I moved to bi-weekly newsletters two years ago (sometimes I even send them once every three weeks!) and no one seems to notice. As a reader, I also appreciate the slower pace of some newsletters - it can be hard to keep up with all my favorites, like yours! All of which is to say, I support and approve the move to fewer, more thoughtful newsletters.
It's like you've been reading my mind with this post, Katie! This is one that I'll think about all day, I think. I totally understand how doing this newsletter thing this can consume a writer's every waking thought; I love that you're taking your own needs into consideration too -- and here's the thing: it will make it that much more special to receive a new issue from you when they come along a little less often, I think. Wishing you all the best, my friend!
Trusting my intuition is something I’ve been struggling with with new motherhood! There is so much conflicting guidance out there, including by experts. My comfort zone is to deal with this by doing MORE research and asking MORE people. But I realized that, even when I do that, I still have to make a decision about who I listen to… so I am trying to listen to myself earlier in the process!
Oh my gosh, the decision fatigue and information overload of new parenting is so intense! Knowing you, Emily, I guarantee that your instincts are on point. Trust that brilliant mind of yours! (And having a go-to list of a few trusted folks to lean on is a good idea too. People want to help!) ❤️
Another new mother here! Totally feel this - the decision fatigue is so real. I stopped googling every baby question I had about a month and a half ago, and I have felt so much calmer and more relaxed since. My new guideline is to limit my sources of parting input to my partner, our parents/immediate IRL circle, and our pediatrician.
I have felt the exact same way about having a chronic illness. Searching for more and more answers just made me so confused and I didn't listen to my own body and intuition. It really is a struggle these days when we can get immediate answers, but they're all different.
When I set out to do my newsletter I envisioned a couple essays a month, and I have been shocked at how fast I have slid into the weekly cadence, plus paid content, plus this, plus that...basically conforming to what I perceive to be the required pace. Congratulations on recognizing that it's actually not required, and I am certain that very few of your readers will think, "fewer, more thoughtful emails in my inbox? No thanks." :) And it's good to be reminded that this is always an option.
Per usual, your essays come at just the right time in my life. Thank you, Katie. 💝
I just announced my "Substack publishing break" this morning so I can recenter myself. I realize, now, you probably had a hand in inspiring that. (That *and* my teen and two tweens about to all be home for the summer. And I never made time to plan my schedule with them in mind....)
I'm excited for you! No matter what niggling thoughts crept into your beautiful brain, I know I'm not the only person who never once thought any of your essays weren't "up to snuff." You've consistently produced essays that I eagerly await each week. Your writing is clearly from the heart, and processed and filtered through a wise, thoughtful, creative, and clever brain!
I'm so glad you took time to sort things for yourself, even though I feel like we're never truly *sorted,* are we? Still, it feels good to take the breaks, rest, walk!, recenter, and return. Today's post is inspired! And I'm so grateful for your insights. Thanks, Katie.
Take your time - I had a blog from 2004 to 2014. The pressure to keep writing two+ times a week on multiple issues was too much and I had to close it down. It remained online until I forgot to pay the host and lost the whole 10 years. All this is to say we give of ourselves but we must also give TO ourselves.
I got carried away and forgot my comment in AI! Initially I was fascinated but after various prompts I found it quite dull and without emotion ie robotic. The recipes were ok. As for images - awful and easily identified as without depth or feeling so AI is buried at least for now
This was a joy to read! I’ve been thinking about all this *so much* lately -- AI and our role as humans and why we should keep on creating even if ChatGPT can write things, too. I love the perspective you on the magic and the shortfalls of this tool.
I just published something similar on my Substack yesterday (called “we must talk about our feelings!!!”) because that was one of my biggest takeaways, too -- there is still infinite value in you and me writing our newsletters and doing the things that bring us connection, creativity, and joy (in your words, “heart-centered creative writing”). And the permission to slow down -- yes yes and yes. Thanks Katie!
I've really enjoyed it and got engaged with this piece. It is interesting the way you experienced it and the way you've told the story, I've felt it was more fun than others you've written. Thanks a lot!
