Dear readers,
Thank you so much for being here. I started this Substack at the beginning of the year in an effort to keep myself accountable to my writing goals. If you’re new here, hi! Welcome! I’m Michelle, currently living through my mid-twenties and the best way I’ve found to make sense of my thoughts/emotions/feelings/reflections/aspirations is by writing. I published my first book Little Big Head in the summer of 2020 on Amazon with New Degree Press. This blog will act as a sandbox for me to share my ideas about the things I really care about. Earlier this year, I wrote about how it frustrates me that eye-contact is going out of style. I shared an essay about all the things I love dearly (and purchase often) that have got me through stressful moments, at home and work. I wrote about the lessons I’ve learned in my short time living in the adult world to remind myself that it really will all work out for me. If you’ve read my writing, it really means the world that you are choosing to spend time your with me in this way, and I feel so thankful to have this creative outlet.
Since my last update in June, I’ve been familiar with the exhausting cycle that is trying to find a job in today’s market. I’m still swimming, reminding myself that taking care of my energy is most important and the rest is out of my control. I’ve been lucky to have a few freelance projects I’ve been working on as a User Experience consultant and it’s been fun to tackle the work with a new perspective.
I enjoyed traveling home to Michigan this summer — my sister moved out of my parents house and my grandpa celebrated his 90th birthday. I’ve been enjoying teaching a weekly yoga class online, it has been an incredible learning experience. If you’re interested in joining a class but the time doesn’t work for you, please let me know. And in an effort to understand your experience in my yoga classes, I created this survey you can fill out anonymously. I appreciate you taking the time to fill it out — it will help me create a better experience and offering.
It was a slow summer that was emotionally intense for me. A lot is changing in my life right now, it feels uncomfortable and I recognize it all as a necessary step for my future. Starting my adult life on the west coast has been so exciting and also really difficult. I’m learning a lot and trying to give myself as much grace as I can to remember I’m right on track and only competing to become a better version of myself.
I’ve recently been reflecting on all the times my mind got ahead of my actual being, and I realize it still does. A wonderful thing to know I’m capable of some kind of foresight and I recognize it as a gift, but learning to balance and root it in reality has been simply refreshing. I feel really grateful to my body and circumstances for allowing me time to better understand the ways I get to show up for myself and the world. I’m ready to start sharing again, and am really glad you’re here.
Thank you for reading. Take really good care.
Sincerely,
Michelle
Sounds like you are doing well and I’m glad to read about it.
Beautiful.