collaboration idea is great. A very simple other idea - 'a one-word prompt' and see how we interpret it. This way, we could link it to our respective publications or not. I love to read diverse perspectives.
E.g. Misperception
This week is Carers Week in the UK #CaringAboutEquality. The Carers UK Report published on Monday highlighted many inequalities including how carers deprioritise their own care: https://www.carersweek.org/media/qxnkcnn0/carers-week-report-2025-web_small.pdf
The day before, I published this https://www.carermentor.com/p/this-caregivers-respite-and-review. I'd planned a few days away and invested in a 360 health check.
I also wanted to highlight the inequalities faced by Young Carers who are often overlooked. while our first instinct is to remove their need to care, this is their biggest fear. Understanding how young carers see themselves, how they feel and what they need is essential given the lack of social care support today. https://www.carermentor.com/p/inequalities-faced-by-young-carers?r=a9y7d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I'll be writing a round-up of articles from the week.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the directory's organization! And the one-word prompt idea is brilliant. Thanks!
I love the idea of a round-up!! As for weekly shares, this morning I published my 50th interview in Creative Reverberations. It's with Joy Clark, who performed and toured for many years with other artists, including Brandi Carlile and Allison Russell, and has now--at age 40--released her debut solo album. https://creativereverberations.substack.com/p/cr-050-singer-songwriter-joy-clark
Great interview Sandra!
Thanks for introducing me to the music of Joy Clark!
Enjoy! She's fantastic!
That was my comment about old-school blogging and roundups - so glad it was helpful! I'd love to take part in this. I write about desire, intimacy, and sex in (queer) midlife and I'd love an opportunity to propose a prompt around the topic of sexual desire. There are so many myths and tropes about what happens to this part of us in midlife, and I'd love us to shine a light on them. In the meantime, my latest post explores the (re) emergence of my sexual self 8 months after hysterectomy: https://annasansom.substack.com/p/what-if-its-just-a-phase
Thank you so much for the idea! Yes, it was very helpful! I'll be sure to credit you in the future post. (I didn't want to tag you in this post without your permission.)
Love what you said about the community that formed (back in the day) with those roundup posts, too. I met some great bloggers that way. We all used to connect on Twitter... I am so grateful we have Substack as our alternative now!
Hi, all! This week's share is my reflections from walking around a key port city from the American Revolution at this particular point in our history. https://mo25.substack.com/p/revolution
As a former New Englander who taught US History to middle schoolers for over a decade, I love this post!
I think it's wild that you're a former New Englander now in Western NY, and I'm a former Western NYer now in New England, and here we are! The magic of the internet!
Hi Jessica, could you say more about your definition of “women”? Is it inclusive of transwomen, non-binary folks, and people of other genders who identify on some level with womanhood? Thank you.
Thank you for asking! We are definitely inclusive of transwomen and non-binary folks and those who identify as women!
My post/essay this week is about my experience living on a psych unit for 2 months, 15 years ago. It was a challenging story to put out into the world, and I waited a long time to share it. The comments on the post were beautiful, and continued the conversation about being a patient, and the pros and cons of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). It's sad and hopeful at the same time and I think it's an important read. https://nantepper.com/p/its-shocking-just-shocking
Hi everyone. I have been following this Substack for a while but have only recently been feeling ready to write again. I write about my experience as a mother to a three neurodivergent kids, one of whom has a rare pediatric cancer, and how my writing fiction, CNF, and essays has fit (and not) in. My recent post is https://open.substack.com/pub/erinlunde/p/summer-questions-summer-volume-our?r=755l&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Welcome to Midstack, Erin! And thank you for sharing your post with us. So many vivid details. Beautiful.
I wrote about the books I’ve loved so far this year:
https://open.substack.com/pub/megansvos/p/the-books-i-couldnt-put-down-this-382?r=a26sd&utm_medium=ios
This week I shared a post about commencement speeches and what I would value hearing from behind the podium in today's wobbly world. My fav? Get a master's degree in handling uncertainty! Boy howdy would that serve me in my life! How about you?
https://readwriteeat.substack.com/p/upon-commencing
Natalie -- I loved your post. Your George Saunders quote about kindness is what I wrote in my niece's graduation card (and my journal).
Your niece is so lucky to have you!! Thank you for reading and for letting me know!
I love the blogging roundup idea!
Wonderful! Stay tuned!
will do!
When your creative identity shifts and you need to rewrite the narrative:
https://open.substack.com/pub/createmefree/p/creative-identity-in-crisis-rebuilding
Needed to read this today!
Love the prompt plus round up idea!
My latest post tells the story of the time the university I worked for unexpectedly changed my name in my email address and official documentation and how it compounded the identity crisis I was experiencing after finding out my dad wasn’t my biological father. https://writeoutofhiding.substack.com/p/a-rose-by-any-other-name
Found you here, Tracey, when you see my comment. Rich and complicated essay.
Thanks, Lani!
Hi! My most recent post is about re-meeting my mother wound as I mother my children. I write it as a middle aged mother as my path to motherhood was replete with loss and challenges (which I also write about). If you resonate with the topic of motherhood and loss, check it out 🩷. https://myerawaese.substack.com/p/there-is-no-expiry-date-to-a-mother
Love the idea of a prompt!
I just cross-posted an old piece, "Midlife on the Beach." I'm planning a beach trip and here comes the old, irritating narrative about the beach body. This essay reminds us to fall in love with ourselves. We're all we've got!
https://open.substack.com/pub/longmiddle/p/midlife-on-the-beach?r=j2fm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Your details bring beauty to our perceived imperfections. Love it, Lisa.
Thanks! 😊