Relate hugely to all of these observations especially the ones about community and doubt! (And I always do my very best editing right after pressing the Send button lol!)
Occasionally I've come across some extremely negative things being said about Substack (its only function being to inflate and maintain the egos of other Substackers, for example) and I pause and re-examine. But my own experience has been just the opposite as you note here. Like-minded, genuine, supportive people. Many congratulations Elizabeth on four impressive years and thank you for your writing xo
Sue, may I admit my relief at not seeing those kinds of comments in my feed? Ugh. I'm sure I don't brush up against even half of what's here on Substack. It may be more algorithmically segmented than older social media platforms, but I don't miss the vitriol. I'll beat the drum for mutual support any day! Your readership means so much, Sue. Gracias!
Good morning, Elizabeth. Yes, consistency is everything here. Knowing that readers will show up inspires me to put the virtual coffee on. Beautiful painting by Macke.
Congratulations! For someone with a full time job, you really do show up consistently here for this community. It has been delightful to read your thoughts here, and I feel like it’s been a wonderful opportunity to really get to know you and appreciate your take on the world. Keep showing up. It matters.
That exclamation point at the end - yes!! Here's hoping that the efforts of those who are trying to model that are helping cultivate more of it. Thank you so much.
Where does the time go -- that's what I also want to know. I once listened to an interview with Mary Oliver when she was on in her years. The interviewer read a passage Oliver had written and the poet admitted she had no recollection of writing it or in which book it apepeared. I think I'm starting to understand how possible that is. :) Thank you, dear Michaela.
So glad your voice is here! I continue to be amazed and delighted to see the world wide community of Substackers who show up and support one another and us as your readers! I feel seen and heard, as well! Your words lift us up, cause us to pause and consider, soothe our tired souls, and tickle our funnybones that seems to hide in these chaotic times. Big love to you and all who share with us!!
My heart grew a bit at you saying you feel seen and heard. That's gold, Susan. Thank you for your reliable presence and all the ways you add meaning in the comments.
Gracias, Beth. I'm glad to have a small cadre of friends down under. If all goes as planned, my daughter will be taking her leave from Sydney in May. She moved there a week after Chicken Scratch was born and has loved it so.
Attention IS a form of care! And I, too, drag my reluctant butt to the Y every other day to do the stupid e-gym circuit for my stupid bone health. In spite of my best efforts to talk myself out of it.
There is undeniable power in being reluctant and showing up anyway—at the gym, on Substack, at a protest. Thank you for putting words to what so many of us feel, and for putting so much kindness into the world.
It reminds me of that protest sign: "It's so bad, even the introverts are here." Three cheers for the Reluctant Butt Club! (We may need explainers.)
Seriously, thank you, Irena. It is, for me, truly a daily practice to center positivity. I'm not reluctant to do it, but it sure has gotten harder for certain subjects. Grateful for your support and engagement here.
Congratulations - showing up always matters. This is a beautiful reflection on your process and perspective. I really love the last one, too: "Noticing what’s painful, infuriating, and bleak, or tender, funny, and exhilarating is a way of staying connected to the full spectrum of life as one of billions sharing an existence here on Earth. And when I’m attentive, I’m more likely to see what needs more care."
Such a great post, Elizabeth - and congratulations on a terrific milestone!
Consistency, doubt, humour, community and attention are all such powerful tools. My routine feels to be in constant flux, because I'm adding things in, taking others away. In my days of (over)exercising I found discipline to be a much better driver than willpower, and I just wouldn't let myself take 'no' for an answer. Looking back, other things fell by the wayside. At the moment there are plenty of things I have the will to do but for which I lack the discipline - getting back to writing consistently on Substack being one of them - and I recognise that I need to harness some hard graft.
In the meantime, though, the reduction in my writing output has given me space and energy to erect pillars of consistency in other parts of life's structure.
It sounds like you're doing just what's needed right now, Rebecca. It takes a while to reconfigure our priorities, and I know yours has got to be your health. I so appreciate you being part of the Scratch community and have enjoyed your reemergence!
I'm delighted that you show up each week to broaden my world both through this 'stack and the comments you so thoughtfully leave on my own. ALLyour efforts are deeply appreciated! ~J
When I was new to raising chickens, I found an online community to offer guidance. When I became a homeschooling parent, I found more communities, some in person, some online — and many are still close friends. Now I have a community through Substack that means so much to me. These groups aren’t made up of people who think the same way. What they have in common is a willingness to listen, learn and support. That’s everything. I’m glad we are in this together.
Thank you Elizabeth! and congratulations on your four years of sharing here. I love reading your words...you share so much and you tap into what many of us are feeling at any given moment it seems. Your grace and your love for humanity is what is needed now and always.
You’re welcome. And thank you. And ….
💗 ...may it ripple on.
Relate hugely to all of these observations especially the ones about community and doubt! (And I always do my very best editing right after pressing the Send button lol!)
Occasionally I've come across some extremely negative things being said about Substack (its only function being to inflate and maintain the egos of other Substackers, for example) and I pause and re-examine. But my own experience has been just the opposite as you note here. Like-minded, genuine, supportive people. Many congratulations Elizabeth on four impressive years and thank you for your writing xo
Sue, may I admit my relief at not seeing those kinds of comments in my feed? Ugh. I'm sure I don't brush up against even half of what's here on Substack. It may be more algorithmically segmented than older social media platforms, but I don't miss the vitriol. I'll beat the drum for mutual support any day! Your readership means so much, Sue. Gracias!
