Dear Lou, when I started reading this post I thought it meant that you were going to leave, and I hoped that wasn't so, as I would truly miss you. So much of what you write is what I am thinking and hadn't put pen to (public) paper. I am so glad that you aren't going away...just taking time to think what's next. I have been feeling the same way and haven't posted much while I focus on a memoir and also think about how I want to show up on Substack...I don't want to keep saying the same thing over and over or even the same thing every one else is saying. At any rate, enjoy your sabbatical and keep us all posted on your next adventure, so we can cheer you on!
Thank you so much Kaarin. I so appreciate your words. They encourage me and boost my spirit to keep on going. 🤗 I didn't know you're writing a memoir! Whoa! And what you said about how you'd like to show up on Substack... SAME! Anyhow, thanks again, and I'll be back shortly. Cheers!
Hi Lou, I wish you all the best in searching for a new beginning for your Substack's new content. Funny, but I'm in the same process. Keep going the old way or do something completely different. Keep writing and enjoy your journey! (literally and figuratively).
Hi Diana. I guess we just go with the ebb and flow of our creative pursuits, right? All the best to you as well, as you figure out your way forward. Cheers!
Hi Lou, what you’ve done here is wonderful! And it has brought you to an exciting place where you get to invite something else.
As someone who does many creative projects, I know my interests change. That’s why I chose a name for my Substack that can hold whatever shape I want to give it. I’m on my fifth series now—they’ve lasted from four months to two years. They have all been different and most of the readers have stayed with me. For me, part of getting older has been giving myself permission to switch up activities, knowing that there’s a core thread of my being that remains within everything I do.
Hi Lee Ann. I'm inspired by your Inspiration Station 😉 and the approach you've taken with the series. Of course, it makes total sense that our interests and what we're pulled to create will evolve. I'm going to keep this in mind as I think about my next phase. Cheers!
Hi Lou. To be honest I was hesitant about subscribing to your Substack initially because of the title. I was in denial!! But beyond that, your writing and subject matter has always been bigger than your title. I’m eager to see what you come up with next. Your energy and insights are always inspiring.
Interesting as always. The more I read posts like this the more I realise that we are all the same. I have concluded that getting older is defined by the younger working generations. In my 70s I am adapting and finding all sorts of things I love to do. My substack posts have become a place to journal about what interests me that week. It’s taken me a few years to get to that point. Doing what is expected of a newsletter dies hard. I’ve set my sights on playing with the newsletter until I am 90. I hope you come up with a good name that doesn’t focus on getting older. I’m happy now to take notice of things around me and adapt to changes in me and the world. Sounds like you have a lot more newsletters in you.
Oh Val, thank you so much for this note. I feel like you're steps ahead of me and where you're at is where I want to be. Thank you for this inspiration and motivation. Cheers!
Honoring your heart and spirit is always the best way to do anything. ✨ It seems to be a common theme of questioning and envisioning what we want for this space or any other, myself included. Your writing here has been appreciated, I look forward to what’s next. All the best. ❤️
I was berating myself a little bit for not wanting to stick to my "lane", so to speak. But then I remembered, I've been writing in this lane for close to a decade now, so maybe, it's okay to switch lanes now 😂 Thank you, Nancy, for being here. Cheers!
I love your William James quote. I’ve been on a similar path of learning to pay attention. I’m loving Iris Murdoch and Simone Weil for their similar truths. Good luck with your new ventures.
Lou, I’ve enjoyed your writing so much. I’ve been MIA from Substack for about 9 months as I went through a very difficult time. Like you, I want to keep writing as it’s just part of who I am and always have been. I too am trying to figure out how I want to “show up” here and what I’ll share.
Let’s just never stop writing and exploring how and what we want to share with our readers. I look forward to seeing what comes next for you!
So nice to hear from you, Sally. I did notice that you've been quiet, and I'm sorry to hear you've been going through a rough patch. I'll keep an eye out for when you get back on the saddle. Cheers! 🤗
You are stuck with me Lou, no matter where life takes each of us. Honored to have been a part of your journey and you mine. I am also coming to the end of this particular season. Still discerning what the next one looks like.
I have been following and "watching" your transitions - can we call it that? - in Beyond the Bookshelf. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no matter how it evolves, you will never stop! 😊 Thank you for being here, Matthew. I'm so happy we're connected.
