You write beautifully with such sensitivity, humour and thoughtfulness. You've made me miss writing personal essays. My fluid pisces applaud your steely gemini! :-)
Aw, thank you, Katia! That means so much to hear from you. I had a good time writing this one and just allowing the associations to go where they went. And for sure, my little air sign has taught me so much. ♊︎
I understand, that's how I've approached it too. Just "freestyling" and connecting with a stream of consciousness and associations. I look forward to reading more.
I love this opportunity to share and support. Thank you Jessica for organizing it.
This week, I published an essay about how the trend toward mid-life women is to not color their hair, rather letting their natural gray grow out. However, there are some of us who still want to color our hair and we shouldn't be judged for doing so. I interspersed the Women's Movement from the 1970s into the piece to make the statement that we are all sisters regardless of our hair choices.
I loved your take on this topic. I briefly considered allowing my grays to "blend" with my colour, since I've been feeling a certain "home hair dye ritual" fatigue, but I've never given it a try. I think a lot about the topic of the pursuit of beauty perceived by many as vanity. I thought of it more in the context of fashion and realized that for me it's an attempt to restore harmony. Not trying to say that we aren't allowed to just want to feel pretty (I want that!), just trying to amplify your idea. I loved the analogy with the bra burning movement of the 60s. I find that a lot of well-intentioned and just ideas are being instilled in very non-thoughtful or gentle ways. This was a really interesting contemplation.
As a dye-hard (get it?) redhead from a box, I love this! When I tried to grow my hair out, I looked like calico cat-red, gray, and dark brown. I felt like a cast member from Cats. It wasn't pretty!
“what empowers me is my ability to make my own choices, to stand up for myself, and to truly be an independent contributing member of society.” LOVE this. Especially in this moment when so many choices have been taken from us. 🫶🏽
Today I wrote about what to do when your newsletter suddenly grows by a few thousand readers. (This is a true story! And happens more often than I can keep track of on Substack!)
That fast growth can seem like a dream, but the reality is there’s a lot of strategic shifts that come into play in order for the influx of readers to not also create a big mess of notifications and confusion. I hope it’s helpful. 🫶
I read this first thing this morning! What a story! I loved this. Thank you for writing about this topic. I don't see it discussed in a useful way enough. This (on a bit smaller scale) happened when I first published the Midstack Directory after writing on Midstory Magazine for a year, and it sort of went viral-ish with hundreds of new subscribers, and I was completely flummoxed. Wish I'd had these insights then!
I always feel so torn on whether to congratulate people when they have a huge viral Notes or Substack story. Because I know what’s coming next … your relationship with your work, your readers and your working systems is about to undergo BIG changes too! It’s a huge time of celebration and also tons of questions. I’m glad my essay could help a bit now and I’m glad we’re connected now. What did you do to navigate everything?
I'm glad we're connected too! When it was clear that there was a lot of interest and so many new subscribers, I did a few surveys of our new audience and found out what they said they wanted, which was mostly opportunities to connect with other midlife writers. So I began hosting the monthly Midstack meetups and posting share threads. Still not sure what the way forward for sustainable growth is though....
Love these weekly shares. I find so many new (to me) voices. This week I wrote about living with dissociation, on top of the alcoholic blackouts I had for years. Days, weeks would just disappear and I was left to recreate my life from the evidence: calendars, journals, diaries, ATM receipts. All of it going back to 4th grade. BLINK: And Everything Disappears
Thanks for making this a weekly share for us Jessica! Much appreciated
This week, I wrote: 'How to close patient-doctor disconnects.' Building our language/questions to feel like we've done our best to advocate for ourselves AND improve our chances of being heard in a medical consultation.
On the heels of International Women’s Day, I was inspired to write about the meaning of the rally cry - ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ and how it relates to the current Venus retrograde and the challenges we are facing as Women today.
I wrote an essay this week about how I cared for my father the night before he died. Thank you so much for adding an opportunity for us to share our work!
