Welcome to my third newsletter! I titled today’s newsletter, “Change of Heart,” after a cheesy 90s dating game show I watched in college. I cringe at YouTube clips of it now because why did I love it so much? With that, today’s theme is CHANGE.
Your Pep Talk 💪🏽
Change is hard. To me, it feels like the ground is constantly moving. I’ve said to my husband Brendan during quarantine, “I can’t do this any more.”
But listening to Ibram X. Kendi talk about how growth and change is part of being human, I realize we have the resources to change within us.
Baby steps though.
Here’s what I do: I set a reminder that pops at 11am every day that says, “I thrive on being challenged.” I picked those words specifically to remind me that when I am pushed, I grow. When I became a twin mom, in those early days, I felt like I had no idea what I was doing.
Twin motherhood was literal baby steps for me. Embracing my full messiness and mistakes and showing up anyway.
Try this: Set a daily reminder on your phone. Maybe it’s, “There’s more than enough time.” Or “I’ve got this!” Because you do.
My Latest News 📝
It’s scary to share this, but here we go: I’m writing a new young adult rom-com book. No, I don’t have a book deal (yet). My YA contemporary novel is out on submission, meaning 11 editors are considering it. I spent 4 years working on that one that landed me my fantastic literary agent, Caitie Flum. But now, I’m ready to write something new and comedic, which is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H for me. My goal is to finish a first draft by December. I’ll keep you posted!
Check Out This... 😍
ALBUM: “This is Not Chaos,” by Sebastian Blue. My writing teacher’s 17-year-old son made this album and it makes me happy. “Let’s Play Doctor” is my fave song.
ARTICLE: This stunning, achingly written personal essay for Vanity Fair by novelist Jesmyn Ward left me shook for days.
PODCAST: The Moth Radio Hour, “Change of Heart” episode. Listen to Black writer (and woman who writes the best Facebook posts) Andrea Collier share how she had a change of heart about her son. It’s a witty, heartwarming story.
NONPROFIT: Teenager Jacob Cramer started this beautiful letter-writing campaign for seniors in assisted-living facilities. Write and send messages of care to Love for Our Elders and they’ll be given to older folks.
I'm Grateful For... ❤️
The sidewalk chalk art in my neighborhood. Pre-wildfires, I went for weekly jogs in my neighborhood. Art like this one instantly lifted my mood.