So happy you are back. I'm glad you have found a more manageable cadence. I think it's important that the person writing the words enjoys the process and doesn't see it as a burden.
Welcome Back Katie! I think you should read Klara and the Sun with some of your well deserved extra time. Your comments about using AI made me think of how much I loved the themes in that book. Also, “That if I had a little more time, my writing would be better, my takeaways stronger.” Totally- this is undoubtedly true- I have just started on this journey but my posts are a chance to carve out that space for me - I do have to embrace that producing weekly though means, I might be producing the 4 buck chuck rather than the vintage wine but it is serving my creative process -
I hope you keep doing whatever you do that feeds your soul and allows you to write the content that you want. I love reading your stuff.
We have missed you Katie but TOTALLY get the challenges. They are real. Very glad that you are rethinking a pace that makes sense with all your new responsibilities. When you add one thing, you have to take one away. Sending lots of love and hugs.
thank you for this. i related on a number of levels - as a writer on here trying to "keep up," self doubt, AI. made me feel not so alone in what i've been feeling, a true comfort.
So happy you are back! Your words were missed. And thank you for nudging me a little farther on my slow path towards not being totally terrified of ChatGPT.
I applaud your ability and humility to pay attention to what is not working. Giving yourself more time to ponder what is happening in life will provide great things to write about. It may take some time, but this new rhythm will be worth it. Enjoy! I love what you write and am grateful for your willingness to keep going at a more manageable pace. This work takes the time it takes-- not reason to rush.
this has given me less shame about asking chatgpt for workouts at the gym and being impressed with how helpful its been lol
Hahah, sometimes you need someone else to tell you what to do. I totally get it!
I moved to bi-weekly newsletters two years ago (sometimes I even send them once every three weeks!) and no one seems to notice. As a reader, I also appreciate the slower pace of some newsletters - it can be hard to keep up with all my favorites, like yours! All of which is to say, I support and approve the move to fewer, more thoughtful newsletters.
Thank you! You’re so right.
It's like you've been reading my mind with this post, Katie! This is one that I'll think about all day, I think. I totally understand how doing this newsletter thing this can consume a writer's every waking thought; I love that you're taking your own needs into consideration too -- and here's the thing: it will make it that much more special to receive a new issue from you when they come along a little less often, I think. Wishing you all the best, my friend!
Thank you, Terrell! That's so encouraging to hear!
Trusting my intuition is something I’ve been struggling with with new motherhood! There is so much conflicting guidance out there, including by experts. My comfort zone is to deal with this by doing MORE research and asking MORE people. But I realized that, even when I do that, I still have to make a decision about who I listen to… so I am trying to listen to myself earlier in the process!
Oh my gosh, the decision fatigue and information overload of new parenting is so intense! Knowing you, Emily, I guarantee that your instincts are on point. Trust that brilliant mind of yours! (And having a go-to list of a few trusted folks to lean on is a good idea too. People want to help!) ❤️
Another new mother here! Totally feel this - the decision fatigue is so real. I stopped googling every baby question I had about a month and a half ago, and I have felt so much calmer and more relaxed since. My new guideline is to limit my sources of parting input to my partner, our parents/immediate IRL circle, and our pediatrician.
Great idea!
I have felt the exact same way about having a chronic illness. Searching for more and more answers just made me so confused and I didn't listen to my own body and intuition. It really is a struggle these days when we can get immediate answers, but they're all different.
When I set out to do my newsletter I envisioned a couple essays a month, and I have been shocked at how fast I have slid into the weekly cadence, plus paid content, plus this, plus that...basically conforming to what I perceive to be the required pace. Congratulations on recognizing that it's actually not required, and I am certain that very few of your readers will think, "fewer, more thoughtful emails in my inbox? No thanks." :) And it's good to be reminded that this is always an option.
Thank you, Rae!
