Special Dispatch: Life Updates from Behind the Paywall
I’m moving, I’m growing, and I’m telling the truth…just to you.
You're receiving this special dispatch because I'm thinking of putting more personal content here on Substack
Hi friend,
I've never had a problem sharing my life (see: wrote two memoirs before age 40 😏), but sharing on Instagram has become increasingly fraught. In particular, I shared a post recently about my boyfriend and how he’s shaken up my solo-travel routines and lost “followers.” Ouch. I was honestly hurt. And maybe even cried a little about it. I’m not a business. I’m a person and I felt rejected.
But…When I dug deeper, and looked at the actual stats, I realized that post was one of my most engaged with - ever. People were commenting, talking to me, genuinely excited and some people even said it gave them hope for their own lives given how hard my romantic journey has been. My core community was celebrating with me, even as others quietly unfollowed. It made me realize that my real people are on this journey with me, and maybe it's safer to share these updates in a more private space…here, behind a paywall, with you.
So I'm experimenting with sending you more personal dispatches here in the Glow Getters community. Think of this as our little treehouse. A space we can be protected from the rest of the internet as we try to build lives that are better, more authentic, and more JOYFUL. Please let me know what you think and if you’d like to see anything in particular moving forward! This is an experiment afterall 🧪🧑🔬🧪🧑🔬🧪🧑🔬🧪🧑🔬So here’s my first little dispatch…
I'm Moving!
After I posted about my relationship and lost followers I decided no one wanted to hear about my happiness (even though I felt like I wasn’t doing it an annoying way) and stopped sharing altogether. Then, last week, I was on a call with a reader (love talking to you) and she basically said, “Why aren’t you updating us on the relationship? Did you guys break-up? I’m worried!” Well…there’s nothing to worry about. The relationship is going so well that I've decided to pack up everything, put it in storage, and move to Northern California where The Boyfriend lives. I'm a little nervous, but I've always wanted to live somewhere more nature-focused. Trees are my favorite people, after all.
This move has been overwhelming because it's happening super fast (the big push is Sunday, August 3rd - pray for me!), but I wanted to share the highs and lows using a format I'm trying out: Two Wins and an Over-Function.
Win #1: I Asked for Help
Even though I've been rushing this move (losing track of time between running the coven, organizing the retreat, and finishing my journal), I actually hired two people to help me out. The first is Sarah who is awesome - she found movers, secured a storage unit - handled logistics so I don't need to worry about it. The second is Anne Maddox who you might remember as THAT ANNE from Scandoval on VPR. Tom’s assistant who Ariana steals. If you have no idea what I’m talking about - it’s honestly probably better that way.
In previous years, I would have cheaped out and tried to do everything TOTALLY alone. This year, I was honest: "I can't do this by myself." And you know what? Sarah and Anne stepped up immediately. I know this one is a little bit of a privilege but how many times have you been in a situation where you could have asked for help, or paid for a little help, but spiritually and financially cheaped out? I’m trying not to do that anymore.
Win #2: Gratitude for My Space
I'm really grateful for the apartment I'm leaving behind. It's the single nicest place I've ever lived in - even nicer than my childhood home. It hosted New Year's dinners and Codenames game nights. It held me through a lot (and I mean a lot) of crying on my sofa after Zoom therapy sessions.
I feel so grateful I got to live here because it was several levels up from where I used to live, and it set a new bar for what's possible for me.
The Over-Function: Why Am I Like This?
For some inexplicable reason, I decided this move was the perfect time to switch out all my synthetic workout gear for cotton alternatives. Why am I taste-testing different brands while also trying to move? Now I just have returns to deal with everywhere, making everything needlessly complicated.
I guess maybe my clothes will be healthier? But honestly, this was dumb. I overwhelmed myself for no good reason.
Side note: I did find these leggings that weren't the worst - not the best, but not the worst either. Link here if you're curious. This is not an add or an affiliate anything - this is just a link to what I bought!
In good news:they are 90% organic cotton and 10% elastane and don’t have PFAS
In bad news: still has a synthetic in it (10% elastane) and you can see sweat more easily
Le fin of le dispatch!
What did you think of this dispatch?
Let me know if you loved it, hated it, or want to see something different. I always want to hear from you. Cus the whole reason I am doing this is…you.
Love. Love. Love.
I think showing and sharing with your real peeps here will show them that all your rituals and strategies ARE WORKING!
Yes. Best update ever of all time. A+. 10/10 Highly recommend.