May Updates: It Gets Better, Babe
Two big stories are finally out in the world, and other things are looking up.
Hi friends.
You know when good things start happening all at once and you look back on your most recent low point and think, why did I ever believe things would never get better? That’s where I’m at now. April was a really tough month for me. I was questioning my role as a journalist, pitching into the ether, struggling with connection, and receiving little affirmation in return. Now I’m riding a high. Part of this is due to busyness. Our trip to London was dopamine straight to the veins. And a bunch of other planned trips are keeping my spirits up. But my hard work is also paying off. A handful of pitches I’m really excited about were recently accepted. I’m workshopping a few others that feel meaningful. My friendships—and my headspace around those friendships—are in a really healthy place. And even though I received a totally bogus parking ticket and Kona caught a little cough that had me worried, things are good. I’m feeling really grateful.
Maybe you’ve found yourself in a low point. I promise it will get better.
With love,
For my lovely paid subscribers: What more do you want to see more or less of from me the rest of this year? Fill out this short and sweet survey so we can make the most out of your membership. (I send these surveys out once or twice a year so this is your chance!)
Latest Stories
I wrote a piece for Trails Magazine about the contractor behind Recreation.gov, the platform we use to book campgrounds and enter lotteries on federally-managed public land. It dives into the background behind the platform and raises questions about fees and access. You can only read the piece in print, so subscribe to get your copy before they’re all gone. You can also catch this video of my editor and me debriefing this story.
My story about mental health in mountain towns was published by Women’s Health Magazine. I worked months to capture data on an experience known as the Paradise Paradox—how living in a beautiful setting doesn’t heal all your problems and can sometimes lead to even more. Of course there are other perspectives here. This is only one, but one that’s often overlooked. I’m really happy it’s out in the world, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Life Lessons Learned From Campfire Skits: This piece is about how overnight camp taught me to not take myself so seriously (Outside)
Plus, for Honing Her Craft, I created a guide to my favorite places in Portland and a two-part travelogue of my week in London
Monthly Curiosities
Reading: Both finished on a plane, I enjoyed Little Rabbit by Alyssa Songsiridej and The Woman from Uruguay by Pedro Mairal. I’m now working on Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron.
Listening: I love absolutely everything from Ann Friedman, and in this podcast interview, she reveals her generous and thoughtful curation process. “The algorithm doesn't really get it. The big motivation for me is: humans just do stuff better. Some things just can't be automated.”
Collecting: I can’t wait to get this giant print by Ty Williams framed locally.
Making: I made the Clo Bias Skirt by Soften Studios in a medium weight black linen/cotton blend just in time for our trip to London. I’ll be making more.
Mixing: This avocado mint mocktail was more delicious than I expected.
Cooking (or preparing, rather): This tangy cucumber salad is a summer staple.
Pondering: “If you let your clothes serve as a map, they can uncover thoughts, feelings, and desires that you may not yet have another language for. And at the core, this is what fashion and style is, right? A wordless language. Maybe there is some comfort to be had in your clothes keeping you vaguely anonymous in a world where Google search sure won’t.” —
Planning: I’m spending 24 hours in Copenhagen and looking for recs. Comment below with your favorite things to do there!