Part one of my sanity plan
Less traditional social media, more thoughtful and joyful reading - My Substack recommendations
One by one, I’ve been deleting social media apps off my phone for the last few years. It’s been mostly to regain control over my nervous system and sanity. But let’s be honest, shit has gotten weird on a lot of these platforms lately. While I haven’t completely quit cold turkey and don’t intend to yet, I have slowly replaced some of my habits with more substantive and hopeful media - and I don’t mean hope in the toxic positivity sense.
That’s what I’ve discovered here on Substack.
The writing I find on this platform is consistently more thought-provoking, nourishing, interesting, fun, and joyful. It’s easier to offer nuance, thoughtfulness, paradox, and complexity when you have more than a sixty-second reel or 140 characters. I’ve also found a brilliant community here, which I’m so grateful for, particularly as I build my own physical community here in Paris. So, when I get the urge to doom scroll, I try to catch myself and open a new post from one of the many writers I follow here.
FWIW, I know this platform isn’t perfect. Substack’s recent post on freedom of speech cites Musk and Zuck, highlighting the cracks. I have many thoughts on this, but for now, I’m staying and continuing to be thoughtfully aware of its direction.
I also love to use its Notes feature to connect me to writers I’ve never heard of and would never see without it. But straight up, Notes is a form of social media. Personally, I find it to be more positive and less anxiety-inducing. But I’m not going to be one of those writers who praise everything on the platform and tout that I’m leaving social media only to come here and use similar tools. The world has had enough hypocritical performative declarations.
Anyhow, if reducing your time on traditional social media is part of your sanity plan, you might want to check out some new writers here! My little sister finally heeded my immensely wise big sisterly advice 😏, and has joined the Substack world. When she asked for recommendations, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share that list with you!
In no specific order, here is a list of some of my favorite newsletters and writers that I’ve found so far. I’ve tried to group them by category, but so many of these writers eclipse one definition, which is why I love their writing all the more. I’ve tried to pull a collection of writers with big and small followings, so I guarantee there’s a publication you’ve never heard of.
🫶Drop your favorite publication(s) in the comments! I’d love for this post to be an opportunity for all of us to find new publications.
I shudder when I hear the terms wellness or self-care. Maybe these publications would fall within that definition? To me, it’s more encompassing to think of it more as writing about life and tools for living well.
writes mostly about motherhood, simple living, and the small steps I’ve taken to live with more space and less clutter. She also sold most of what her family owned and traveled around Australia in a caravan!Humans Leading — , a pediatric ICU physician and friend, honestly shares her own experiences with burnout and tips for living more intentionally. I sent one of her most recent posts, “How to Cope with Uncertainty,” to my sisters and mom, and they raved about it.
Burnout Rebellion — If there is anything I can get behind right now, it’s a Burnout Rebellion. also has an amazing podcast (on Substack) with thoughtful guests discussing the real impacts of burnout. If you ask me, in this era, we will all need some tools to not only ward off burnout but identify it when it’s on the horizon.
Thyme is Honey — I’ve been raving about
’s work since I found her over on Instagram when I moved abroad. An American in Copenhagen, she focuses on sustainable productivity with a side of resistance. She just released a “Survival Guide for Authoritarianism and the Stupid Tech Broligarchy” that I’m obsessed with.Zestful Zen — I met in Beth Kempton’s Winter Writing Sanctuary and I immediately fell in love with her bite-sized sparks of joy and light every time I open a post.
Held — ’s writing is so beautiful and generous. I frequently cry reading her intimate essays.
Letters from Love with — If you haven’t read her work since Eat, Pray, Love, or Big Magic, this is such a magical place to reconnect with her work and, perhaps, begin your own Letters from Love practice.
“What is a creative life? Any life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.” - Elizabeth Gilbert. Creativity is one of my north stars to return to during this time.
