Welcome to Joy Ride, a monthly dose of joy, good things, creativity prompts, and gratitude by journalist and author Jennifer Chen. If you like it, please share this newsletter with someone who might like it too.
Your Pep Talk ☮️
I must admit I wrestled with how to find joy right now, but after conversations with friends over the past few days, the only thing I can share is a quote from educator Mariame Kaba who said, “Hope is a discipline.”
I’ve been hanging onto those four words, texting those words to friends, and reminding myself daily that to feel hope is to work toward it.
What makes feel hopeful: tiny, sweet moments with strangers. I’ll share one that made me tear up with joy. I went grocery shopping. I saw a Black dad, holding a wiggly Golden Doodle puppy, while his toddler daughter with a yellow bow in her hair trotted alongside him. I said, “That is too much cuteness!” He laughed. A woman across the aisle chimed in, “You can’t help but smile, right?”
I hope that in your corner of the world that you have a sweet moment that brings you hope when you least suspect it.
My Latest News 📝
I penned an essay for TODAY: “What three drag queens taught me about parenting my trans kid.”
For SELF, I wrote about lessons dads learned during the pandemic and talked to author Fariha Róisín about the wellness industry.
My YA manuscript is now a bound uncorrected copy! My baby is growing up into a real book!!! (Photo credit: My fantastic editor)
PS. I’ll be on the Great Pop Culture Debate, discussing the Best 90s RomCom. Vote for your favorite here!
Check Out This... 💗
ESSAY: I love a personal essay that makes me feel better after reading it. “Our World Must Embrace Neurodiverse Children Like Mine,” by Eric Smith is just that kind.
BROADWAY SHOW: If you can see A Strange Loop, I highly recommend this heartbreaking and hilarious musical about a fat Black gay man trying to write a musical.
MOVIE: I can’t sum up Everything, Everywhere All at Once, but I can say that it left me feeling hopeful.
ORGANIZATION: Consider donating to All-Options National, which offers unbiased resources for pregnancy, abortion, adoption, and parenting.
I'm Grateful For... ✈️
Travel! I took a real vacation with my family during the first two weeks of June. We went to NYC to visit family, friends, and meet my agent, editor, and her editorial assistant (a dream come true!). Then, we traveled to Annecy, France, for an animation festival to premiere Brendan’s show, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. Yes, Annecy is that beautiful!