Dear Lou! Whatever and whenever you decide on the next chapter of this newsletter is, I am here rooting for you!
We are embarking on the same journey, to continue learning, growing, evolving, writing, and prioritizing our own needs. I am sure you will come back with a clarified vision of your future writing! ❤️
And, if you ever need an ear or a soundboard, you know where to find me!
“I’m curious about how a life is shaped intentionally through attention, reading, experience, and conversations. And I’m thinking this is the thrust of what I’d like to explore in my writing going forward.”
I’m curious, too, and look forward to your future writing. I’d also love to have a Substack Live conversation with you about these ways we can intentionally shape our lives. DM me if you’re interested in exploring that possibility.
Yes, you can't slow it down, we are all getting older. But it is relative. Find a challenge and overcome it. You'll at least stay younger in your mind. I'm 74 and made huge career changes. I was never sorry.
Good for you!! Taking a break, releasing what no longer serves. Reinvention as a cultural trend is now, I think, saturated. Maybe aging too? I write about those things (or rather, I once did but have been on my own months-long Substack sabbatical). Renamed my newsletter 2 or 3 times trying to capture the zeitgeist, before landing on an umbrella term that is meaningful to me. I remebered to write for myself not the algorithm. Time away did that. A litle more time, and I'll return to regular publishing, but for now I remain unplugged. Enjoy your rest and discovery!
I love that name "Amid Life"... (which can also be read as "a midlife", I'm guessing 😉). You may be right about your observation regarding reinvention. I think it was such a "novel" idea once upon a time, and a whole lot of us revolted against the idea of "midlife crisis" and said "we're reinventing, not having a crisis!" LOL. I'll keep an eye out for when you resurface from your writing sabbatical. Cheers!
Dear Lou, when I started reading this post I thought it meant that you were going to leave, and I hoped that wasn't so, as I would truly miss you. So much of what you write is what I am thinking and hadn't put pen to (public) paper. I am so glad that you aren't going away...just taking time to think what's next. I have been feeling the same way and haven't posted much while I focus on a memoir and also think about how I want to show up on Substack...I don't want to keep saying the same thing over and over or even the same thing every one else is saying. At any rate, enjoy your sabbatical and keep us all posted on your next adventure, so we can cheer you on!
Thank you so much Kaarin. I so appreciate your words. They encourage me and boost my spirit to keep on going. 🤗 I didn't know you're writing a memoir! Whoa! And what you said about how you'd like to show up on Substack... SAME! Anyhow, thanks again, and I'll be back shortly. Cheers!
Hi Lou, I wish you all the best in searching for a new beginning for your Substack's new content. Funny, but I'm in the same process. Keep going the old way or do something completely different. Keep writing and enjoy your journey! (literally and figuratively).
Hi Diana. I guess we just go with the ebb and flow of our creative pursuits, right? All the best to you as well, as you figure out your way forward. Cheers!
Hi Lou, what you’ve done here is wonderful! And it has brought you to an exciting place where you get to invite something else.
As someone who does many creative projects, I know my interests change. That’s why I chose a name for my Substack that can hold whatever shape I want to give it. I’m on my fifth series now—they’ve lasted from four months to two years. They have all been different and most of the readers have stayed with me. For me, part of getting older has been giving myself permission to switch up activities, knowing that there’s a core thread of my being that remains within everything I do.
I’m excited to see what you do next!
Hi Lee Ann. I'm inspired by your Inspiration Station 😉 and the approach you've taken with the series. Of course, it makes total sense that our interests and what we're pulled to create will evolve. I'm going to keep this in mind as I think about my next phase. Cheers!
Hi Lou. To be honest I was hesitant about subscribing to your Substack initially because of the title. I was in denial!! But beyond that, your writing and subject matter has always been bigger than your title. I’m eager to see what you come up with next. Your energy and insights are always inspiring.
Thank you, Carol! And I'm so glad you stuck with me, title notwithstanding. 😊
This is totally fine, Lou. This is life, right? Find what nourishes you, take a break, a breather, and we'll be here when you return! xo
Life indeed! Thanks so much Lani 🤗
Interesting as always. The more I read posts like this the more I realise that we are all the same. I have concluded that getting older is defined by the younger working generations. In my 70s I am adapting and finding all sorts of things I love to do. My substack posts have become a place to journal about what interests me that week. It’s taken me a few years to get to that point. Doing what is expected of a newsletter dies hard. I’ve set my sights on playing with the newsletter until I am 90. I hope you come up with a good name that doesn’t focus on getting older. I’m happy now to take notice of things around me and adapt to changes in me and the world. Sounds like you have a lot more newsletters in you.
