I’m Eden, from California but traveling in Southeast Asia and now headed to South Africa -- a *courageous* thing I did last year was quit my job to travel and explore my creativity...and now start this newsletter😇
I’m Jose. I live in Atlanta, sort of, but at the moment I’m sitting on a porch in Rosemary Beach, FL. Retiring is the scariest thing I’ve done in the last few years - uncertainty about breaking off from stable routine and pay of work, family life now that I would be home all the time, what to do with my time. What’s the worst that can happen? I asked myself, and the answer I found was - nothing we couldn’t adjust to. It’s been nearly five years now since I took the plunge and the rewards of retirement have not all been as expected - travel, concerts, better relationships, also lots of walking, finding clients that still want to work with me part-time, having the time to help care for my mom. I’m learning - still work in progress - life is not linear, ups, downs, joy, sadness, sometimes all in the same day
I’m Elizabeth, and I live in Los Angeles. I feel like I do scary things all the time, but making a commitment to rest regularly is super weird for me, and I’m not sure how to go about it.
I 100% understand that. Putting yourself first can feel really weird. I hope you can find some restful, relaxing, rejuvenating time soon—you really deserve it. P.S. What you do with your daughter inspires me in more ways than you will ever know.
Heyyyy Tati! / Hi, everyone. Giselle from the DC area here.
A scary thing I did recently was sign up for my first writing class since… college? High school? I don't even know—it's been a VERY LONG TIME. So far I'm the only participant (hah, of course), so it's going to be interesting.
One day, maybe, I'd like to try to get a short story or personal essay published somewhere. We shall see.
Giselle!! Sending you the biggest hug. Being the only participant in your class might be a little weird, but it could also be dope? (Like all that 1-1 writing professor attention and feedback!!) thank you so much for sharing with us <3 miss you for real
I recently traveled to Italy with my husband. My first time out of the US in 16 or so years, his first time EVER. We had a very loose itinerary, rented a car (terrifying, but fun!) and had a great time. I was nervous about many aspects (language barriers, spending money, getting lost, crashing our rental car). It wasn't a perfect trip, but it was perfect for us.
Thanks, Tatiana! Speaking of - I loved your recent photo essay celebrating your mom and the trip that went sideways. Thanks for sharing so many parts of life with us, even the messy ones!
1. Hi, I’m Kristen and I’m currently writing from Hanoi, Vietnam.
2. The scariest thing I did recently is leave everything I’ve ever known back home in the U.S. and packed as much as I could fit in a backpack to start a new adventure in Vietnam. I didn’t have a job or a place to live before coming here and didn’t know anyone and it’s been the scariest thing I’ve ever done navigating living in a whole new country I’ve never been to and doing it all by myself.
3. I want to start posting regularly on my blog about all my experiences and travels and not let imposter syndrome and self doubt prevent me from doing that. Also in the near future want to take a year to focus all on traveling and writing!
Kristen, this is epic. Showing up solo to Vietnam without any structure/plan/support?! Insanely inspiring. I'd love to check out your blog if/when you're ready to share it.
P.S. Imposter syndrome has gotten in my way many times before, but I'll say that sharing my work this year has brought a new sense of purpose and joy in a way I never expected. The nagging-creative-imposter in me never fully goes away, but reminding myself that life is too short to let her win has helped me push forward anyway. Good luck with all your writing and travels!
Girl, you and your writing have totally inspired me more than I can say! I first came across your work from your contribution to The Isolation Journals and when I read that you were writing about spending a year facing all your fears, I was just like that is so dope sign me the hell up!
I'm happy to hear that pushing through the self-doubt has brought so much good for you. That inspires me to keep going with my creative passions too, no matter how imperfect or messy it may be. There isn't much content on it yet but my blog is oldwanderingsoul.com if you want check it out. Keep killing it out there!
2. I decided to make a course about how to make friends as an adult. I shared the news with my Instagram friends and asked them to take my test course. I hoped for 4 but 7 people signed up! Wahoo 🥰
Brenna! Launching a course is huge—congrats! Where can we check it out?
