This has been so hard for me, “Letting go became a theme long before I said it out loud. I stopped carrying relationships that required me to be the entire engine.” - but I’m making progress. I know a lot of of those people who do require me to be “the engine” are disappointed, but I’m learning to cope and take care of my fire first.
I loved this post. Especially that point about being seen as trying too hard. I've seen this (mostly Millennial) "so, I did a thing" energy become pervasive among some popular Substack writers whose work I really enjoy and I find it ever so off-putting.
No-one needs to know how much time someone spent editing a post, or how many hours of their lives were lost to Zoom calls with potential sponsors, but pretending an extremely successful enterprise was built ad-hoc post by ad-hoc post from beneath a sauna blanket is way more embarrassing than just admitting you made an effort. I can't help but feel like, for those creators, not having the protection of a marquee title brings the fear of having readers accurately judge their editorial decisions as their own, but I think that's so exciting! And brave! And I'd love to see more people take pride in that, as you have done.
Your response to the fires and the generosity you showed me after the fires is something I’ll carry with me always.
The Zara gift card you gave afforded me to buy my young son what he needed to thrive moving to NYC and completely rebuild our lives in a new climate with less than a moment’s notice.
And I wish more than anything that I can share my gratitude in a way that can ease your nervous system.
This has been so hard for me, “Letting go became a theme long before I said it out loud. I stopped carrying relationships that required me to be the entire engine.” - but I’m making progress. I know a lot of of those people who do require me to be “the engine” are disappointed, but I’m learning to cope and take care of my fire first.
I loved this post. Especially that point about being seen as trying too hard. I've seen this (mostly Millennial) "so, I did a thing" energy become pervasive among some popular Substack writers whose work I really enjoy and I find it ever so off-putting.
No-one needs to know how much time someone spent editing a post, or how many hours of their lives were lost to Zoom calls with potential sponsors, but pretending an extremely successful enterprise was built ad-hoc post by ad-hoc post from beneath a sauna blanket is way more embarrassing than just admitting you made an effort. I can't help but feel like, for those creators, not having the protection of a marquee title brings the fear of having readers accurately judge their editorial decisions as their own, but I think that's so exciting! And brave! And I'd love to see more people take pride in that, as you have done.
Relatable! Keep getting after it xx
Your response to the fires and the generosity you showed me after the fires is something I’ll carry with me always.
The Zara gift card you gave afforded me to buy my young son what he needed to thrive moving to NYC and completely rebuild our lives in a new climate with less than a moment’s notice.
And I wish more than anything that I can share my gratitude in a way that can ease your nervous system.
I love your shopping lists but I love this a thousand times more. Here’s to a beautiful 2026 x
So beautiful & relatable. I love your writing and consider you an (imaginary) friend x
I love this jess. so honest and real and cool. and inspiring. x