Hello! I'm So Glad You Are Here!
Here's to new beginnings and new connections.
It all started 18 years ago with a Wordpress blog.
After a fire had destroyed the motherboard of my ancient desktop computer taking all my stories and poems with it, I started my first ever Wordpress blog with the intention of finding a more permanent place for stories and poems to live. What I didn’t realise at the time, was the power of the internet. I didn’t know what would happen when I posted my little stardust poem that I expected three people to read. Today that poem has travelled all over the world, from a light show in Amsterdam to a dance studio wall in India.
It’s in the spirit of this poem, and all the connections it gave me that I am starting this newsletter and community!
What is How To Survive An Existential Crisis?
In this newsletter, you will find lifelines and poetry, small joys and space to digest the world, second chances and moments of epiphany. This is a place for anyone who is looking for a place of calm and respite from the vagaries of the heart and mind. As someone who has been writing on the internet for years, there are two things I have learned: being human is hard and a process of constantly growing, and we are stronger with community. For years I have written vulnerably on the internet, whether on social media or for traditional media and the most treasured part of that experience is reading the responses from you. The comment sections of my social media feeds are filled with beautiful stories and wonderful moments of human connection - a place for love and vulnerability to flourish fearlessly.
Unfortunately, social media also attracts hate, even more so now because algorithms push engagement without any consideration where it comes from. Furthermore, algorithms also hide posts and control what you see. If you follow someone, there is no guarantee you will see their work – this is not what the once democratic landscape of social media was supposed to be. Once upon a time, when you followed someone, you could be sure you would see their posts, and you would know that the place you had subscribed to would be free of advertisements and hate. You could confidently share a vulnerable story knowing that you would not suddenly be trolled or find a thousand bot comments under your post. I believe that a display of vulnerability should always be treated with love and respect. I believe that true human connection should be authentic.
That is why I have created this Substack. Here you will be treasured and valued in your contributions of vulnerability and know that you will be cherished for it. You can begin your creative journey fearlessly because you deserve to be cheered on every step of the way! Twice a week, I will share poems and articles of hope, courage and validation during an era of distress, audio clips during my countless walks, photos out in nature (I live in a green, lovely place!), book and poetry recommendations. We will have discussion threads and active chats, sharing our weekly epiphanies, writing prompts, creative challenges and more!
Why subscribe?
To get the most out of How To Survive An Existential Crisis, consider joining the membership!
FREE
As a free subscriber, you will get two posts a month full of love, epiphanies, moments of hope and joy!
PAID
As a paid subscriber, you will get to unlock and read all posts, current and prior, receive new writing in your inbox, access to post and chat in weekly discussion threads, writing prompts, audio diaries, access to book giveaways, creativity challenges and more! All this for £6 pounds a month, the price of 2 coffees. It’s already my favourite place on the internet because of all the joy and hope I intend to build here!
FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP
As a founding member, you will get everything a paid subscriber gets AND I’m offering a limited number of people a one to one call with me regarding creative mentoring for any initiative you are currently trying to get started with! I really enjoy buoying the spirits of new artists and reminding artists that they matter, and this is an excellent way for me to do that.
I am so glad you are here and I cannot wait to start joy-building and hope-building with you! Let’s do this!
l have loved you as a stranger from outside the edges of your words, printed or streamed. Now, thanks to your newsletter, I am eternally grateful to be here, closer than a standing at the edge of things, with other kindred spirits under the protection of your wings. xxx
Just a soul who found your words through printed and then eventually Instagram format, but I am so so happy that this space exists. Your writing has contributed massively to how very seen I feel in my own existence. The platform here is new to me but what you’ve said here couldn’t resonate more. It would be a great honor and a great privilege to be brought into your world of words & be a part of the community they’ve gathered! I always so enjoy connecting with your posts on Insta, sharing those moments of magic in your words and I’m so grateful you’ve cultivated a new (safe!) space with the intention to do just that ♥️x