Per usual, your essays come at just the right time in my life. Thank you, Katie. 💝
I just announced my "Substack publishing break" this morning so I can recenter myself. I realize, now, you probably had a hand in inspiring that. (That *and* my teen and two tweens about to all be home for the summer. And I never made time to plan my schedule with them in mind....)
I'm excited for you! No matter what niggling thoughts crept into your beautiful brain, I know I'm not the only person who never once thought any of your essays weren't "up to snuff." You've consistently produced essays that I eagerly await each week. Your writing is clearly from the heart, and processed and filtered through a wise, thoughtful, creative, and clever brain!
I'm so glad you took time to sort things for yourself, even though I feel like we're never truly *sorted,* are we? Still, it feels good to take the breaks, rest, walk!, recenter, and return. Today's post is inspired! And I'm so grateful for your insights. Thanks, Katie.
We're never truly sorted.
That's gotta be my new mantra! It's actually a great reminder to not be so hard on ourselves!
Enjoy your break!!
Take your time - I had a blog from 2004 to 2014. The pressure to keep writing two+ times a week on multiple issues was too much and I had to close it down. It remained online until I forgot to pay the host and lost the whole 10 years. All this is to say we give of ourselves but we must also give TO ourselves.
Thanks for that perspective. I’m so sorry you lost 10 years of writing!
I got carried away and forgot my comment in AI! Initially I was fascinated but after various prompts I found it quite dull and without emotion ie robotic. The recipes were ok. As for images - awful and easily identified as without depth or feeling so AI is buried at least for now
This was a joy to read! I’ve been thinking about all this *so much* lately -- AI and our role as humans and why we should keep on creating even if ChatGPT can write things, too. I love the perspective you on the magic and the shortfalls of this tool.
I just published something similar on my Substack yesterday (called “we must talk about our feelings!!!”) because that was one of my biggest takeaways, too -- there is still infinite value in you and me writing our newsletters and doing the things that bring us connection, creativity, and joy (in your words, “heart-centered creative writing”). And the permission to slow down -- yes yes and yes. Thanks Katie!
Thank you, Eden! I love that you untangled some of your thoughts about AI through writing, too!
I've really enjoyed it and got engaged with this piece. It is interesting the way you experienced it and the way you've told the story, I've felt it was more fun than others you've written. Thanks a lot!
Thanks, Vic!
So happy you are back. I'm glad you have found a more manageable cadence. I think it's important that the person writing the words enjoys the process and doesn't see it as a burden.
It is important! Thank you.
Welcome Back Katie! I think you should read Klara and the Sun with some of your well deserved extra time. Your comments about using AI made me think of how much I loved the themes in that book. Also, “That if I had a little more time, my writing would be better, my takeaways stronger.” Totally- this is undoubtedly true- I have just started on this journey but my posts are a chance to carve out that space for me - I do have to embrace that producing weekly though means, I might be producing the 4 buck chuck rather than the vintage wine but it is serving my creative process -
I hope you keep doing whatever you do that feeds your soul and allows you to write the content that you want. I love reading your stuff.
Haha, I love the wine metaphor. And I loved “Klara and the Sun.” Maybe I should revisit it!
We have missed you Katie but TOTALLY get the challenges. They are real. Very glad that you are rethinking a pace that makes sense with all your new responsibilities. When you add one thing, you have to take one away. Sending lots of love and hugs.
Thank you, Rebecca! It’s always great to hear from you.
thank you for this. i related on a number of levels - as a writer on here trying to "keep up," self doubt, AI. made me feel not so alone in what i've been feeling, a true comfort.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Great thought provoking piece.
Thanks, Jon.
So happy you are back! Your words were missed. And thank you for nudging me a little farther on my slow path towards not being totally terrified of ChatGPT.
Ha, it’s not entirely terrible!
I applaud your ability and humility to pay attention to what is not working. Giving yourself more time to ponder what is happening in life will provide great things to write about. It may take some time, but this new rhythm will be worth it. Enjoy! I love what you write and am grateful for your willingness to keep going at a more manageable pace. This work takes the time it takes-- not reason to rush.
So kind. Thank you!