I wrote about my ongoing struggle with brain fog during perimenopause and how, because there's no definitive test for perimenopause and so little awareness about its symptoms, many of us are left piecing the puzzle pieces together ourselves.
I wrote about the rage response I inherited from an explosive dad and how it really pissed me off. But also about forgiveness, growth and appliance shopping.
I have been at such a loss in these crazy times for what to write on Substack. Nothing feels worthy of the page space when the world is in such upheaval. Why would my thoughts matter? Today, I wrote about that, and the power of smiling as a neurological defense in strange times.
And, I wrote a microflash sex scene for a writing class that doesn't use the word sex at all. I used to hate writing sex scenes because they seemed so canned and trite. But I've found that writing them at middle age gives them a whole new dynamic. Much more fun.
I'm often feeling this way too: "Nothing feels worthy of the page space when the world is in such upheaval. Why would my thoughts matter?" It's a tough new reality. Thank you for sharing your piece and for being here.
Hi everyone, thank you for the opportunity to share 😊 here’s my essay from this week.
It’s about how to self regulate so that we don’t attach ourselves to external highs or lows. Finding your baseline in order to move through steady. There’s an audio to help you when you next hit your yoga mat! Namaste Tracey Xx
Welcome to our Midstack community! We're midlife women writing on Substack. Have you submitted your Substack to our directory? https://tally.so/r/3qOJ12
I agree with Bridget. The generosity of spirit of the women who run Midstack is matched only by what I experienced in Mo'orea. I wrote a substack piece this week about that: https://alifeunpacked.substack.com/p/postcard-from-moorea
I wrote a note this week resharing an older post called Mental Health Reasons I May Not Read Your Writing … And Please Write It Anyway
I find it helpful to reshare it periodically ad a reminder/inspiration to anyone feeling sad about lack of likes/comments/engagement/subscribers. It’s usually not about you. And your work still matters.
Oh my gosh, Sasha - read, restacked, saved & shared with Jody Day because your article and hers are deeply resonant. Thank you for gifting us a tribute to Mary and your friendship.❤️
Look forward to reading some good stuff here. I wrote about “career” options. Just one of my regularly scheduled existential crises that I don’t know what to do with my life at the age of 47.
I truly appreciate these opportunities to share. Thank you so much for this community, Jessica!
I wrote this long, meandering essay about everything that came up for me when my daughter got a splinter last week. It was sort of a journey 😂.
https://bridcro.substack.com/p/you-are-the-boss-of-your-body
Very powerful piece. Glad you shared. <3
Thank you so much, Kathryn! I appreciate that. 💚
I love a good meander. A wonderful story that illustrates the "my body, my choice" beyond just reproductive rights.
Thank you, Laura! And yes...it really is so layered, right? The kids have given me a great laboratory for all this. Appreciate you reading it! 💚
You write beautifully with such sensitivity, humour and thoughtfulness. You've made me miss writing personal essays. My fluid pisces applaud your steely gemini! :-)
Aw, thank you, Katia! That means so much to hear from you. I had a good time writing this one and just allowing the associations to go where they went. And for sure, my little air sign has taught me so much. ♊︎
I understand, that's how I've approached it too. Just "freestyling" and connecting with a stream of consciousness and associations. I look forward to reading more.
I love this opportunity to share and support. Thank you Jessica for organizing it.
This week, I published an essay about how the trend toward mid-life women is to not color their hair, rather letting their natural gray grow out. However, there are some of us who still want to color our hair and we shouldn't be judged for doing so. I interspersed the Women's Movement from the 1970s into the piece to make the statement that we are all sisters regardless of our hair choices.
https://open.substack.com/pub/rhondasmusings/p/dont-judge-me-for-my-hair-color?r=2w1efc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks for writing about this! It's a topic I've thought a lot about, as someone who has tried (unsuccessfully) growing out my gray multiple times.
