Joy: how do I add more of it into my life? That’s what I’m thinking about this morning as I dig into my pancakes. I love pancakes, but I never make them anymore. I don’t know why. They’re easy, delicious. I was once known for my pancakes, courtesy of a secret ingredient I won’t put on the internet, but will share with you if you ask. Pancakes— such a simple thing and yet the joy I’m getting eating these babies?
I’ve heard joy can be an act of resistance, but also survival. That’s the part I’m interested in right now. Joy as a vehicle to help get through the day. It was recently pointed out to me all the things I’m doing, and honestly, I hadn’t been aware. I’m in constant work mode. “How do you do it all?” I answered with a self-deprecating, “Well, I have no life.” It’s kind of true— I’m in a new season of my life where I’ve got more time and space than ever before. For a long time that wasn’t the case, for a long time I couldn’t even get five minutes to myself. Now, suddenly, I have so much of it. And maybe it’s because it was in such short supply for the past twenty-some years, but I decided to fill it with work, work, work. Like I’m trying to make up for lost time. In some ways, I am. Trying, that is. I feel this urgency for all I want to accomplish. Nothing is in my way anymore. So I’m hurling forward, full speed ahead.
And I’ve been super efficient. Joyful? Not so much.
So here we are nearing the end of another year, Mars is in retrograde, today is the winter solstice, and I’m reviewing how I’ve been approaching work (writing very much included) as I look ahead to 2025. Early conclusion: I need more joy. More space for fun. Play as an antidote for all the work, work, work.
Confession: I don’t know how to do that anymore. It’s been forever since I’ve let myself play. Even with words. I’m all business over here. No party in the back. But I hear the solstice is an excellent time to make intentions. Mine: play more.
My math skills are terrible, but I’m pretty sure more play equals more joy.
Plus more pancakes. And coffee. And music. And making time to read for pleasure again. (More on that below.)
I also think connection fosters joy. Amy and I had the idea to try to attempt more connection within this little Substack community: a virtual writing session. All are welcome. We’ll jump on Zoom, say hi, then we turn off our cameras and write together for 40-ish minutes. You can use it for accountability to make progress on a writing project, or as an opportunity to just play around with words and have fun on the page. And because I’m a sucker for intention setting for a new year, we’ll host this community writing session on January 1st at 10am CST. It’s free and low-key, promise. You can sign up here and will get an email with the Zoom link that morning.
Reading Recommendations
I can’t do justice to this section of the newsletter since I haven’t really been reading, at least not anything that’s been published (yet!) that I can link to. It’s been ages since I’ve read a book for no other reason than because I wanted to, sadly. Here’s to reading for pleasure again in 2025!
But I have two online recommendations that caught my eye since my last reading round-up, both by authors we previously interviewed here:
Victoria Buitron published a gorgeous essay dealing with divorce, “Tidal Seasons,” in South 85 Journal. (You can check out our mini interview with Victoria here.)
I dropped everything when I saw a new Vanessa Cuti story was out. I loved “High Sun”, which was published a while ago, but just became available online. (And here’s our mini interview with Vanessa.)
This song title doesn’t work for the post, only the way the weather has been lately: a mix of (very) cold and (pretty) mild. But I just discovered Nora Decter’s music is available on Spotify and needed an excuse to link it. Apparently Nora isn’t only supremely talented as a writer, but as a musician as well. (One last mini interview to link to— we also interviewed Nora here earlier this year.) What’s Not Mine remains my very favorite novel published in 2024.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and happy solstice! <3
I recently made "pancakes" by mixing two eggs with a banana - interesting twist. What was your secret touch?
Hi, Rachel! I honestly can't remember how we connected, but I really related to what you were saying here, especially the "can't remember when I just played." I have recently started playing a favorite MMORPG again, and I can tell I had not logged in for over a year—and before that for months I only logged in long enough to register presence so I didn't get kicked out of my guilds. Sad! I may have a time conflict, but I have signed up for the writing session. Thank you for this!
P.S. Not that I ever make pancakes any more, but I confess to curiosity about the secret ingredient. Wondering if it's something legal. lol.