Hi all, Hope everyone had a great week. This week's post was the bravest one I've ever written and published. It's about stepping away from the toxic relationship I have with my almost 87 year old mother. This is the culmination of years of trying to heal a very dysfunctional mother/daughter situation. It doesn't work if only one person is doing the work. Thanks for this opportunity to share here. https://nantepper.com/p/youre-not-my-mother
I wrote an entirely unnecessary midyear holiday card chronicling the "heroic" moments (by which I mean small disasters and small triumphs) of the last six months of my life alongside the general decline of civilization. It's a humor piece.
I'm so glad I read this today! This was hilarious, and I so relate to the part about the lemons, which I actually had to throw out last night, because one got moldy. I just subscribed. Happy Beatles to you too!
"The 2025 bar was low, but with the grit of the truly uninspired, we limboed beneath it with room to spare." Never a truer word was written. Thanks for the laugh!
I am a pediatrician, policy expert, and mother. I write about every day advocacy aimed to improve the world for our kids. This week I wrote about how attending the No Kings protest in rural Texas with my young daughters, changed my perspective on this form of advocacy.
I too protested in Texas, although in a big city rather than rural small town. I didn’t feel the earth shift that day, but it was lovely and uplifting to be surrounded by so many likeminded people (thousands where I was). Especially when our state is so maddeningly backwards. Shadow of hope sounds like a wonderful way to think of it.
Powerful piece. Fellow Texan here (I live outside of Austin). It's safe to say your decision to attend that rally will forever impact your children and what it means for them to stand up for what they believe in.
It's been a rare, productive week! I wrote about menopause in the workplace for Substack. An epic office meltdown 8 years ago was the catalyst for my decision to leave corporate life. https://catherinehpalmer.substack.com/p/meno-at-work
I dipped back into freelancing with an 800-word piece to AARP's The Ethel titled "Why I Schedule Sex" (scheduled for Aug or Sept issue). And, finished a "Frankenstein" draft of my memoir, which I am now putting through a reverse outlining process -- my "darlings" are dropping like flies.
Really great piece. Both my parents died of lung cancer after decades of heavy smoking. (So did my dad's mom, and my mom's mom.) I feel every word of this.
This week, I wrote about what it means to stop shrinking (physically, emotionally) and to finally step into strength. It’s personal, but it’s also about a much bigger shift I see happening among midlife women.
This was so good. I really needed to read it today. I'm 50, post-menopause and gently coming to terms with my body as is. Right now. And all the beautiful things it's done and IS doing.
I wrote about how we often think creativity is a solo thing and romanticize the idea of going to a room to write alone but truly it’s a relational thing that thrives in community.
I wrote Chapter Nine of my first novel-in-progress, which I began posting on Substack in January. This, my second Substack publication, is called Before the Bad, which is also the novel's title for now. It's heavy on dialogue, light on description and character's thoughts, and concerns the forces of religion and narcissism with, I hope, realism and humor.
I wrote about the need to remember that "how things are" is actually "how things have been made"--which means they can be re-made in new and better ways. That's a particularly important piece of hopefulness for caregivers in the U.S., currently living their daily lives without much support.
Hi all! So many wonderful posts I just read. Thank you all for sharing. I took last week off from publishing a post, but I'm doing a 100 days of Notes challenge (for myself). I shared this poem the other day: https://substack.com/@vanessanwright/note/c-129039548
After yet another uninspiring visit to a healthcare provider, I published this one: Mainstream Medicine Needs to Improve Its Relationship with Midlife Women. I love the conversation it has spurred. It's unfortunate so many of us have lackluster experiences with healthcare, but there's also comfort that it's not just me.
This week I wrote about our acquisitive tendencies - find another podcast, get another book, buy another black shirt, make more friends - and why we don’t look more deeply at the things we already have.
What’s on the bottom of the pile? Probably something beloved and cool, but who can tell?
Thank you for hosting this space Jessica. I am always able to find a few engaging publications :)
This week was productive in that I was able to publish a few pieces, I am hopeful to keep up the momentum but you know LIFE ;)
I began the serialized release of my first novel on The Reviewblr's Storytime Sunday. It is story steeped in Caribbean folklore and I think it can capture the imagination... The prologue and Chapter one was released on SUnday with Chapters 2 and 3 scheduled for this coming Sunday...
