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"I'm not the next Joan Didion, and I'm okay with that. [...] I'm the first of me, but to my own surprise, it's much more difficult to come to terms with that."
Every word I write is a victory over my impostor syndrome. It's always telling me my writing should be different. Less like me, more like other, much more successful online writers. Seeing how many of those writers aspire to be like Joan Didion, I felt like I was doing something wrong in not wanting to be like her. My doubts and fears about (not) being like Didion turned into a Substack post that struck a chord with others, and myself. For once, I was proud of something I'd written. I hope you'll give it a chance and a read too 🖤
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"I don't care if you think your writing is shit," she told me. "It's probably amazing and if you die before I do, I'm going to publish your work. Like Max Brod did for Kafka."
We were sixteen years old and I was mortified by the idea of anyone reading my stories. Reluctantly, I started handing handwritten pages to my closest friends. We all have to start somewhere.
12 years later, I'm still as anxious and insecure about my writing as I was back then, but the group of friends in my corner has grown. They don't care much about writing, but cheer me on every step of the way. Without them, I would have given up in writing a long time ago. They truly are the Brod to my Kafka 🖤
Sep 21, 2024
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not only do i have two sizable papers due, but i decided to post on my substack (not so subtle plug for lesbiankeeping)
i've never been a strong writer, but i find that pretending that i like to write leads me to actually liking it
Apr 8, 2024
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definitely just changed things for me in a very real way
Feb 14, 2025
Top Recs from @envy
I'm a July baby. Growing up, I spent most of my birthdays alone. Some years because my friends had left the country. Some years because I'd left the country. Some years because I had no friends. And with every year passing, the pressure to spend my birthday surrounded by friends and family and to have a good time increased. Every year I felt like a failure when I couldn't make it happen. So I stopped telling people it's my birthday.
But today is my 28th birthday.
Jul 17, 2024
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I hadn't seen my friend since New Year's Eve. Now it was October, her wedding day, and she barely gave me the chance to gush over her gorgeous dress, her makeup, her jewelry.
"You look happier," she said. "Your energy has changed. It's much calmer now. I'm happy for you."
I love her for taking the time out of her special day to notice me like that.
Oct 13, 2024
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"If the two of you are so good together, why don't you make a move?" my friend asked me in a dream about the guy I was ever so slowly falling for. Those words echoed through my mind for months, from the first date till the final breakup.
Jun 14, 2024