I loved your take on this topic. I briefly considered allowing my grays to "blend" with my colour, since I've been feeling a certain "home hair dye ritual" fatigue, but I've never given it a try. I think a lot about the topic of the pursuit of beauty perceived by many as vanity. I thought of it more in the context of fashion and realized that for me it's an attempt to restore harmony. Not trying to say that we aren't allowed to just want to feel pretty (I want that!), just trying to amplify your idea. I loved the analogy with the bra burning movement of the 60s. I find that a lot of well-intentioned and just ideas are being instilled in very non-thoughtful or gentle ways. This was a really interesting contemplation.
Thanks for your comments. I am so glad my piece resonated with you.
As a dye-hard (get it?) redhead from a box, I love this! When I tried to grow my hair out, I looked like calico cat-red, gray, and dark brown. I felt like a cast member from Cats. It wasn't pretty!
“what empowers me is my ability to make my own choices, to stand up for myself, and to truly be an independent contributing member of society.” LOVE this. Especially in this moment when so many choices have been taken from us. 🫶🏽
So true!
Today I wrote about what to do when your newsletter suddenly grows by a few thousand readers. (This is a true story! And happens more often than I can keep track of on Substack!)
That fast growth can seem like a dream, but the reality is there’s a lot of strategic shifts that come into play in order for the influx of readers to not also create a big mess of notifications and confusion. I hope it’s helpful. 🫶
https://open.substack.com/pub/theeditingspectrum/p/what-would-you-do-with-2500-new-subscribers?r=4i32v&utm_medium=ios
I read this first thing this morning! What a story! I loved this. Thank you for writing about this topic. I don't see it discussed in a useful way enough. This (on a bit smaller scale) happened when I first published the Midstack Directory after writing on Midstory Magazine for a year, and it sort of went viral-ish with hundreds of new subscribers, and I was completely flummoxed. Wish I'd had these insights then!
I always feel so torn on whether to congratulate people when they have a huge viral Notes or Substack story. Because I know what’s coming next … your relationship with your work, your readers and your working systems is about to undergo BIG changes too! It’s a huge time of celebration and also tons of questions. I’m glad my essay could help a bit now and I’m glad we’re connected now. What did you do to navigate everything?
I'm glad we're connected too! When it was clear that there was a lot of interest and so many new subscribers, I did a few surveys of our new audience and found out what they said they wanted, which was mostly opportunities to connect with other midlife writers. So I began hosting the monthly Midstack meetups and posting share threads. Still not sure what the way forward for sustainable growth is though....
Looking forward to reading it.
Love these weekly shares. I find so many new (to me) voices. This week I wrote about living with dissociation, on top of the alcoholic blackouts I had for years. Days, weeks would just disappear and I was left to recreate my life from the evidence: calendars, journals, diaries, ATM receipts. All of it going back to 4th grade. BLINK: And Everything Disappears
https://jdoff.substack.com/p/blink
Loved this, Jodi.
Thanks for reading, bridget!
Thanks for making this a weekly share for us Jessica! Much appreciated
This week, I wrote: 'How to close patient-doctor disconnects.' Building our language/questions to feel like we've done our best to advocate for ourselves AND improve our chances of being heard in a medical consultation.
https://www.carermentor.com/p/how-to-close-patient-doctor-disconnects
Highlighting a newspaper article by Katie Strick and my personal experience.
On the heels of International Women’s Day, I was inspired to write about the meaning of the rally cry - ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ and how it relates to the current Venus retrograde and the challenges we are facing as Women today.
https://open.substack.com/pub/midliferenaissance/p/the-rebirth-of-venus?r=4p2scj&utm_medium=ios
I wrote an essay this week about how I cared for my father the night before he died. Thank you so much for adding an opportunity for us to share our work!
https://nantepper.com/p/his-last-night
Thanks, Jessica, for making this weekly.
