Farewell, “Naddy’s Newsletter.”

Hello, fellow creatives!

Remember when I challenged myself mid-last year to produce a weekly newsletter consecutively for 52 weeks?  

Well, you are currently reading newsletter #52.

WHOO-HOO, I did it!! Cue the fireworks!

Naturally, it is time to retire… wait, what?

After years of finding excuses to postpone this newsletter, it finally launched in February 2023 (shortly after my one-year WRITERVERSARY). I still remember the day I hit SEND on my first newsletter.  I nearly threw up. I was terrified. I created a fake fear bubble about the newsletter being a complete failure. I pushed the fear aside. The good news is: 1) I didn’t puke, and 2) I was eager to send out the second one. 

A year and 97 subscribers later, I continue to work alongside my creative fears and find joy in each newsletter.

As mentioned last week, I plan to establish writing intentions for 2024. To move beyond my past, I need to leave some of it behind. After much consideration, I have decided to retire "Naddy's Newsletter."

Please, no tears (or applause from the frenemies in the house)!

I needed to resurrect “Naddy’s Newsletter” from the ashes it laid upon. It served me for those who remembered and enjoyed my writing in the 1990s and 2000s.  It was an easy way to get back into an older version of my writing groove… the “good” groovy parts!

I did not decide to let go of “Naddy” lightly. After reflecting on a year of newsletter writing, I was able to put my experience into perspective and gain valuable insights:

✨There's no right or wrong way to start on a creative path. I could have launched the newsletter differently. I could have created a blog or a website first. I could have used a different newsletter platform. I could have decided to avoid social media or old contacts pre-launch. Instead, I followed my gut, removed the “could haves,” and took the first step. This newsletter launched the way it intended to.

✨I enjoy capturing my thoughts every day. I continue to LOVE writing and recording the multitude of ideas waiting to be born. Many of these ideas are used (or will be used) for newsletter posts. Each newsletter motivates me to write more. 

✨The traditional type of NICHE is not for me… yet. One thing that held me back from starting the newsletter was the whole NICHE thing.  Because I chose not to NICHE down on a specific topic, I am free to explore many avenues along my path. Some may say my niche is sharing my writing journey (while I prefer to call it “LIFE SHOWCASING”). As mentioned before, I am more than BASIL.

✨Goals can suck when you don't know what you're doing. Goals mean different things to different people. They can be a deterrent when creative targets are not clear. Instead of 2024 writing goals or resolutions, I plan to create INTENTIONS to align with living in the present moment.  

✨I explored and embraced the unknown despite my fears. I used to say, “I don't know where I'm going,” to make myself feel better about… not knowing where I was going! It was a phrase I repeated for comfort and to defend where I thought I was - an undefined writing destination.  I will make better efforts to avoid this phrase to define where I am. None of us know where we're going all of the time, even when we think we do. The unknown used to terrify me.  Today, I am more open to experimenting and exploring outside my comfort zone. 

✨Specific fears no longer hold the reigns. Social media is one example of a fear bubble that once consumed me. Today, I love being at X / Twitter High.  I wish to share with as many people as possible, which means being open to other platforms. Some fear bubbles have diminished in size or disappeared altogether.  I am learning to work alongside my fears while on this path.

✨Words are more powerful than I initially gave them credit for. Words took me away from writing, and words brought me back. My words… and yours, too! Each time you provide feedback, positive or negative, I learn to process it without making it personal. I will never be everyone's cup of tea, mainly because I am a coffee girl. We all have unique tastes. Do you like my coffee? Cool. Too bitter for you? Not enough sugar? Avoiding caffeine? Lactose intolerant? That's ok, too. I need to know. Constructive feedback helps me to become a better writer and human. Feedback will not deter me from this journey. I am also more mindful of the feedback I push out to others. Yay to WORDS!

With all that said, it is finally time to let go.

I have openly shared how and why I’ve held back from writing due to my creative past experiences.  The past is gone. I am working hard to live in the present.  I cannot continue to share my current journey if I hold onto past hurts that no longer serve me.  If words hold power, the only way to heal from this process is to retire “Naddy’s Newsletter”… the NAME.

I held onto the name initially to acknowledge my past. I’ve done this. It’s refreshing to move away from past hurts and give thanks to previous experiences. 

I will continue to write newsletters. I am changing the title to “WRITE FROM MY GUT ~ The Newsletter.” 

I may adjust the frequency - two newsletters per month rather than weekly - and will keep you posted when I finalize my writing intentions.

Creatives explore the best methods to capture their visions and growth in their journey. I was conflicted about sharing my growth and living in the present while holding on tightly to the past.  I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes. The old me would become tangled in multiple fear bubbles, taking writing feedback personally and eventually quitting. The OLDER me listens to all comments, gives thanks, and moves on while trying to comprehend where my fears stemmed from.  

Farewell, ol’ “Naddy’s Newsletter.” We shared great memories. 

I can finally WRITE FROM MY GUT.

Thank you for joining me at this milestone, fellow creatives.

Nadine