Making friends as an adult can be super duper awko; I was even just talking about this with some people last week and thinking about writing about it! Good luck with your course. I'm rooting for you and all your freelance goals :)
Elle! Heck yes! I am so here for all this—the travel, the utopian novel, and the idea of creative expansiveness. Even just using "expansive" to talk about art is beautifully new to me. Will have to use that in one of my morning affirmations soon lol
2. Last week I published a post that was really personal and included bits about my faith--which can be a really taboo thing to talk about, right.
Also, I donated stem cells for my brother’s transplant this summer. I tried not to think about the process or the discomfort, but I gotta tell you: getting that big freaking tube shoved into my neck and down my veins was anxiety-inducing!
3. I’m thinking of doing more voiceovers and maybe even some podcasts. I don’t love my voice and am not as confident speaking as I am writing, so we’ll see...
Holy cow, this is incredible. I just read your story and am so, so in awe of what you've shared. ("How will you spend yourself?" is now written on my desk notepad.) I feel like the most taboo subjects are often the best writing to read. Because they're vulnerable, real, and raw—even if people don't see eye-to-eye on those subjects. I kinda felt that way when I started talking about my relationship with alcohol, which still feels weirdly "wrong" for some reason. But it also feels the most rewarding.
Wishing your brother a safe recovery. And goooood luck with the voice stuff. Maybe you could test out a podcast on Substack? Regardless, thank you so much for sharing with us here.
See--I love your writing on your relationship with alcohol! I currently have a son in residential treatment/recovery (which I also write about sometimes with his permission), and while he definitely has an addiction with drugs (and probably alcohol too if that were his "drug of choice"), I do not. I have, however, had periods during my life where I have abstained from drinking alcohol because I didn't like my current relationship with it. As you say so often: It wasn't serving me. Please keep writing about this subject! There are many people out there who need to know it's okay to question their relationship with alcohol even if they are not an alcoholic.
Thanks for the well wishes (tiny update on my brother landing tomorrow!).
Wow, that’s so amazing you did that for your brother.
Also, I wanted to comment on number 3, because I started taking voice lessons this year and I have absolutely loved learning to sing, it just feels so good to use my voice (usually written down) in this way. I hope you find the same with your voiceovers!
I don’t know that it was so much “brave” as determined to keep my brother alive!
I spent my secondary school years and a couple of college years in choir and voice lessons. Singing is such a wonderful outlet! Of course, these days it’s mostly an audience of one.🤣 I can sing on key and read music, but (as one instructor once said) I have a “good blending voice.”
I’m looking forward to learning voice work in this way!
My voice teacher says that almost every one of her students gave up as a kid because of one instructor who said something off putting. It’s so true! And so sad! Just think of where we might be today if those teachers had been encouraging instead of critical!
Thankfully, I was an adult before someone told me this! :) But it affected me greatly. So I try to always look for the good in others and issue compliments instead of criticism (unless someone specifically asks for it).
Bam! Ok first of all—I am jealous of your full name. It's freakin' epic. Secondly, looove your newsletter. Can't resist a good dating/sex story lol. Congrats on launching!
Aww, of course. Your story moved me—to the point where I was actually channeling you here in Berlin.
I arrived to this city three weeks ago without knowing anybody and thought about how you put yourself out there and pushed yourself to meet people. I now have lots of friends here and tbh, I don't want to leave!
Here in Vancouver, BC, a population made up of immigrants and refugees from a gadzillion countries. Canada comes from the from the Aloquin-Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village” or “settlement.” It is the #1 choice of immigrants and refugees. Those who arrive in the east often make their way to the West Coast due to the mild weather, English as the dominant languge, and the presence of lots of communities of many immgrants and refugees that made their way here. Of courses, the natural beauty was repeatedly heralded by National Geographic x 3 as one of the 6 most beautiful cities in the world, long before "My American Cousin" was filmed or Hollywood North became an insitution. Here we go for Doner Kabobs.
