Hello, internet
After a lengthy hiatus (or hermitage), I'm back online.
All the cool kids are on Substack and I’ve never liked being left out.
So when I left my career of fifteen years to take a sabbatical to read and write full-time, I knew I should make an account and get myself out there. I created a username. I entered a password. I confirmed the verification link in my email.
And then, I did nothing at all.
Why not?
Procrastination lurks behind a million-and-one excuses. Who has time to write every day?
Of course, the truth is that I do. I quit my job to thrust myself, pen-first, into full-time writing. If I’m not working on a project, why wouldn’t I use some of my writing time to connect with other readers and writers?
Okay, fine. So if I create a Substack, how would I narrow down my subject matter? Would I focus on reading and writing? My newfound passion for mocktails? The crippling anxiety of no longer being able to afford eggs as we live through the end days of a crumbling capitalistic society?
A review of my past online presence unearths a handful of orphaned blogs and social media accounts. It’s so boring to restrict content to a single subject matter.
How would I narrow down my interests to refine my content for this account?
I am a complex human being with many aspects of my personhood. I have a physical body, I have a mind with emotions, intellect, and curiosity, I have a spirit, for whatever that means to the non-religious. I am a member of many communities—whether by interest (usually wine and dogs), or profession (social work and, now, writing), or identity (as a cis, half-white/half-Latina and feminist). If I were to start afresh, I’d take a composite approach, creating space to delve into a range of topics and interests close to my heart (more on that below).
Another hurdle to overcome was (is) my own imposter syndrome. Would people make assumptions of why I left a job and career I love (present tense)? Would they judge me for flinging myself from the corporate ladder, only to get tangled in the bottom rung? Who’d want to listen to the rantings of a newly-unemployed nobody?
Maybe no one. Probably no one.
But maybe someone.
Why now?
This week, Cory Booker delivered an empassioned speech on the Senate floor, uplifting stories of everyday Americans who are worried about prosperity and security and their futures. 4am curiosity sent me to his TikTok where I watched until dawn’s first grey light. I felt the passion burning within him, and it spread like a wildfire, fanning a spark within me. If he can speak for 25 hours nonstop, surely I can overcome my own insecurities to post a silly blog.
Because there have to be other curious creatives out there. People looking for inspiration and motivation. People asking the same questions that weigh on my heart about life and career and purpose. People using art to make meaning of the chaos we’re living through. People with which to commisserate over the rejection that plagues every writer. People who celebrate the light and joy and laughter that comes with the darkness.
So enough internet skulking. Enough promising to join the conversation, one day. I’m here. I commit to showing up, writing daily (don’t worry, I’ll only post a few times a week—more on that next). I’ll play my role to build a community for accountability to consistantly. Let’s be curious together. Let’s practice empathy. Let’s embrace the world around us. Let’s use our creativity to challenge ourselves, to learn, to grow.
If you’re here, maybe you’ve thought about making a similar promise to yourself. That might be something we have in common.
My intentions/what you can expect
While this may change as I get into the rhythm of this thing, here’s my currently intended content. I wont post on every topic each week (no one wants to hear from me that often!), but I will cover each category at least once per month:
Mocktail Mondays: Same as Novel Spirits (see Saturday, below), but for the days we need to skip the alcohol content ;)
Social Justice Wednesdays: Reading opens a window to viewpoints I could have otherwise missed or misunderstood. Reading builds empathy, and I care to learn other people’s stories and better understand the world we live in. These are the same reasons I care about homelessness, the ongoing war in Gaza, “liberation” tariffs and their effect on the lowest earners in our community.
Inspiration Thursdays: I’ll share a creative writing prompt (either for theme, style, or story), as well as take a stab at the prompt. (side note: who’d be interested in a critique group/story swap?)
Novel Spirits (Saturdays): While the common convention for reading is to pair with a cozy cup of tea, I crave a bit more diversity. A tropical adventure is best enjoyed with a tiki drink in hand. A literary thriller ought to be paired with a brown liquor, and a gothic mystery, with red wine. Clearly, a steamy romance demands a spiced margarita. If you find your novels deserve a bit more of a punch in the palette, trust me: this is the series for you.
Rejuvination Sundays: After a busy week, it’s always important to indulge in some self-care and celebration. Whether it’s cuddling with the pups, pushing through a hike, or getting pampered at the spa, this corner is the space to relax, reflect, and rejuvinate.
Sound interesting? Subscribe below, join me on this journey. Let’s keep each other accountable as well-rounded creatives.
In community,
Laura