I also started the discourse on Intuition on my second publication De-Stigma Dialogues and posted the first book club selection with discussion guide...
I wrote about what has been like for me when the people I love have started to feel like strangers. The dynamics of transitioning away from the adult/child relationship into the adult/adult relationships and how I must create my way back to myself.
I'm new here, new to writing, and a little bit anxious to share but happy to learn and grow. Thanks for this space. :)
Hi all, Hope everyone had a great week. This week's post was the bravest one I've ever written and published. It's about stepping away from the toxic relationship I have with my almost 87 year old mother. This is the culmination of years of trying to heal a very dysfunctional mother/daughter situation. It doesn't work if only one person is doing the work. Thanks for this opportunity to share here. https://nantepper.com/p/youre-not-my-mother
I commented on your essay. Thank you for sharing your truth Nan
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it. xo
It's brave, human, compassionate, and so well articulated, Nan!
xoxo
Thank you, Victoria. xo
Nan, I read your piece yesterday. It's so powerful and brave. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you, Nicole. It was a little scary hitting the "publish" button. I'm glad I did. xo
I wrote an entirely unnecessary midyear holiday card chronicling the "heroic" moments (by which I mean small disasters and small triumphs) of the last six months of my life alongside the general decline of civilization. It's a humor piece.
https://jackiepick.substack.com/p/please-enjoy-this-holiday-card?r=mlym
Once again, your writing is pitch perfect and does not disappoint.
Oh, thank you! <3
I'm so glad I read this today! This was hilarious, and I so relate to the part about the lemons, which I actually had to throw out last night, because one got moldy. I just subscribed. Happy Beatles to you too!
Why are the lemons so quick to surrender?!!!
Thanks for reading!
I will be adopting your practice of "seasonal repositioning." Love it.
"The 2025 bar was low, but with the grit of the truly uninspired, we limboed beneath it with room to spare." Never a truer word was written. Thanks for the laugh!
This sounds amazing. Can't wait to read!
This was hilarious!! Absolutely loved your take on this year thus far... already subscribed and looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, Tamara! <3
Jackie, your piece is a excellent!
I LOVE a holiday newsletter! On my way to read it now.
So clever! I really enjoyed reading it.
I am a pediatrician, policy expert, and mother. I write about every day advocacy aimed to improve the world for our kids. This week I wrote about how attending the No Kings protest in rural Texas with my young daughters, changed my perspective on this form of advocacy.
https://substack.com/@someoneshoulddosomething/note/p-166675022?r=1fk4t&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Powerful. And yes thank you for adding your voice.
Thank you for adding your voice. As policy actively ignores science, being informed and loud is critical!
Talk out LOUD!!!
I too protested in Texas, although in a big city rather than rural small town. I didn’t feel the earth shift that day, but it was lovely and uplifting to be surrounded by so many likeminded people (thousands where I was). Especially when our state is so maddeningly backwards. Shadow of hope sounds like a wonderful way to think of it.
Powerful piece. Fellow Texan here (I live outside of Austin). It's safe to say your decision to attend that rally will forever impact your children and what it means for them to stand up for what they believe in.
Thank you so much for reading!
It's been a rare, productive week! I wrote about menopause in the workplace for Substack. An epic office meltdown 8 years ago was the catalyst for my decision to leave corporate life. https://catherinehpalmer.substack.com/p/meno-at-work
I dipped back into freelancing with an 800-word piece to AARP's The Ethel titled "Why I Schedule Sex" (scheduled for Aug or Sept issue). And, finished a "Frankenstein" draft of my memoir, which I am now putting through a reverse outlining process -- my "darlings" are dropping like flies.
I wrote about leading a more creative midlife and incorporating creative play without the pressure of making something that's "good". 😊 https://open.substack.com/pub/revelandverve/p/leading-a-creative-midlife
For me, creativity is spirituality. Can't imagine my life without it! And creative people have always been my favorite people.
It's like your quoting my Life Wizard, who urged me to explore and play without an agenda. Great advice! Still working on it. 😜
An essay on a lovely book by Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux
The Art Of Writing Trauma: Happening by Annie Ernaux
https://open.substack.com/pub/bukus/p/art-of-trauma-in-annie-ernauxs-happening?r=9brcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I wrote a hate letter this week, and it was very cathartic. Highly recommend.
https://open.substack.com/pub/distractedbyprettythings/p/a-hate-letter?r=43tgx8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Really great piece. Both my parents died of lung cancer after decades of heavy smoking. (So did my dad's mom, and my mom's mom.) I feel every word of this.