Always inspiring us to be playful! Although I see people are already coming to your party; I want to help you with your fear of no one showing up, and turning this event into a full house!
1. I am Maja and currently live in Stockholm, Sweden. Moving hear years ago was one of the scariest things that I did and I am still trying to wrap my head around if it was a good idea.
2. Starting my own Substack, Tarantula: Authors and Art was scary ... especially since I try to find artists to inspire conversations and stories. And I am very proud of my self as I contacted an artists who just had an exhibition at the Ford Institution in NYC, and she said yes! that's coming up next months, but the fear of rejection was real! Although I feel a bit braver now!
3. I am actually thinking of what else can I do in my life as I feel like I have a lot more that I can contribute, but after years of writing for self and mothering, and being in a foreign country looking for a part time job is scary! So let's see what happens next! (I can't believe I just said this out loud!)
Haha yes, Maja! Thank you for bringing all your energy to this thread party. Your comment is literally bursting with so much bravery (new country, new newsletter, new life, new job, risking rejection, saying things you're scared to say aloud on the internet!?!). It's incredible. I am rooting for you in everything.
Thank you Tatiana! And I am rooting for you and excited about each of your new adventures. I am thinking now of one more scary thing and that is when I signed up for Substack Grow. I thought it would be just one of those anonymous online chats, but I remember the moment when they said that they would divide us in break up groups, my stomach literary churned! But then there were you and our other group member faces! And so much inspiration and good vibes came out of that. Glad that you are enjoying Berlin!
1. Hello! My name is Maryam. I live in Lagos, Nigeria, as a writer.
2. I finally started a Master’s programme, and it’s been running for a whopping three months! It feels surreal and amazing to start and, actually, enjoy a goal that I’ve been looking forward to accomplishing.
3. I'd like to get rid of the gnawing fear in my throat, resume blogging, and keep sharing my stories with the rest of the world.
1. Liz, in Brooklyn, but currently at a writing retreat in rural Pennsylvania, in a big white rocking chair on the porch of a barn.
2. Scariest thing I’ve done recently: starting my life over at 40, and then sharing photo essays on Substack about finding the courage to begin again.
3. Thing I’m scared to do soon: starting a new phase of my career and going freelance so I have more time to sit in rocking chairs at writing retreats!
Brenna, I’m at a gorgeous place in PA run by the Highlights Foundation, cozy cabins in the woods and all day to write and wander, definitely recommend!
Hi! I’m Natasha and I live in London. Actually right this minute my husband is booking our Christmas trains in Berlin. I write and podcast over at The Rest Room about living with chronic illness and I like to spend my spare time learning yiddish and french.
Something I’ve written about a fair amount recently is growing up terrified of my body. I experienced a lot of dislocations, and as I got older and they got more frequent. I’ve dislocated my knee the most (the last time, ever so glamorously and on-trend, slipping on the floor in the security room of the Holocaust museum in Paris) and it has lead to physical reactions whenever I’m near water on a wet floor - or when I see it on the tv (I can’t watch Cameron Diaz slip across the ice in The Holiday). I’ve been working for years to feel safe having my feet near water, to remind myself that I don’t dislocate my knee every time I’m near something wet. So that’s something I’m continuing to work on (today was actually a milestone with that!)
The fear will remain and I need to be careful, but it’s not black and white.
Natasha! I'm hyped for you to be in Berlin for the holidays (have you been here before? I am obsessed with this city!)
I can completely relate to how you described fear. It's never black and white. Some days are good. Some days are bad. But it sounds like you're super self-aware and working towards overcoming it. Or at least not letting it dampen your adventures, which is incredibly inspiring. Congrats on the milestone! And thank you for sharing with us here <3
In the spirit of putting on my Brazenface, I'll take the first plunge:
1. Tatiana, currently writing/illustrating to you from Berlin, Germany. The lovely land of doner, dancing, and danke :)
2. A recent fear: starting my very first Substack thread—which kinda feels like sending out a party invite to thousands of people and crossing your fingers that people will actually show up. Fear of rejection is real!! But giving it a go anyway.
