I love that you're writing to share and build a community without making the *whole* thing be about readership growth and blue ticks and all that stuff. It really sucks the joy out of things we love doing.
Also, I had a facepalm moment when I read this post and saw your room tour video because when I read your fiction chapter last week, I thought to myself: "How does she know so much about rigs? She must have researched that quite a lot!" silly me!
Side note - I know tomorrow is the last day of Ramadan, but is it just me feeling like it came and went, like waaayyy too fast?? How can I already be missing it?!
"I like writing these posts for free, sharing my thoughts with a small community of people who care, rather than providing a ‘service’ that feels transactional and profit-focused." Me too babe. Me too.
Isn't it so much more freeing? Though, it's tough to continue to resist the push, sometimes. So much of the design is about monetizing, professionalising...pushing back is a job all on its own!
Great piece Yassmin. I have yet to comment on your writing because I'm taking time for my brain to clear from a pretty bleh space. l It's been a "so far so good" week where jo went into hospital last Monday and is about to discharge today.
Congratulations on the national geographic piece! Personally, I think getting your work published in diverse spaces rather than only 'substacking'' for a blue follower's tick here is better for a creative brain. You describe it better. I haven't had coffee yet & I'm in a "state of impending emotion" right now, which is how early psychiatrists defined 'anxiety' .
BTW: I have discovered a really cheap tv app:
Viki Rakuten. I believe It's available in Europe too. It has the full glacially slow episodes of The 3 body problem produced in China. It also has a plethora of Asian programming. And what's really interesting about the channel is its use of different subtitles committees- who often explain nuances we are missing. I watched the first 5 eps then the last 5. It's quite (ahem) nuanced about the cultural revolution period.
I really should get up now and face the day. Thank you for the links to the Sudan activism platform, I spent last night reshaping a pro forma letter to penny Wong and while waiting for Jo today to actually discharge - I'll send one to Allegra Spender.
I send love and a heartfelt desire for a moment of peace for you, for us all. 🙏💔💜
Janet! Sorry I am only coming to this comment now, I think I missed a whole bunch in those last few days in Ramadan... thanks for sending the letters, and also for your updates on life, I hope things are going okay right now with Jo and all. Sending love. Yx
PS: I loved your blog on safety. You've been crafting your writing for such a long time it's so good!!!
I love that you're writing to share and build a community without making the *whole* thing be about readership growth and blue ticks and all that stuff. It really sucks the joy out of things we love doing.
Also, I had a facepalm moment when I read this post and saw your room tour video because when I read your fiction chapter last week, I thought to myself: "How does she know so much about rigs? She must have researched that quite a lot!" silly me!
Side note - I know tomorrow is the last day of Ramadan, but is it just me feeling like it came and went, like waaayyy too fast?? How can I already be missing it?!
I can't believe I didn't reply to this comment - I remember reading it but must be because it was Ramadan... haha. Now, it feels so far away!!
"I like writing these posts for free, sharing my thoughts with a small community of people who care, rather than providing a ‘service’ that feels transactional and profit-focused." Me too babe. Me too.
Isn't it so much more freeing? Though, it's tough to continue to resist the push, sometimes. So much of the design is about monetizing, professionalising...pushing back is a job all on its own!
Great piece Yassmin. I have yet to comment on your writing because I'm taking time for my brain to clear from a pretty bleh space. l It's been a "so far so good" week where jo went into hospital last Monday and is about to discharge today.
Congratulations on the national geographic piece! Personally, I think getting your work published in diverse spaces rather than only 'substacking'' for a blue follower's tick here is better for a creative brain. You describe it better. I haven't had coffee yet & I'm in a "state of impending emotion" right now, which is how early psychiatrists defined 'anxiety' .
BTW: I have discovered a really cheap tv app:
Viki Rakuten. I believe It's available in Europe too. It has the full glacially slow episodes of The 3 body problem produced in China. It also has a plethora of Asian programming. And what's really interesting about the channel is its use of different subtitles committees- who often explain nuances we are missing. I watched the first 5 eps then the last 5. It's quite (ahem) nuanced about the cultural revolution period.
I really should get up now and face the day. Thank you for the links to the Sudan activism platform, I spent last night reshaping a pro forma letter to penny Wong and while waiting for Jo today to actually discharge - I'll send one to Allegra Spender.
I send love and a heartfelt desire for a moment of peace for you, for us all. 🙏💔💜
Janet! Sorry I am only coming to this comment now, I think I missed a whole bunch in those last few days in Ramadan... thanks for sending the letters, and also for your updates on life, I hope things are going okay right now with Jo and all. Sending love. Yx