Sometimes I get to the point where I have so much clogging my mind that I can’t seem to find the single thread to pull to craft an essay for Human Feelings. So this series, Thought Threads, will be a way to begin making sense of the knot of thoughts in my mind. If this post is too long, or you’d like to leave a comment, you can read it online here.
UNCERTAINTY AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA
Since taking the summer off, I still can’t figure out how I want to be on social media. I’ve posted once, sharing about a new Substack essay, but even that didn’t feel quite right. I’ll post here and there on Stories, but mostly I’m just viewing other people’s stories and then leaving. Maybe it doesn’t really have a place in my life anymore? And that’s okay. But I think what I’m really struggling with is the uncertainty of what I want my relationship with social media to be.
→ Along these lines, Mia shared with me a link to this post by and I thought it was so spot on. I felt so seen, and I’m glad I’ve begun stepping away from being “chronically online”.
THE WORK TAKING UP ALL MY TIME
You may have noticed (or maybe not) that my Sunday Release essays haven’t been coming out each week. And it’s because my work life has become so hectic that I haven’t been finding the time to put them together - or, more accurately, when I do find the time, I don’t want to sit down at my computer again and write them. I’ve taken on larger roles in the Women Wednesdays for Harris calls, as well as gotten involved in one-off calls in support of nominating Kamala Harris. In addition, I’ve gotten cool opportunities, like being onscreen during the Oprah Unite for America call - things that are too good to pass up. But with these separate responsibilities on top of my regular client responsibilities, something had to give and at the moment it’s the Sunday Release. Maybe after the election I’ll be able to work those back in. But for the moment putting all of my energy toward doing the little bits I can to elect our first woman President is (rightly) taking up all of my time.
REMOVING THE INTERNAL CRITIC
I loved reading through
‘s post called Why are we like this? In it she talks about being her own worst critic - something so many of us can relate to. But when she talked about crafting her own elevator pitch for the times when someone inevitably asks what she does felt so smart to me. So, here’s mine:I’m a writer, designer, Substack support, and podcast producer for powerful, influential women. I also co-host a bookish platform called Reading Through Life, and share personal essays on my own Substack called Human Feelings.
SAVING FOR THE FUTURE, PLAYING NOW
I’ve talked before about traveling with my family being one of my favorite things to do. Exploring a new city, all three of my dudes in tow, is something I crave. Every few months I get this NEED to plan something new for us to do, somewhere to go. But with so little free time during the VERY long swim season (September through March), these trips rarely happen. But I think the bigger problem is that I have a tougher time saving for a future trip - I’d much rather use the money now to do something fun (like our recent YES day). But then I get frustrated that we don’t have the money to do fun weekend trips away.
→ If anyone has suggestions on working on this, I’d love to hear it!
UPGRADING MY SUBSTACK SUBSCRIPTIONS
Because I’ve been spending less time on social media, I’ve been reading a lot more on Substack. Diving into other people’s words is my favorite and I love how many “genres” of writing happen on this platform. I’ve recently upgraded to become a paying subscriber of a few new Substacks so I thought I’d share the Substacks I pay for at the moment:
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MASSAGES AS SUCCESS MEASURES
Since I started working for myself nearly a decade ago, I’ve always said that I want to get to a place where I can afford to get a massage once a month. That to me was a measure of success - something I was treating myself to simply because I could. Last month marked one year that I’ve done this consistently. From August 2023-August 2024 I’ve gotten a massage every single month (and have already had my September massage). At the time it passed by without acknowledgement, but I’m trying to get better at stopping and recognizing all that I’ve accomplished recently.
→ What is the last thing you celebrated in your life that was just for you?
BOOKS THAT RESIDE IN MY MIND
Though my work has ramped up, the amount of reading I’m doing has (thankfully) not suffered. I share my weekly reads each week on
, but a quick rundown of books I’ve read this year that I can’t stop thinking about:SANDWICH by Catherine Newman
BLUE SISTERS by Coco Mellors
MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES by Rufi Thorpe
THE OTHER YEAR by Rea Frey
THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST by Amy Neff
→ What’s a book you can’t stop thinking about?
THANKFULLY AGING
I have a dear friend who recently went through a possible breast cancer scare (she’s fine!!) and it really got me thinking about the privilege of aging. I’ve been fighting early signs of perimenopause, my stomach does not want to be rid of my mom pouch, and the wrinkles that have been on my forehead as long as I can remember are stubbornly getting deeper. But, it’s all surface level. It’s all things I can handle. And I’m so glad that my body is showing these signs of allowing me to get older. There’s something that immediately feels put into perspective about realizing not everyone gets to enjoy those deeper wrinkles and the hormones coursing through your body as you age.
Thank you so much for the mention, Sarah (and thank you Mia!). I'm so glad it made you feel seen! 💗
I have so much to debrief here-- First-- I also cannot stop thinking about Sandwich and Margo-- my top two favorite books of the year!! I also loved James, but those two books really tickled something deep within me. Second, yes to the gift of aging! I lost one of my best friends to breast cancer a few years ago, and I think about this often. 🙏 And finally, what an honor to be on your list of Substack reads, that really means so much. 🫶🫶 I'm glad you find value in what I share, the feeling is so mutual!!