Oh I’m so sorry. That’s a really awful legacy to endure.
Great piece, Leslie.
Thank you Nicole!
Great piece, Leslie. Thank you. I commented on it there. xo
Thanks Nan!
Ooh yes
This week, I wrote about what it means to stop shrinking (physically, emotionally) and to finally step into strength. It’s personal, but it’s also about a much bigger shift I see happening among midlife women.
https://www.almostsated.com/p/women-are-finally-entering-their-thor-era
This was so good. I really needed to read it today. I'm 50, post-menopause and gently coming to terms with my body as is. Right now. And all the beautiful things it's done and IS doing.
Ohhhhh.... I like "inner God of Thunder". And I always relate to and appreciate what you write.
I wrote about how we often think creativity is a solo thing and romanticize the idea of going to a room to write alone but truly it’s a relational thing that thrives in community.
https://open.substack.com/pub/createmefree/p/the-myth-of-the-lone-genius-relational
I wrote Chapter Nine of my first novel-in-progress, which I began posting on Substack in January. This, my second Substack publication, is called Before the Bad, which is also the novel's title for now. It's heavy on dialogue, light on description and character's thoughts, and concerns the forces of religion and narcissism with, I hope, realism and humor.
https://becklesjm.substack.com/p/before-the-bad-chapter-nine
I wrote about the need to remember that "how things are" is actually "how things have been made"--which means they can be re-made in new and better ways. That's a particularly important piece of hopefulness for caregivers in the U.S., currently living their daily lives without much support.
https://msmiddler.substack.com/p/imagine
I hear you, Pam. A good piece. I feel the same for the UK, despite what I read daily and the upcoming government vote on 'reforming' welfare benefits.
Hi all! So many wonderful posts I just read. Thank you all for sharing. I took last week off from publishing a post, but I'm doing a 100 days of Notes challenge (for myself). I shared this poem the other day: https://substack.com/@vanessanwright/note/c-129039548
After yet another uninspiring visit to a healthcare provider, I published this one: Mainstream Medicine Needs to Improve Its Relationship with Midlife Women. I love the conversation it has spurred. It's unfortunate so many of us have lackluster experiences with healthcare, but there's also comfort that it's not just me.
Thank you!
https://open.substack.com/pub/midlifegrowthedge/p/mainstream-medicine-needs-to-improve?r=11s0ba&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
This week I wrote about our acquisitive tendencies - find another podcast, get another book, buy another black shirt, make more friends - and why we don’t look more deeply at the things we already have.
What’s on the bottom of the pile? Probably something beloved and cool, but who can tell?
Get Another Thing and Throw It on the Pile:
https://open.substack.com/pub/thisisniceforus/p/get-another-thing-and-throw-it-on?r=am2eq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Loved your piece. So relatable!
Thank you for hosting this space Jessica. I am always able to find a few engaging publications :)
This week was productive in that I was able to publish a few pieces, I am hopeful to keep up the momentum but you know LIFE ;)
I began the serialized release of my first novel on The Reviewblr's Storytime Sunday. It is story steeped in Caribbean folklore and I think it can capture the imagination... The prologue and Chapter one was released on SUnday with Chapters 2 and 3 scheduled for this coming Sunday...
https://tamarafoster.substack.com/p/when-douens-dance
I also started the discourse on Intuition on my second publication De-Stigma Dialogues and posted the first book club selection with discussion guide...
https://destigmadialogues.substack.com/p/can-you-hear-yours
https://destigmadialogues.substack.com/p/a-simple-favor-by-darcey-bell
Looking forward to discovering more pubs and hopefully something I posted resonates with someone.
Happy FRi-YAY
Love your piece on intuition! Let’s all lean into our knowing and our witchiness!
Thank you Holly! And yes indeed, I would say it is especially needed in this climate ☺️🌸
Hi everyone, I did write this week.
I wrote about what has been like for me when the people I love have started to feel like strangers. The dynamics of transitioning away from the adult/child relationship into the adult/adult relationships and how I must create my way back to myself.
I'm new here, new to writing, and a little bit anxious to share but happy to learn and grow. Thanks for this space. :)
https://thismidlifemosaic.substack.com/