Vol. 77: New directions

When I wrote this in mylast edition:“I’m on the precipice of a new creative journey. It’s going to involve the newsletter, but it also may involve tinkering with new formats”, I didn't intend to manifestTinyLetter’s announcement that they are sunsetting. My words have power! TinyLetter has been such a fun, rewarding space for me to grow this newsletter from an intention to a community of over 1,000 people, and its demise is devastating. I’ll be finding a new home (likely Beehiiv or Substack), saving my 76 archives, and doing my best to serve as an emotional support newsletter friend toLeonorwho has372 archivesthat now need a new home (seriously, TinyLetter, WHY!). Keep all of us in your thoughts.

This isn’t my Official 2023 Year In Review Newsie just yet, but as I reflect back on the year, I found I’ve often felt “off routine” when I’m instead building new routines. My priorities are shifting; I haven’t yet figured out exactly where they’ll land. I’m reading less but doing more yoga and other fitness. I’m balancing a need for more sleep with a need to actually leave my house more days than not, to see friends, to be amongst people. I’m tempted to complete a time audit so I can better understand where my energy goes and prioritize accordingly. To be honest, I deleted TikTok off my phone in early November and I’ve since felt a lot more at peace with how I spend my days!

Finding a new newsletter platform is not a bump I anticipated as I continue this permanent climb of reestablishing consistency with my writing practice, but it tracks with this moment in my life where I’m trying to get a better grasp of how things have shifted for me over the past few years. Thanks for being along for the journey.

RIP, TinyLetter

I’ve put out a lot of pieces I’m proud of since I launched in 2021 so if you want to check them out before the archives are gone at the end of February, here are some links:

• Thoughts from a Queer COVID Bride

• My relationship to relationships: thoughts on friendship & justice

• Vol. 32: Privacy & the parasocial

• Vol. 55: An anniversary interview with my wife pt. 1 and Vol. 56: pt. 2

• Vol. 58: Blood Not Funny

• Vol. 69: Working it out on the page

Currently Reading

• I’m halfway through The Bonesetter’s Daughter - my first Amy Tan! - for book club and I’m loving it. It’s an absorbing and engaging novel at a time I really needed that kind of book.

• I’m also reading Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes because when Traci recommends something “reimagines what is possible in nonfiction,” I listen. There is so much brilliance here, and I can’t wait to get back to it once I finish my book club read.