Happy Wednesday!
In recent events, I listened to a fun podcast interview with Mark Manson. Which led me to an insightful article that he wrote about blogging.
Manson shares some valuable advice for beginners (aka me). And one piece of wisdom that I wanted to share is this:
Until youโve written hundreds of thousands of words, you have no clue what you will enjoy writing about or what other people will enjoy reading from you.
Iโll be completely honest. It's hard to choose what to write each week. Sharing it is even harder. But Manson offers some insight:
It takes a lot of writing and experimentation for each person to find their own individual style and voice, what they care about, what others care about, and so on. This is a natural process. But it just so happens that when you blog, you need to go through this process in a very public way. Which is awkward. And kind of embarrassing.
But you need to be able to stomach this. Most people, when they want to start blogging donโt realize how much embarrassment and โI canโt believe I actually published that,โ goes into it.
Even after four months of sending out my newsletter every week, I still get nervous.
What will people think? Did I really just say that? Who do I think I am writing this?
All these negative emotions wave over me.
For those that have been writing online for awhileโdo these feelings ever go away?
After reading that article, I appreciated Mansonโs reminder to keep going no matter what. Even if itโs awkward or embarrassing, putting myself out there is something Iโll always be proud of.
Are there situations in your life where you feel anxious but push through anyway? If so, way to go! And if not, thatโs okay too!
We all have our own pace and ways of dealing with certain moments in our life. Sometimes, just recognizing those feelings is a big step. Itโs completely fine to take your time. Everyoneโs journey is different. And thereโs no right or wrong way to go about it.
โจ Keep believing in yourself, and know that youโre doing greatโno matter where you are on your path. โจ
So, in light of Mansonโs advice to keep experimenting, Iโm trying something new today: a monthly digest/recap if you will. So if you like it, will you let me know?
In case you missed it, here are some issues I shared this month:
A peek inside my camera roll (aka my real life Pinterest board)
My favorite takeaways from a Him & Her podcast episode
We hit the 100 subscriber milestone (!!!)
I canโt believe I confessed this
July was full of personal milestones and good energy. I got back into the gym (woohoo!) and finally had a long-overdue visit with the dentist. Just these two things alone made me feel great. Like I'm *actually* getting my shit together (lol).
So let this be your friendly reminder to do something for yourself.
That might mean booking a doctor's appointment youโve been putting off. Or going for a walk outside. Or it might mean lighting up some candles for a nice bath. Or my personal fave: sipping on an iced latte.
Do whatever you gotta do to keep yourself feeling your best.
Products Iโve personally bought and highly recommend:
Quick and incredibly tasty. Iโd love an espresso machine someday, but for now, this instant espresso mix is my morning favorite.
Perfect for any candle lover. We gave this to my sister-in-law for her birthday, and it was a hit. Iโd definitely consider getting one for myself.
A great way to dress up any outfit. I love a good chunky gold earring. These ones are so stylish and cute, though theyโre not as lightweight as advertisedโjust a heads up!
(P.S. If you make a purchase through any of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and use. Thank you!)
Read/Watch/Listen:
Practical tips for exercising regularly. My personal favorite is #10.
A group of friends gather for a reunion, only to be picked off one by one. The twist at the end of this movie caught me completely by surprise.
This limited series on Netflix took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
A binge-worthy documentary-style podcast that is seriously messed up. If you enjoy crazy scams, youโll definitely want to check this out.
Finally, I hope August is filled with things that bring you joy and moments that make you smile. Have a beautiful rest of the week. And remember: youโre doing better than you think you are.
Same time next month? ๐
P.S. Today is the last day to enter my giveawayโwhich ends tonight at 12 AM PST!
P.P.S I created an Instagram account for this newsletter. The ideal goal is to eventually shift away from my personal account. I would love for you to check it out and follow if youโd like!
Millie! The format of this is so fun (and pretty!) You are definitely one of my Substack inspos! Grateful for your writing!
Love the set up and I always enjoy reading monthly recaps!!