I wrote about my ongoing struggle with brain fog during perimenopause and how, because there's no definitive test for perimenopause and so little awareness about its symptoms, many of us are left piecing the puzzle pieces together ourselves.
https://www.almostsated.com/p/the-brain-fog-slog
I wrote about the rage response I inherited from an explosive dad and how it really pissed me off. But also about forgiveness, growth and appliance shopping.
https://open.substack.com/pub/distractedbyprettythings/p/rage-rage-go-away?r=43tgx8&utm_medium=ios
Ooo, this sounds great! Just saved to read at the weekend 👍🥰
Thank you!
I have been at such a loss in these crazy times for what to write on Substack. Nothing feels worthy of the page space when the world is in such upheaval. Why would my thoughts matter? Today, I wrote about that, and the power of smiling as a neurological defense in strange times.
ingridwagnerwalsh.substack.com
And, I wrote a microflash sex scene for a writing class that doesn't use the word sex at all. I used to hate writing sex scenes because they seemed so canned and trite. But I've found that writing them at middle age gives them a whole new dynamic. Much more fun.
I'm often feeling this way too: "Nothing feels worthy of the page space when the world is in such upheaval. Why would my thoughts matter?" It's a tough new reality. Thank you for sharing your piece and for being here.
Hi everyone, thank you for the opportunity to share 😊 here’s my essay from this week.
It’s about how to self regulate so that we don’t attach ourselves to external highs or lows. Finding your baseline in order to move through steady. There’s an audio to help you when you next hit your yoga mat! Namaste Tracey Xx
https://traceyfenner.substack.com/p/move-through-steady
Hi Tracey, just saved this to read/listen at the weekend - Sounds great! 👍
Thank you Eva, enjoy your weekend 😊
If you saw my note about my mentally ill sister yesterday, you know I needed this! Thank you.
I’ve just read your note about your sister, I must have missed it yesterday. I’ve left a comment for you there. Sending my ❤️
I’m new here and still trying to find my feet but I’ve started my Substack A Year of Jane Austen which is here.
https://eastondrive.substack.com/p/sense-and-sensibility-analysis-part?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link
Welcome to our Midstack community! We're midlife women writing on Substack. Have you submitted your Substack to our directory? https://tally.so/r/3qOJ12
No I haven’t. I’ll do that now. Thank you.
I agree with Bridget. The generosity of spirit of the women who run Midstack is matched only by what I experienced in Mo'orea. I wrote a substack piece this week about that: https://alifeunpacked.substack.com/p/postcard-from-moorea
You truly are building a community here.
Oh, thanks so much, Kaarin! I am so glad that you're such a part of this community.
I wrote a note this week resharing an older post called Mental Health Reasons I May Not Read Your Writing … And Please Write It Anyway
I find it helpful to reshare it periodically ad a reminder/inspiration to anyone feeling sad about lack of likes/comments/engagement/subscribers. It’s usually not about you. And your work still matters.
Here’s the note:
https://substack.com/@createmefree/note/c-99918292
I really liked that post, and commented there that I appreciate it both as a writer and also a reader. <3
Such an important topic Kathryn. Thanks for opening that space.
Thank you for this invitation! I wrote the story of an intergenerational friendship - https://dementiasdaughter.substack.com/p/the-engine-of-survival
Oh my gosh, Sasha - read, restacked, saved & shared with Jody Day because your article and hers are deeply resonant. Thank you for gifting us a tribute to Mary and your friendship.❤️
saving to read this weekend!
Ha, I read that as soon as it came out and loved it!
Look forward to reading some good stuff here. I wrote about “career” options. Just one of my regularly scheduled existential crises that I don’t know what to do with my life at the age of 47.
https://open.substack.com/pub/gatesj/p/so-what-really-happens-next?r=nnw7b&utm_medium=ios
You are right where you need to be. I just turned 59 and am still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up.
Same ::Raises hand and waves wildly::