3. I want to push myself to make a mini short film soon (!!)
Fear of rejection is so so so real! You are awesome and inspiring all of us. It was so neat to see you remembered my first entry into an art show! I've been slowly adding some of my art onto my substack since, and the nerves still attack every time!
I so relate. Why are threads so scary? Maybe because the internet has become a scary place to share a thought? Luckily, Substack has proved much better. Good luck with the film!!!
I’m Eden, from California but traveling in Southeast Asia and now headed to South Africa -- a *courageous* thing I did last year was quit my job to travel and explore my creativity...and now start this newsletter😇
I’m Jose. I live in Atlanta, sort of, but at the moment I’m sitting on a porch in Rosemary Beach, FL. Retiring is the scariest thing I’ve done in the last few years - uncertainty about breaking off from stable routine and pay of work, family life now that I would be home all the time, what to do with my time. What’s the worst that can happen? I asked myself, and the answer I found was - nothing we couldn’t adjust to. It’s been nearly five years now since I took the plunge and the rewards of retirement have not all been as expected - travel, concerts, better relationships, also lots of walking, finding clients that still want to work with me part-time, having the time to help care for my mom. I’m learning - still work in progress - life is not linear, ups, downs, joy, sadness, sometimes all in the same day
Jose, what a beautiful gift of a reminder to take the plunge and carve out more time for what brings us joy.
I’m Elizabeth, and I live in Los Angeles. I feel like I do scary things all the time, but making a commitment to rest regularly is super weird for me, and I’m not sure how to go about it.
I 100% understand that. Putting yourself first can feel really weird. I hope you can find some restful, relaxing, rejuvenating time soon—you really deserve it. P.S. What you do with your daughter inspires me in more ways than you will ever know.
Heyyyy Tati! / Hi, everyone. Giselle from the DC area here.
A scary thing I did recently was sign up for my first writing class since… college? High school? I don't even know—it's been a VERY LONG TIME. So far I'm the only participant (hah, of course), so it's going to be interesting.
One day, maybe, I'd like to try to get a short story or personal essay published somewhere. We shall see.
Stay brazen! We love it. xoxo
Giselle!! Sending you the biggest hug. Being the only participant in your class might be a little weird, but it could also be dope? (Like all that 1-1 writing professor attention and feedback!!) thank you so much for sharing with us <3 miss you for real
I'm Chrissy, I live in Wilmington, NC!
I recently traveled to Italy with my husband. My first time out of the US in 16 or so years, his first time EVER. We had a very loose itinerary, rented a car (terrifying, but fun!) and had a great time. I was nervous about many aspects (language barriers, spending money, getting lost, crashing our rental car). It wasn't a perfect trip, but it was perfect for us.
That last line says everything. It completely captures the messy magic of travel.
Grazie for sharing and for inspiring us all to get out there :)
Thanks, Tatiana! Speaking of - I loved your recent photo essay celebrating your mom and the trip that went sideways. Thanks for sharing so many parts of life with us, even the messy ones!
Hola! Blanca! Traveling currently in Lisbon!
I’m doing the scariest thing - traveling and making arrangements as I go! 😆😁🥺🤣
Bianca! That's awesome! Enjoy Lisbon and letting life take you where you're meant to go.
1. Hi, I’m Kristen and I’m currently writing from Hanoi, Vietnam.
2. The scariest thing I did recently is leave everything I’ve ever known back home in the U.S. and packed as much as I could fit in a backpack to start a new adventure in Vietnam. I didn’t have a job or a place to live before coming here and didn’t know anyone and it’s been the scariest thing I’ve ever done navigating living in a whole new country I’ve never been to and doing it all by myself.
3. I want to start posting regularly on my blog about all my experiences and travels and not let imposter syndrome and self doubt prevent me from doing that. Also in the near future want to take a year to focus all on traveling and writing!
Kudos - that’s brave! 🎉
Wow! How brave!!!!
Kristen, this is epic. Showing up solo to Vietnam without any structure/plan/support?! Insanely inspiring. I'd love to check out your blog if/when you're ready to share it.
