I have a post-it on my desk that states "the platforms want you addicted." That includes Substack. I delete and reinstall Instagram off of my phone several times a week. Deleting again! One of my summer goals is to have it off of my phone once and for all, and to carry around a book. I have Instagram on my laptop and it's so clunky and user unfriendly and I love that. I abandon it almost immediately when I check-in there.
Bravo on leaving Big Law. I left the law entirely many years ago.
I'm glad to be back! I'm not sure I'm great with words but I'm happy to practice my writing by hyping up all the authors and books that make my life *so, so* much better.
Tara, I love this essay! Well, I don't love that the Note caused you distress, but I think you're spot on about the need for more bookish community, not less.
I always see posts about how the monthly roundups are 'showy,' but I love sharing mine and reading other readers that I connect with because it helps me discover so many authors and books.
I agree entirely with you about needing to be very careful about curating what content you see because it's so easy to get quickly overwhelmed. Navigating the online bookish world with intention and curation is the key for me to love it.
You are so kind! And wise! I wish I had reached out to you and gotten some advice after I saw that Note, instead of stewing/spiraling in my own head. Next time. :) I agree that reading roundups are helpful. Reading yours always reminds me of genres and books I want to return to!
You are a talented writer, and I enjoyed your reviews. I could relate to a career where being connected 24/7 was a reality, and the boundary around respecting personal time was virtually nonexistent. I hope you keep connecting through Substack!
I just found your Substack through The Mindful Librarian, and I am really enjoying reading through your previous essays. With that said, I would selfishly be sad if there weren't any future essays, reading recaps, etc, BUT you do what fills you up. That's all we owe to ourselves and the world.
Hi Tara! Thanks for sharing my text, and sad to hear that post also bothered you. On the up side, we both got nice texts out of it! :)
Agreed! And I'm going to be spending more time consuming long-form "content" so wins on many fronts, I think.
Yes, Substack has a lot of bookish content... but it needs *your* bookish content because no one else has your perspective!
You're too kind!! <3
I have a post-it on my desk that states "the platforms want you addicted." That includes Substack. I delete and reinstall Instagram off of my phone several times a week. Deleting again! One of my summer goals is to have it off of my phone once and for all, and to carry around a book. I have Instagram on my laptop and it's so clunky and user unfriendly and I love that. I abandon it almost immediately when I check-in there.
Bravo on leaving Big Law. I left the law entirely many years ago.
You must read the @kelsey weekman essay I linked to in the footnotes, it revolutionized the way I read (and stay off social media) :).
On it! Thank you.
I'm going to keep it short and sweet, because unlike you, I'm not great with words: I'm happy you're back :)
I'm glad to be back! I'm not sure I'm great with words but I'm happy to practice my writing by hyping up all the authors and books that make my life *so, so* much better.
Tara, I love this essay! Well, I don't love that the Note caused you distress, but I think you're spot on about the need for more bookish community, not less.
I always see posts about how the monthly roundups are 'showy,' but I love sharing mine and reading other readers that I connect with because it helps me discover so many authors and books.
I agree entirely with you about needing to be very careful about curating what content you see because it's so easy to get quickly overwhelmed. Navigating the online bookish world with intention and curation is the key for me to love it.
You are so kind! And wise! I wish I had reached out to you and gotten some advice after I saw that Note, instead of stewing/spiraling in my own head. Next time. :) I agree that reading roundups are helpful. Reading yours always reminds me of genres and books I want to return to!
You are a talented writer, and I enjoyed your reviews. I could relate to a career where being connected 24/7 was a reality, and the boundary around respecting personal time was virtually nonexistent. I hope you keep connecting through Substack!
Thank you! That is very kind!
I just found your Substack through The Mindful Librarian, and I am really enjoying reading through your previous essays. With that said, I would selfishly be sad if there weren't any future essays, reading recaps, etc, BUT you do what fills you up. That's all we owe to ourselves and the world.
You’re very kind ! I plan to keep writing, albeit sporadically, for as long as it fills me up. And to only visit notes sporadically. 🤫😀