Hello beautiful souls old and new.
I have been writing here on Substack for one year now. I started writing here last year as a place to share my poetry, mental laminations, and well anything I fucking felt like really…
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all of you!
Thank you so much to the folks who subscribed from the very beginning and have been with me through this whole year. Your consistent support has given me the confidence to keep doing this month after month.
I want to give a special thank you to the folks who have interacted with the writing; who comment and like. It lets me know what’s resonating, what you’re jiving with, and helps others find my work. 🥳
& of course I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the ppl who are NEW, who pay for the subscription, and for those who are out there sharing my work with others! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a reader supported newsletter and all the ways you support this platform means so much.
Seriously, thank you! How many times can I say that before we get to the point (50?)
Because it’s been a year, and I don’t know you I’d love to hear: where are you from, what brings you to this corner of the internet, and what’s your favorite animal? 🦒 🦓 👀
Also let me re-introduce myself
My name is Jem. I’m 28 and I’m stuck in that weird zone where I’m not quite a millennial but I am definitely not GEN Z. I live and write in Richmond, VA. I’m really into gardening, cooking, thrifting, and sun slugging.
I’m seeking to define who I am, while also de-constructing who I am, and finding solace in detaching from outcomes. At least, that’s a summary of the work I’m doing at the moment. 😅
I have a doggo named June whom I adore, a husband named Cody (whom you’ll meet soon ~wink, wink~), three cats, and a bunch of plant babies. 🪴 My favorite animals are whales 🐋 but not orcas those beasts are BEASTS and they appear in my nightmares. Any insights on that one? Anyone?
I am also a mama. For those who don’t know, I started this blog (is it a blog 🤔) last year after the stillbirth of my daughter, Pancha. Today is or would be her one year birthday. She was the one who gave me the idea to do support + guidance work called How To Be A Whale while I was pregnant with her.
So, when she passed, I decided to create HTBAW into as a consistent writing. My intention here is to share the internal work I am doing or I am helping others to do in the hope that it will help you to do your own work.
** In this case, “work” means the space we are making inside of ourselves to live in integrity with the world and nature. **
Anyways... hello! Thanks for being here. Here’s to another year together. What do you want a post on next? What silly questions do you have for God? 🥂
Love ya 💓
Jem
How To Be A Whale is a free newsletter. If you love it, consider supporting it financially. For $4.44/mo, you’ll gain access to “How To Be A Whale” coaching entries, podcast episodes, poetry and the occasional astrology breakdown. My work here is reader-supported, hence the lack of ads and sponsors. Thank you! I am so happy you are here!
Currently, my favorite animals are elephants. Although I like all animals so my favorite is likely to change :)