I love the final point you’ve made about going to paid and feeling like you’ve got to be constantly showing up. Thank you for articulating what I think so many of us feel worried about. Really excited to see how you’re writing helps us all think xx
I love the new name. I also love what you said about personal sustainability. I struggle with "being reliable" and producing regularly. It makes so much sense to build in the ability to take a break, either planned or when needed. Thank you.
The Clearing is perfect 🤩 Absolutely wonderful that Substack has developed to this point that we writers can build community in a way that’s gentle, respectful and sustainable. Please don’t feel pressured to show up all the time. One of the reasons I love your work is it explores exactly how we can rest and ride the flow of energy we all have. 💖🌸
I love how beautifully and clearly you lay this out, how thoughtful and lovingly you've ruminated on a name and a space to create with your community--and your honestly about the pitfalls of paid and overpromising. As always, inspired + grateful. x
Only the latest reason I’m grateful for you. Thank you for creating such beautifully nourishing, restful spaces for us all; for showing us another way to be; for your intentionality, always. Here’s to quiet magic—and gentle expansion. x
This is just brilliant. And thank you for voicing the bit about fearing going paid means having to be on high production mode at all times. I’ve been giving myself a hard time about that and this was just the permission slip that was needed for that.
Also, I’m so tickled by the name and your thoughts on the choice — the word I chose for this year was “clear” so this feels like a big sparkly yes from the universe. Can’t wait to see what happens in this community!
So happy to read all of this Katherine, and the energy of a lush, peaceful but vibrant clearing in the woods is very much what I'm working towards, walking towards, desperately wanting these days too. This is such a beautiful place to do that all together ❤️
After a long struggle with my creativity, I am here on Substack and finding my way back to writing. I was overjoyed to find you here today and read your newsletter. Thank you for your books, all of which I devoured over the winter, and your presence here.
Welcome to Substack, Katherine! Blessings on your move. I've been so impressed by the level of discourse on this platform; I hope you'll find it as hospitable and community-oriented as I have!
And PS, I love "The Clearing." A beautifully multi-faceted name. :-)
Thank you for naming the part about needing to take time off. That is one of the things that puts me off introducing paid subscriptions too. But as I consider it now, I realise it's ridiculous to think that we owe anyone that much of ourselves (and yet somehow we get caught in that story). I'm not a paid subscriber (yet) but if and when I am, I hope you take off as much time as you need to care for your precious self. I'm continualy reminded that we cannot give to others from an empty tank.
I took a deep breath when you walked us through what ‘clearing’ means to you. Thank you. I, too, have found that the quiet, fertile ground of space has nurtured me in ways that no yoga class, guru or green drink ever could. I appreciate your commitment to protecting that spaciousness and anticipating ways life and obligations (even when they’re in the spirit of fun!) try to fill it. The blessing of chronic illness (the community I work with and draw endless strength and insight from) is that our bodies never allow the clutter to overtake us for too long. A beautiful blessing in disguise. 💛
This reminds me of the poem Clearing (in the best way) by Martha Postlethwaite
Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue.
I love the final point you’ve made about going to paid and feeling like you’ve got to be constantly showing up. Thank you for articulating what I think so many of us feel worried about. Really excited to see how you’re writing helps us all think xx
I love the new name. I also love what you said about personal sustainability. I struggle with "being reliable" and producing regularly. It makes so much sense to build in the ability to take a break, either planned or when needed. Thank you.
The Clearing is perfect 🤩 Absolutely wonderful that Substack has developed to this point that we writers can build community in a way that’s gentle, respectful and sustainable. Please don’t feel pressured to show up all the time. One of the reasons I love your work is it explores exactly how we can rest and ride the flow of energy we all have. 💖🌸
I love how beautifully and clearly you lay this out, how thoughtful and lovingly you've ruminated on a name and a space to create with your community--and your honestly about the pitfalls of paid and overpromising. As always, inspired + grateful. x
BEAUTIFUL name and describes your offering perfectly. Grateful for your presence. Your subscriptions will fly in today :) Love from here x
Only the latest reason I’m grateful for you. Thank you for creating such beautifully nourishing, restful spaces for us all; for showing us another way to be; for your intentionality, always. Here’s to quiet magic—and gentle expansion. x
I love this artwork!
This is glorious-- I love what you’re doing!
This is just brilliant. And thank you for voicing the bit about fearing going paid means having to be on high production mode at all times. I’ve been giving myself a hard time about that and this was just the permission slip that was needed for that.
Also, I’m so tickled by the name and your thoughts on the choice — the word I chose for this year was “clear” so this feels like a big sparkly yes from the universe. Can’t wait to see what happens in this community!
So happy to read all of this Katherine, and the energy of a lush, peaceful but vibrant clearing in the woods is very much what I'm working towards, walking towards, desperately wanting these days too. This is such a beautiful place to do that all together ❤️
After a long struggle with my creativity, I am here on Substack and finding my way back to writing. I was overjoyed to find you here today and read your newsletter. Thank you for your books, all of which I devoured over the winter, and your presence here.
Welcome to Substack, Katherine! Blessings on your move. I've been so impressed by the level of discourse on this platform; I hope you'll find it as hospitable and community-oriented as I have!
And PS, I love "The Clearing." A beautifully multi-faceted name. :-)
Thank you for naming the part about needing to take time off. That is one of the things that puts me off introducing paid subscriptions too. But as I consider it now, I realise it's ridiculous to think that we owe anyone that much of ourselves (and yet somehow we get caught in that story). I'm not a paid subscriber (yet) but if and when I am, I hope you take off as much time as you need to care for your precious self. I'm continualy reminded that we cannot give to others from an empty tank.
Learning to bring rest and integrity, how beautiful. So apt for me at the moment.
I took a deep breath when you walked us through what ‘clearing’ means to you. Thank you. I, too, have found that the quiet, fertile ground of space has nurtured me in ways that no yoga class, guru or green drink ever could. I appreciate your commitment to protecting that spaciousness and anticipating ways life and obligations (even when they’re in the spirit of fun!) try to fill it. The blessing of chronic illness (the community I work with and draw endless strength and insight from) is that our bodies never allow the clutter to overtake us for too long. A beautiful blessing in disguise. 💛