P.S. Imposter syndrome has gotten in my way many times before, but I'll say that sharing my work this year has brought a new sense of purpose and joy in a way I never expected. The nagging-creative-imposter in me never fully goes away, but reminding myself that life is too short to let her win has helped me push forward anyway. Good luck with all your writing and travels!
Girl, you and your writing have totally inspired me more than I can say! I first came across your work from your contribution to The Isolation Journals and when I read that you were writing about spending a year facing all your fears, I was just like that is so dope sign me the hell up!
I'm happy to hear that pushing through the self-doubt has brought so much good for you. That inspires me to keep going with my creative passions too, no matter how imperfect or messy it may be. There isn't much content on it yet but my blog is oldwanderingsoul.com if you want check it out. Keep killing it out there!
Omg, girl this brought a huuuuge smile to my face. You're doing it!! Love the blog! excited to keep tabs on it <3
1. Brenna from San Diego!
2. I decided to make a course about how to make friends as an adult. I shared the news with my Instagram friends and asked them to take my test course. I hoped for 4 but 7 people signed up! Wahoo 🥰
Hi Brenna! This is awesome! I was just talking to my sister and mom about the difficulties making friends after school.
Brenna! Launching a course is huge—congrats! Where can we check it out?
Making friends as an adult can be super duper awko; I was even just talking about this with some people last week and thinking about writing about it! Good luck with your course. I'm rooting for you and all your freelance goals :)
It's in my gdrive drafts right now but I"m going to launch it in Jan! Wahoo! Thanks Tatiana.
My dream is to become a freelancer doing something I’m passionate about.
1. I’m Elle Griffin and I live in Salt Lake City.
2. I recently started publishing my second book, a utopian novel, as a serial for my newsletter subscribers.
3. I want to travel the world, while writing my newsletter for a living and being ever more imaginative and expansive with my art. 😍
Elle! Heck yes! I am so here for all this—the travel, the utopian novel, and the idea of creative expansiveness. Even just using "expansive" to talk about art is beautifully new to me. Will have to use that in one of my morning affirmations soon lol
1. Holly from Mississippi in the Southern U.S.
2. Last week I published a post that was really personal and included bits about my faith--which can be a really taboo thing to talk about, right.
Also, I donated stem cells for my brother’s transplant this summer. I tried not to think about the process or the discomfort, but I gotta tell you: getting that big freaking tube shoved into my neck and down my veins was anxiety-inducing!
3. I’m thinking of doing more voiceovers and maybe even some podcasts. I don’t love my voice and am not as confident speaking as I am writing, so we’ll see...
Holy cow, this is incredible. I just read your story and am so, so in awe of what you've shared. ("How will you spend yourself?" is now written on my desk notepad.) I feel like the most taboo subjects are often the best writing to read. Because they're vulnerable, real, and raw—even if people don't see eye-to-eye on those subjects. I kinda felt that way when I started talking about my relationship with alcohol, which still feels weirdly "wrong" for some reason. But it also feels the most rewarding.
Wishing your brother a safe recovery. And goooood luck with the voice stuff. Maybe you could test out a podcast on Substack? Regardless, thank you so much for sharing with us here.
See--I love your writing on your relationship with alcohol! I currently have a son in residential treatment/recovery (which I also write about sometimes with his permission), and while he definitely has an addiction with drugs (and probably alcohol too if that were his "drug of choice"), I do not. I have, however, had periods during my life where I have abstained from drinking alcohol because I didn't like my current relationship with it. As you say so often: It wasn't serving me. Please keep writing about this subject! There are many people out there who need to know it's okay to question their relationship with alcohol even if they are not an alcoholic.
Thanks for the well wishes (tiny update on my brother landing tomorrow!).
Wow, that’s so amazing you did that for your brother.
Also, I wanted to comment on number 3, because I started taking voice lessons this year and I have absolutely loved learning to sing, it just feels so good to use my voice (usually written down) in this way. I hope you find the same with your voiceovers!