Oh Val, thank you so much for this note. I feel like you're steps ahead of me and where you're at is where I want to be. Thank you for this inspiration and motivation. Cheers!
Honoring your heart and spirit is always the best way to do anything. ✨ It seems to be a common theme of questioning and envisioning what we want for this space or any other, myself included. Your writing here has been appreciated, I look forward to what’s next. All the best. ❤️
I was berating myself a little bit for not wanting to stick to my "lane", so to speak. But then I remembered, I've been writing in this lane for close to a decade now, so maybe, it's okay to switch lanes now 😂 Thank you, Nancy, for being here. Cheers!
I think endings feel heavy because we usually experience them as loss before we experience them as space.
I've never thought about it that way. Thank you for that!
I love your William James quote. I’ve been on a similar path of learning to pay attention. I’m loving Iris Murdoch and Simone Weil for their similar truths. Good luck with your new ventures.
Hi Robyn. Thanks for mentioning Iris Murdoch and Simone Weil. Cheers!
Lou, I’ve enjoyed your writing so much. I’ve been MIA from Substack for about 9 months as I went through a very difficult time. Like you, I want to keep writing as it’s just part of who I am and always have been. I too am trying to figure out how I want to “show up” here and what I’ll share.
Let’s just never stop writing and exploring how and what we want to share with our readers. I look forward to seeing what comes next for you!
Sally
So nice to hear from you, Sally. I did notice that you've been quiet, and I'm sorry to hear you've been going through a rough patch. I'll keep an eye out for when you get back on the saddle. Cheers! 🤗
You are stuck with me Lou, no matter where life takes each of us. Honored to have been a part of your journey and you mine. I am also coming to the end of this particular season. Still discerning what the next one looks like.
I have been following and "watching" your transitions - can we call it that? - in Beyond the Bookshelf. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no matter how it evolves, you will never stop! 😊 Thank you for being here, Matthew. I'm so happy we're connected.
Dear Lou! Whatever and whenever you decide on the next chapter of this newsletter is, I am here rooting for you!
We are embarking on the same journey, to continue learning, growing, evolving, writing, and prioritizing our own needs. I am sure you will come back with a clarified vision of your future writing! ❤️
And, if you ever need an ear or a soundboard, you know where to find me!
Thank you so much, Yi! I so appreciate having connected with you here and through our writings!
“I’m curious about how a life is shaped intentionally through attention, reading, experience, and conversations. And I’m thinking this is the thrust of what I’d like to explore in my writing going forward.”
I’m curious, too, and look forward to your future writing. I’d also love to have a Substack Live conversation with you about these ways we can intentionally shape our lives. DM me if you’re interested in exploring that possibility.
Thank you, Wendi! And I'd love to have that conversation with you. I'll DM when I get back from traveling. Cheers!
Sounds great … happy travels!
I can’t wait to hear the new name and see you expand into your next adventure!
Thank you! Of course you'll hear about it first, in one of our long chats! 🤗
Yes, you can't slow it down, we are all getting older. But it is relative. Find a challenge and overcome it. You'll at least stay younger in your mind. I'm 74 and made huge career changes. I was never sorry.
That is awesome advice, Jim. Cheers and thanks so much for stopping by! ☕️
Good for you!! Taking a break, releasing what no longer serves. Reinvention as a cultural trend is now, I think, saturated. Maybe aging too? I write about those things (or rather, I once did but have been on my own months-long Substack sabbatical). Renamed my newsletter 2 or 3 times trying to capture the zeitgeist, before landing on an umbrella term that is meaningful to me. I remebered to write for myself not the algorithm. Time away did that. A litle more time, and I'll return to regular publishing, but for now I remain unplugged. Enjoy your rest and discovery!
I love that name "Amid Life"... (which can also be read as "a midlife", I'm guessing 😉). You may be right about your observation regarding reinvention. I think it was such a "novel" idea once upon a time, and a whole lot of us revolted against the idea of "midlife crisis" and said "we're reinventing, not having a crisis!" LOL. I'll keep an eye out for when you resurface from your writing sabbatical. Cheers!