Good morning, Elizabeth. Yes, consistency is everything here. Knowing that readers will show up inspires me to put the virtual coffee on. Beautiful painting by Macke.
I thought of you when I chose that painting, even hearing an echo of your careful analysis in my head. Also, you make great "coffee." Thank you.
Smiling…
Congratulations! For someone with a full time job, you really do show up consistently here for this community. It has been delightful to read your thoughts here, and I feel like it’s been a wonderful opportunity to really get to know you and appreciate your take on the world. Keep showing up. It matters.
I'm so glad our paths crossed long enough to forge a connection, Teresa, and this is a treasure of a comment. So grateful. 🥲
“Consistency... Send...
Attention... Humor...” Grit, grace.
“Community... Care!”
That exclamation point at the end - yes!! Here's hoping that the efforts of those who are trying to model that are helping cultivate more of it. Thank you so much.
Four years!!! Wahoo! What an accomplishment!!! 💞🎉
Where does the time go -- that's what I also want to know. I once listened to an interview with Mary Oliver when she was on in her years. The interviewer read a passage Oliver had written and the poet admitted she had no recollection of writing it or in which book it apepeared. I think I'm starting to understand how possible that is. :) Thank you, dear Michaela.
So glad your voice is here! I continue to be amazed and delighted to see the world wide community of Substackers who show up and support one another and us as your readers! I feel seen and heard, as well! Your words lift us up, cause us to pause and consider, soothe our tired souls, and tickle our funnybones that seems to hide in these chaotic times. Big love to you and all who share with us!!
My heart grew a bit at you saying you feel seen and heard. That's gold, Susan. Thank you for your reliable presence and all the ways you add meaning in the comments.
No better place to hang out, than with you ..on Chicken Scratch...So much fun...a few tears...lots of learning...
I hope and pray I'm as able and willing as you, Barry, to keep laughing, crying, and learning. What a role model! Thank you.
Thank you. A pleasure to be here. 🤗🤗
Gracias, Beth. I'm glad to have a small cadre of friends down under. If all goes as planned, my daughter will be taking her leave from Sydney in May. She moved there a week after Chicken Scratch was born and has loved it so.
4 years deserves a celebration, my friend! Thank you for sharing your heart and your wisdom. I so admire your commitment.
You've been along for the full ride, Lyn, and I appreciate that--and you--so much. Such history we have! Thank you for being here today.
Attention IS a form of care! And I, too, drag my reluctant butt to the Y every other day to do the stupid e-gym circuit for my stupid bone health. In spite of my best efforts to talk myself out of it.
There is undeniable power in being reluctant and showing up anyway—at the gym, on Substack, at a protest. Thank you for putting words to what so many of us feel, and for putting so much kindness into the world.
It reminds me of that protest sign: "It's so bad, even the introverts are here." Three cheers for the Reluctant Butt Club! (We may need explainers.)
Seriously, thank you, Irena. It is, for me, truly a daily practice to center positivity. I'm not reluctant to do it, but it sure has gotten harder for certain subjects. Grateful for your support and engagement here.
Congratulations - showing up always matters. This is a beautiful reflection on your process and perspective. I really love the last one, too: "Noticing what’s painful, infuriating, and bleak, or tender, funny, and exhilarating is a way of staying connected to the full spectrum of life as one of billions sharing an existence here on Earth. And when I’m attentive, I’m more likely to see what needs more care."
I just have to be sure I'm making room to notice *both,* because it's terribly easy, right now, to just see what's horrid.
Thank you, Amy, and congratulations on the anniversary of Illustrated Life, too!
Such a great post, Elizabeth - and congratulations on a terrific milestone!
Consistency, doubt, humour, community and attention are all such powerful tools. My routine feels to be in constant flux, because I'm adding things in, taking others away. In my days of (over)exercising I found discipline to be a much better driver than willpower, and I just wouldn't let myself take 'no' for an answer. Looking back, other things fell by the wayside. At the moment there are plenty of things I have the will to do but for which I lack the discipline - getting back to writing consistently on Substack being one of them - and I recognise that I need to harness some hard graft.
In the meantime, though, the reduction in my writing output has given me space and energy to erect pillars of consistency in other parts of life's structure.
I think that most of all I need balance! ⚖️
It sounds like you're doing just what's needed right now, Rebecca. It takes a while to reconfigure our priorities, and I know yours has got to be your health. I so appreciate you being part of the Scratch community and have enjoyed your reemergence!
😘
I'm delighted that you show up each week to broaden my world both through this 'stack and the comments you so thoughtfully leave on my own. ALLyour efforts are deeply appreciated! ~J
When I was new to raising chickens, I found an online community to offer guidance. When I became a homeschooling parent, I found more communities, some in person, some online — and many are still close friends. Now I have a community through Substack that means so much to me. These groups aren’t made up of people who think the same way. What they have in common is a willingness to listen, learn and support. That’s everything. I’m glad we are in this together.
“Community eases the burden “
Thank you for being here, in this community!
And you, Kathleen! I absolutely notice your presence here. Hope you are doing okay…despite everything.
Thank you Elizabeth! and congratulations on your four years of sharing here. I love reading your words...you share so much and you tap into what many of us are feeling at any given moment it seems. Your grace and your love for humanity is what is needed now and always.
Oh, my heart. Thank you, Jeannine, for such kind words and for showing up here so consistently. 💗