Rest is the only way to keep going
A late summer pause, three invitations and some essays you might have missed
Friends, it’s time for a short break.
It’s been a busy summer, packed with travel, family time, building a social enterprise and lots of writing. I was also flattened by a brutal bout of Covid, which left me glued to the couch for almost two weeks. Throughout it all, I haven’t missed a newsletter. I’ve been late a few times, but I show up each week to write and share something that I hope will make you smile or think or feel less alone.
Since February, I’ve published 44 essays and it’s time for me to take a pause. I want to replenish myself, take a holiday and plan for the next season. I’ll still be working over the next few weeks - friends, the list is long! - but I won’t be publishing weekly.
I’ve written about my experiences with burnout, or rather the blurry space between burnout and trauma. When I finally quit a toxic job back in 2018, I was burnt to a crisp. That experience, which I’ve come to think of as a rock bottom moment in my life, fundamentally changed how I think about work.
I’m not burnt out right now, not at all. But I can feel my mental muscles start to tire and atrophy. It’s time to step away from the internet and focus on my novel, my podcast and all the other things that make up a meaningful life. Soon, it will be time to take a well-earned holiday and spend my days wearing swimsuits, reading books and thinking about very, very little. I can’t wait.
I want to leave you with three invitations to get involved with my work, and a handful of my most popular posts just in case you missed them. Thanks for sticking with me through all the seasons of my creative life. I’ll be back in your inbox (with some exciting news 😉) in mid-September.
Three invitations:
Huge thanks to those who’ve already taken my survey on their experiences of sexual violence. Your feedback is invaluable to me.
If you’ve experienced sexual violence and are open to answering a few questions about it, please consider taking part. The survey is anonymous and confidential, and you can skip as many questions as you like. If you would find it useful, here is a simple grounding exercise before you start too.
I’m hard at work on future installments of my advice column. I welcome your questions on grief, trauma, relationships, mental health, writing, family, recovery or anything else that's plaguing you.
Lastly, I’m working on an exciting new project! With my pal Karina Murray, we’ve founded a Queer Connections, a new publication which seeks to celebrate the lives of queer women and non-binary people. We are open for submissions from queer women and non-binary people until the end of September.
Here are a few of the most popular essays I’ve published this year, just in case you missed them:
💕 If this piece resonated with you, please tap the heart below to help spread the word.
💬 In the comments, I welcome your reflections on rest and creativity. How do you ensure your work is sustainable? And, what does true rest look like to you?
💰If you find value in my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. For a few quid every month, you can make my career more sustainable.
Regardless, I am grateful for your time and attention.
Happy vacation! 🙌🏻🏝️