I don’t know that it was so much “brave” as determined to keep my brother alive!
I spent my secondary school years and a couple of college years in choir and voice lessons. Singing is such a wonderful outlet! Of course, these days it’s mostly an audience of one.🤣 I can sing on key and read music, but (as one instructor once said) I have a “good blending voice.”
I’m looking forward to learning voice work in this way!
My voice teacher says that almost every one of her students gave up as a kid because of one instructor who said something off putting. It’s so true! And so sad! Just think of where we might be today if those teachers had been encouraging instead of critical!
Thankfully, I was an adult before someone told me this! :) But it affected me greatly. So I try to always look for the good in others and issue compliments instead of criticism (unless someone specifically asks for it).
You’re too cool I love these
1. Bam.
2. Launch my Substack!
3. Move to Portugal : )
We’re also thinking about Portugal! Seems to be all the rage these days!
Get over here! Recommend Outsite.co if you’re considering it.
I’m at the caiscais one for two months trying to write as many columns as possible.
Bam! Ok first of all—I am jealous of your full name. It's freakin' epic. Secondly, looove your newsletter. Can't resist a good dating/sex story lol. Congrats on launching!
Ah, thank you! This is deffo the boost I needed having just started : ) appreciate you
Thank you so much for the shout out! Your newsletter and all your adventures are definitely an inspiration to many of us.
Aww, of course. Your story moved me—to the point where I was actually channeling you here in Berlin.
I arrived to this city three weeks ago without knowing anybody and thought about how you put yourself out there and pushed yourself to meet people. I now have lots of friends here and tbh, I don't want to leave!
That's so lovely to hear! I'm glad my story moved and inspired you. That's so awesome. I'm glad you've made lots of friends there already.
Here in Vancouver, BC, a population made up of immigrants and refugees from a gadzillion countries. Canada comes from the from the Aloquin-Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village” or “settlement.” It is the #1 choice of immigrants and refugees. Those who arrive in the east often make their way to the West Coast due to the mild weather, English as the dominant languge, and the presence of lots of communities of many immgrants and refugees that made their way here. Of courses, the natural beauty was repeatedly heralded by National Geographic x 3 as one of the 6 most beautiful cities in the world, long before "My American Cousin" was filmed or Hollywood North became an insitution. Here we go for Doner Kabobs.
One day I hope to make it out there to Vancouver. I hear the landscapes, the people, and the views are wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Susan!
Ok Tatiana,
Always inspiring us to be playful! Although I see people are already coming to your party; I want to help you with your fear of no one showing up, and turning this event into a full house!
1. I am Maja and currently live in Stockholm, Sweden. Moving hear years ago was one of the scariest things that I did and I am still trying to wrap my head around if it was a good idea.
2. Starting my own Substack, Tarantula: Authors and Art was scary ... especially since I try to find artists to inspire conversations and stories. And I am very proud of my self as I contacted an artists who just had an exhibition at the Ford Institution in NYC, and she said yes! that's coming up next months, but the fear of rejection was real! Although I feel a bit braver now!
3. I am actually thinking of what else can I do in my life as I feel like I have a lot more that I can contribute, but after years of writing for self and mothering, and being in a foreign country looking for a part time job is scary! So let's see what happens next! (I can't believe I just said this out loud!)
Haha yes, Maja! Thank you for bringing all your energy to this thread party. Your comment is literally bursting with so much bravery (new country, new newsletter, new life, new job, risking rejection, saying things you're scared to say aloud on the internet!?!). It's incredible. I am rooting for you in everything.
Thank you Tatiana! And I am rooting for you and excited about each of your new adventures. I am thinking now of one more scary thing and that is when I signed up for Substack Grow. I thought it would be just one of those anonymous online chats, but I remember the moment when they said that they would divide us in break up groups, my stomach literary churned! But then there were you and our other group member faces! And so much inspiration and good vibes came out of that. Glad that you are enjoying Berlin!
Hello 👋 my name is Anonymous and I am currently located in a place called Anonymous.
