I admit to breathing a sigh of relief when you said there will be archive-based posts in my inbox. Your emails are a bright spot that I look forward to. Enjoy your time away from the internet. Breathe deeply and love well. I found the first summers home from college for each of my daughters to be rich times together. I hope you do too. Grace and peace.
That thing about just not being that important! It’s true. It’s sort of insulting at first and then exceptionally freeing. I hope your break is fruitful and really enjoyable.
Have a great summer. I want you to know that Grat Chat and Watcha Readin are my favorite things to see in my inbox. I know you have a plan. But can you consider setting those those up to come out monthly without you?
Bravo for you! Enjoy your break. Looking forward to the archival stuff you will send out. You will see who your “1000 true fans” are when you jump back on in the fall.
I think we should ALL take a break from all social media and news. I read recently that some Baby Boomer like me said: we were the generation who had the Golden Age in the United States. We didn't lock our doors even at night. As children we could bike anywhere in our small towns with no fear of being abducted for sex trafficking. News was factual, not opinions. Mother's were mostly homemakers and cooked/baked from scratch. Influencers were teachers or coaches at school or church. Simple life. Slower life. Bravo Tsh. I get exhausted listening to or reading about all you do! I have read you since your first book and will continue to support you. If you eventually leave the monetary pressure cooking of online presence then good for you! Not my preference but I would support you do what is best for you! Have a slow summer.
As for social media, there is only a couple that I have apps for on my phone. I don't look at them every day. Sometimes several days go by without looking at them.
This summer I plan to get caught on book reviews. I have many stacks of books to read. And learn some new crafty type of stuff. Plus, sleep late. My husband moved to second shift a couple of weeks ago, so we are both getting used to the new sleep hours.
This is one of the reasons you are my paid substack subscription. You walk the walk! This makes me trust your thoughts and perspective all the more. We all need to take a break, honestly. The stakes of everything sound so high online - even bread becomes fraught (carbs/no carbs, homemade/bakery/mass produced). Not that bread isn’t important (we actually get all the bread, depending on the season), but being online too much makes every choice feel like it has huge stakes, like “partial solutions” have to be witty and original, etc. Write your novel, build your school, walk, and live in the place God placed you. Seems like a road to wisdom to me - not the pronouncement kind, but the auntie kind. Best wishes to you.
What kind encouragement to receive, Jennifer — thank you so much! (Also, I love this phrase: "not the pronouncement kind, but the auntie kind" — that is GOLD.)
Thanks for the encouragement, Teresa! And yeesh, memorizing the Litany of Humility is truly a worthwhile prospect — I'm sure one God will honor.
The litany of humility is just wow. ❤️
Hooray! I love that you're doing this. May your time off be filled with with deepened relationships, body-mind-spirit renewal, and joy in writing.
Thank you, Robyn!
I admit to breathing a sigh of relief when you said there will be archive-based posts in my inbox. Your emails are a bright spot that I look forward to. Enjoy your time away from the internet. Breathe deeply and love well. I found the first summers home from college for each of my daughters to be rich times together. I hope you do too. Grace and peace.
I'm so glad to hear that, Becky! Yes, I'll still send you things each week, and yes, I doubt I'll regret spending focused time at home this summer.
I can't wait to see the fruits of this summer for you! You have planned this out with wisdom and intention and I'm really excited for you.
And thanks again so much for your wonderful Hearth & Field essay!
Thank you on all accounts, Dixie! Really appreciate you cheerleading my words this past year!
That thing about just not being that important! It’s true. It’s sort of insulting at first and then exceptionally freeing. I hope your break is fruitful and really enjoyable.
It really is true, isn't it?
Have a great summer. I want you to know that Grat Chat and Watcha Readin are my favorite things to see in my inbox. I know you have a plan. But can you consider setting those those up to come out monthly without you?
PS I am taking two weeks in an area without internet this summer, and I am really looking forward to it.
Your summer sounds wonderful and may it be a refreshing break! I’m looking forward to hearing about next year’s adventure!
Totally open to that idea, Christen! I'll see what I can do.
I respect this so much!
Every word!
Solidarity!
Im so excited for what you will experience this summer!! Also, I won't hesitate to sign up for next years pilgrimage 😊
I hope so! It won't be the same without you (I'll be looking around for you on this one...)
Bravo for you! Enjoy your break. Looking forward to the archival stuff you will send out. You will see who your “1000 true fans” are when you jump back on in the fall.
That's very true! Another plus.
I think we should ALL take a break from all social media and news. I read recently that some Baby Boomer like me said: we were the generation who had the Golden Age in the United States. We didn't lock our doors even at night. As children we could bike anywhere in our small towns with no fear of being abducted for sex trafficking. News was factual, not opinions. Mother's were mostly homemakers and cooked/baked from scratch. Influencers were teachers or coaches at school or church. Simple life. Slower life. Bravo Tsh. I get exhausted listening to or reading about all you do! I have read you since your first book and will continue to support you. If you eventually leave the monetary pressure cooking of online presence then good for you! Not my preference but I would support you do what is best for you! Have a slow summer.
Thanks, Marylou!
Enjoy your break, but you will be missed.
As for social media, there is only a couple that I have apps for on my phone. I don't look at them every day. Sometimes several days go by without looking at them.
This summer I plan to get caught on book reviews. I have many stacks of books to read. And learn some new crafty type of stuff. Plus, sleep late. My husband moved to second shift a couple of weeks ago, so we are both getting used to the new sleep hours.
Best wishes for your summer internet break! Hooray for you!!
Christen, they are my favorites as well. Have a great summer!
This is one of the reasons you are my paid substack subscription. You walk the walk! This makes me trust your thoughts and perspective all the more. We all need to take a break, honestly. The stakes of everything sound so high online - even bread becomes fraught (carbs/no carbs, homemade/bakery/mass produced). Not that bread isn’t important (we actually get all the bread, depending on the season), but being online too much makes every choice feel like it has huge stakes, like “partial solutions” have to be witty and original, etc. Write your novel, build your school, walk, and live in the place God placed you. Seems like a road to wisdom to me - not the pronouncement kind, but the auntie kind. Best wishes to you.
What kind encouragement to receive, Jennifer — thank you so much! (Also, I love this phrase: "not the pronouncement kind, but the auntie kind" — that is GOLD.)
Enjoy your time off! Several other comments have stated my thoughts so nicely, I have nothing better to add. Peace be with you!