Here Goes Nothing…

This feels like a first date.

I‘ve been putting off writing this. It seems really daunting. My FIRST post on a new platform and my third attempt at writing a consistent email newsletter (I also had one in 2016/2017 and another in 2019/2020). Maybe this one will finally stick? Only time will tell, I guess.

Fun fact: this is me and my husband, Josiah, starting our first blog right after we got married in 2016. I’d say a lot’s changed since then, but you can probably already tell. (Who let those babies own an internet page? And get married?).

Why this, why now

I’m starting to write here on Substack and will be popping into your email once a week because social media has completely burned me out. As a writer who dreams of reaching more people with my words and ideas, I’ve always felt shackled to the false god of Instagram.

“You can’t get published without an established audience,” they say. “You have to be ruthlessly present and consistent or everyone will forget about you. Oh, and you not only have to speak to your audience, but you have to figure out what the ‘algorithm’ wants to hear from you, too. Because that’s the only way people will even see your stuff.”

Pair that with constantly seeing and trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing, and it’s completely exhausting.

I’ve been mostly off of social media for about a month now, and let me tell you, it’s been GLORIOUS.

Here’s a picture of the beautiful people I get to focus on now that I’m finally spending less time doom-scrolling.

So here I am, in this algorithm-free, no-ad, non-overstimulating place. I feel content and inspired. I’m not comparing myself to anyone else. I am free to write to the people who so generously care to read my words.

And my heart is beating normally. (Oh yeah, did I mention that when I go on Instagram for even a few minutes lately, I can physically feel my heart beating faster? If social media has that impact on my physical body, I can only imagine what it’s doing to my mind and soul.)

All I know is I LOVED consistently engaging with people through my weekly email newsletter in 2019 (if you were around for that, thanks for sticking with me all this time). And I wish I had continued it. Also, it seems like the theme of my life right now is “just do it.” (Ooh, that’s a good phrase. Should I trademark it?) So I’m just going for it.

Hopefully, in this beautiful non-contaminated digital space, you’ll get my full, authentic self. We’ll get the chance to actually connect and be inspired by one another. We’ll become more human together.

The most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen—from my balcony a few weeks ago.

What You Can Expect Here

Publishing Rhythm

Since this time off social media has been so refreshing and inspiring, I’ve decided on a new social media rhythm to try out.

This Substack newsletter will go out every Tuesday (you’ll see it right in your inbox if you’re subscribed!). Then, on Wednesday, I’ll be on social media to share, engage, and catch up with people.

Then, I’ll be offline.

For the rest of the week.

(Gasp! Is that even legal?)

I hope that having only two days online will give me more space to write and create authentically and distraction-free (which will, I hope, mean that the content I’m putting out will be even more intentional and meaningful and encouraging for your life).

What will we talk about each week?

1. The Art of Being Human

In my weekly letter to you, I’ll write about all the things I’ve been writing about for years, usually falling into the categories of family, faith, creativity, dreams, and the art of being human. I’ll write about the beauty and the chaos of all of it.

I follow Jesus, but my faith has been tested and is extremely gritty. I believe down to my bones that marriage is one of the best things I’ll ever experience, but it’s also so much harder than we imagined. Motherhood is magic, but excruciatingly refining. I never want to stop pursuing my creative dreams, but I also feel stagnant and unfulfilled 85% of the time.

In this weekly letter, we’ll talk about it all. And we’ll try to make some meaning out of it as we each help beautifully shape the world from our little corners of humanity.

2. Book Progress (or lack thereof)

Also, I’m currently writing my first book (eek!!), so I’ll share weekly updates on my process. You’ll see the messy behind-the-scenes, and (if I can ever finish the darn thing) finally see the book come to life at the end of the process.

I’ll also share some exclusive insight into the book’s content, reveal the title and cover, and eventually ask for some feedback. I want to make sure that what I’m writing will actually matter to you, so I’d love to hear your thoughts as I go through the process.

Here’s my first little update in a raw (and probably way too long) video diary. Told ya we were getting unfiltered here.😅

Here’s a photo of the peaceful, comfortable place where I’ve written exactly 0.07% of the book. The rest has been written in the pitch black of the nursery to the loud hum of a sound machine with a sleeping toddler on my lap.

3. Five Faves

I’ll also just share a few things I’m doing and loving each week, from routines to products to other people’s creative works that are inspiring me. Just for fun! I love seeing what other humans are loving, so I hope you’ll find this fun, too!

First up is this beautiful handmade coffee cup I bought from a local artist. And pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on my latte. Trust me on both of them. So good.

Now real quick before we’re done with the intros, I want to know…

Alright, I think that’s it! Sound like something you want to be part of? Then you’re officially in!

Thanks for supporting me in this algorithm-free, community-oriented, creatively freeing space. I hope we can encourage each other to live a little more fully, right where we’re at.

Talk to ya on Instagram tomorrow! Much love,

Sarah

p.s., If you have a friend who might like this newsletter, feel free to share it with them! ❤️