Recently I presented in front of group of 30 people… scary stuff. But I took a deep breath and trusted my gut. Turned out great!
Heck yes! Thanks for sharing and reminding us to breathe + push forward :)
1. Hello! My name is Maryam. I live in Lagos, Nigeria, as a writer.
2. I finally started a Master’s programme, and it’s been running for a whopping three months! It feels surreal and amazing to start and, actually, enjoy a goal that I’ve been looking forward to accomplishing.
3. I'd like to get rid of the gnawing fear in my throat, resume blogging, and keep sharing my stories with the rest of the world.
Maryam! Huge congrats on going for your master's. That's no small feat.
P.S. The world needs your voice and stories (I am already curious to read more from you—like about your life in Nigeria!)
Love the thread illustrations and play on words!
1. Liz, in Brooklyn, but currently at a writing retreat in rural Pennsylvania, in a big white rocking chair on the porch of a barn.
2. Scariest thing I’ve done recently: starting my life over at 40, and then sharing photo essays on Substack about finding the courage to begin again.
3. Thing I’m scared to do soon: starting a new phase of my career and going freelance so I have more time to sit in rocking chairs at writing retreats!
Liz, your newsletter, new life, and go-for-it spirit is a weekly inspiration to me. Truly. Thank you so much for sharing here <3
I started over at 31, I’m dying to attend a writer’s retreat, and I want to be a freelancer !
Brenna, I’m at a gorgeous place in PA run by the Highlights Foundation, cozy cabins in the woods and all day to write and wander, definitely recommend!
Hi! I’m Natasha and I live in London. Actually right this minute my husband is booking our Christmas trains in Berlin. I write and podcast over at The Rest Room about living with chronic illness and I like to spend my spare time learning yiddish and french.
Something I’ve written about a fair amount recently is growing up terrified of my body. I experienced a lot of dislocations, and as I got older and they got more frequent. I’ve dislocated my knee the most (the last time, ever so glamorously and on-trend, slipping on the floor in the security room of the Holocaust museum in Paris) and it has lead to physical reactions whenever I’m near water on a wet floor - or when I see it on the tv (I can’t watch Cameron Diaz slip across the ice in The Holiday). I’ve been working for years to feel safe having my feet near water, to remind myself that I don’t dislocate my knee every time I’m near something wet. So that’s something I’m continuing to work on (today was actually a milestone with that!)
The fear will remain and I need to be careful, but it’s not black and white.
Natasha! I'm hyped for you to be in Berlin for the holidays (have you been here before? I am obsessed with this city!)
I can completely relate to how you described fear. It's never black and white. Some days are good. Some days are bad. But it sounds like you're super self-aware and working towards overcoming it. Or at least not letting it dampen your adventures, which is incredibly inspiring. Congrats on the milestone! And thank you for sharing with us here <3
Thank you! And yeah, my husband is German so we spend a good amount of time in Germany!
In the spirit of putting on my Brazenface, I'll take the first plunge:
1. Tatiana, currently writing/illustrating to you from Berlin, Germany. The lovely land of doner, dancing, and danke :)
2. A recent fear: starting my very first Substack thread—which kinda feels like sending out a party invite to thousands of people and crossing your fingers that people will actually show up. Fear of rejection is real!! But giving it a go anyway.
3. I want to push myself to make a mini short film soon (!!)
Fear of rejection is so so so real! You are awesome and inspiring all of us. It was so neat to see you remembered my first entry into an art show! I've been slowly adding some of my art onto my substack since, and the nerves still attack every time!
This update makes me so happy to hear!! Heck yes. Congrats, Renee <3
We’re all your fans and we’re here for it !
aw thank you so, so much for the support
I so relate. Why are threads so scary? Maybe because the internet has become a scary place to share a thought? Luckily, Substack has proved much better. Good luck with the film!!!
you're so right -- the internet can feel like a giant, black void of what's-going-on-here. maybe that's why? thanks, elle! :)
You’re amazing-- you inspire us all
giiiirl, 100% right back at you