I’m so glad you keep writing. And I relate to so much of what you’ve written. Education around women’s bodies is essential! It’s not peripheral and it’s definitely not something that should be banned. 🤬 I just watched turning red with my girls this weekend and remembered how much internet rage there had been when it first came out. I was completely baffled. Many parents were offended because they didn’t want their “boys” learning about periods at such “an early age” - unbelievable. Please don’t hear this as unsolicited advice, but have you ever thought about doula training? My friend does it and has also invested a lot of time into fertility/hormone education for the pre/postnatal moms that she helps. ❤️
Thank you, as always, for reading, Lindsey! I had no idea there was internet backlash over Turning Red. Now I’m intrigued to watch it… I actually really appreciate you mentioning doula work. That was something I considered a while ago but I think I need to look over the full breath of work within this world of things. Love the sound of what your friend does. We need more people doing that!
Yes, as doulas there is a lot we can do within the scope of providing “evidence-based information” as they say in our certifications. More and more people are becoming familiar with the role, too, compared with when I started a decade ago, and that makes it all the easier to find clients and also to get respect from other “professionals” surrounding women’s work.
Also, I’m so sorry you experienced the troll comments on your medium article. It is scary to write vulnerably in general, but you’re right - the internet is terrifying. I also agree with you about the notes feature. Yikes, not for me. Your Easter table was beautiful and I would’ve talked periods with you if I had been sitting across it!
Speaking about striving, hustling, and going at your own pace struck a cord with me.
This is topic that needs ruminated on, especially in our society today. We glorify work and put hustling on a pedestal.
I am (re) starting my small business again shortly and this was exactly what I needed as I prepare.
Thank you for sharing and showing up- your writing is impactful and I do think there is space and necessity for writing about menstrual cycles, seasonal changes, and living cyclically.
Thank you for reading, Kelsey! I found myself continuing to think about striving and hustling after I finished this essay so there will be likely more to come. I would love to hear your thoughts then, particularly as you re-start a business. Wishing you well with that venture!
There’s plenty of time and space to home in on what you care to write about. When I first started on Substack my topic was so broad: just the science around natural living choices I was making at the time. Over time, I’ve honed in more and more on the topic within that larger topic that really interests me, and finding it’s really spending Time in Nature. Circadian rhythms of course completely depend on this, so that’s my “bucket.” I wasn’t even really writing for families or focused on the birthing year when I started, which I find so strange in hindsight how I had compartmentalized this writing project away from my work as a doula. The more I have niched down, the better the response has been (even from older folks, grandparents, who are out of this time themselves, but still find it interesting to reflect upon--which was a big surprise to me!). As I narrowed the focus, I worried about alienating my original readers, but for every one I have lost, many more have joined in.
And all this is true even, as you described with yourself, though my interest and ability to publish also waxes and wanes. So far, every winter has been a struggle, while every fall has been very productive.
I’ve enjoyed the essays of yours that I’ve caught, and am curious how all this will shake out for you. Keep in touch!
I’m so glad you keep writing. And I relate to so much of what you’ve written. Education around women’s bodies is essential! It’s not peripheral and it’s definitely not something that should be banned. 🤬 I just watched turning red with my girls this weekend and remembered how much internet rage there had been when it first came out. I was completely baffled. Many parents were offended because they didn’t want their “boys” learning about periods at such “an early age” - unbelievable. Please don’t hear this as unsolicited advice, but have you ever thought about doula training? My friend does it and has also invested a lot of time into fertility/hormone education for the pre/postnatal moms that she helps. ❤️
Thank you, as always, for reading, Lindsey! I had no idea there was internet backlash over Turning Red. Now I’m intrigued to watch it… I actually really appreciate you mentioning doula work. That was something I considered a while ago but I think I need to look over the full breath of work within this world of things. Love the sound of what your friend does. We need more people doing that!
You definitely should try it - it’s so cute!
Yes, as doulas there is a lot we can do within the scope of providing “evidence-based information” as they say in our certifications. More and more people are becoming familiar with the role, too, compared with when I started a decade ago, and that makes it all the easier to find clients and also to get respect from other “professionals” surrounding women’s work.
Also, I’m so sorry you experienced the troll comments on your medium article. It is scary to write vulnerably in general, but you’re right - the internet is terrifying. I also agree with you about the notes feature. Yikes, not for me. Your Easter table was beautiful and I would’ve talked periods with you if I had been sitting across it!
Folks like you are why I haven’t given up on the internet yet. There *can* be kindness, sharing and connection here.
Speaking about striving, hustling, and going at your own pace struck a cord with me.
This is topic that needs ruminated on, especially in our society today. We glorify work and put hustling on a pedestal.
I am (re) starting my small business again shortly and this was exactly what I needed as I prepare.
Thank you for sharing and showing up- your writing is impactful and I do think there is space and necessity for writing about menstrual cycles, seasonal changes, and living cyclically.
Thank you for reading, Kelsey! I found myself continuing to think about striving and hustling after I finished this essay so there will be likely more to come. I would love to hear your thoughts then, particularly as you re-start a business. Wishing you well with that venture!
There’s plenty of time and space to home in on what you care to write about. When I first started on Substack my topic was so broad: just the science around natural living choices I was making at the time. Over time, I’ve honed in more and more on the topic within that larger topic that really interests me, and finding it’s really spending Time in Nature. Circadian rhythms of course completely depend on this, so that’s my “bucket.” I wasn’t even really writing for families or focused on the birthing year when I started, which I find so strange in hindsight how I had compartmentalized this writing project away from my work as a doula. The more I have niched down, the better the response has been (even from older folks, grandparents, who are out of this time themselves, but still find it interesting to reflect upon--which was a big surprise to me!). As I narrowed the focus, I worried about alienating my original readers, but for every one I have lost, many more have joined in.
And all this is true even, as you described with yourself, though my interest and ability to publish also waxes and wanes. So far, every winter has been a struggle, while every fall has been very productive.
I’ve enjoyed the essays of yours that I’ve caught, and am curious how all this will shake out for you. Keep in touch!
Thank you for this encouragement, Nikko! I love your newsletter, so it’s good to get a peek into how that has developed for you.