Cultivating Color: I found
’s work on Instagram, and I am obsessed with her watercolor series. Her work makes me miss the Pacific Northwest, and I wish I had found it while I was still in Seattle. is an American living between the Italian countryside and the Black Forest in Germany. She is a potter, writer, artist, and designer. I’ll read anything she publishes, whether it’s about expat life, creativity, or aging.SoulStack by — if you want the most delicious writing practice, this is it! My writing has completely changed after being exposed to her work.
Amie’s Substack — If you’re an artist or creative person of any kind, you should not miss ’s writing. She offers the encouragement I often need to keep creating.
Creativity with Nature with — Rachel’s work is part mindfulness and part creativity, all through the lens of nature. She’s building a beautiful community over on her page. — If you’re curious about what it’s like to build and write on Substack, check out Claire’s work! She shares all her wisdom from building not one, but two bestselling Substacks. She also built one of the most supportive communities of Substack writers and is responsible for introducing me to many of the writers you see here.
Stories Waiting to Be Discovered (just launched!) — I met Rose when I first moved to Porto, and we immediately bonded over our love for books. She has some of the most diverse and thoughtful book recommendations. I’m thrilled she’s starting this newsletter! P.S. If you’re ever in Porto, you should stop by her wildly successful English bookstore.
I’d encourage you not to skip this section, but skip it if you must. I’ve pulled together some of my frequently read sources for all things news, politics, democracy, and analysis. Finding reliable, thoughtful, and honest news sources without the blood pressure spiking outrage is essential right now.
Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson is a daily political update contextualized through our nation’s history. In her words, “To understand the present, we have to understand how we got here.” I make an effort to never skip her posts.
Sarah Kendzior's Newsletter with
— Stunning writing reflecting on politics and social climate. I’d highly recommend her most recent post The Confluence. — “The News Not Noise Promise: We will help you separate the news you need from the outrage you can ignore. We will explain the information that matters, clearly and in context.”Emily in Your Phone — is a lawyer and previously worked as counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. She not only provides analysis, but also tangible actions you can take to promote the changes you want to see in American politics. P.S. Check out her book Democracy in Retrograde.
USA Mom in Germany - You might have seen her social media content comparing life in Germany to America. She recently joined Substack to continue bringing awareness to U.S. propaganda.
Food is nourishment, connection, history, culture, creativity. When life is dark or uncertain, I find myself retreating to the kitchen.
xoxoDorie by Dorie Greenspan — I cannot believe I only discovered Dorie from A Splendid Table podcast a few months ago. Her accomplishments are too numerous to count. She has written 14 cookbooks, co-wrote cookbooks with Julia Child and Pierre Hermé, and received five James Beard Awards, yet her writing is so approachable.
Snacks — I can’t get enough of
’s new cookbook, so I, of course, was ecstatic when I found her on Substack. She offers fun, creative, seasonal recipes that are delicious.Life’s a Feast— French-inspired recipes from an American in France. I recently shared her new piece, "The Rising Need for Comfort Food”. Food reminds us of who we are, where we’ve been, and the people we are with today.
’s writing encapsulates exactly that.A Good Table by
— I am obsessed with her seasonal, stunning recipes.My French Table with
— Classic French cooking and life in Bordeaux (one of the most famous wine regions in the world).
You’ll find many immigrants (expats) scattered throughout each of these categories, but Living Abroad focuses on writers who write primarily about their experiences. Whether you’re interested in moving overseas or want to live vicariously, I hope you find a publication for you.
The New Paris Dispatch — I’m so thankful I found
’s writing when I moved to Paris. She writes about culture, society, and the minds shaping Paris, never shying away from tough or complex topics. You should check out her new series of interviews titled On Leaving America.Living Elsewhere — I find
’s sense of humor (see “João Is Driving in His Car, and European in Your Pants”) about expat life refreshing. I highly recommend his writing to anyone looking to move overseas.Musings and Wanderings — A fellow Seattlite highlights her daily living in Lisbon, Portugal.
Kiss Me on Tulips — Day-to-day life in Southern Italy, oh, and she also quit her job in tech for her European dream adventure.
Under the Influence by Jo Piazza — While I anxiously await her next novel on TradWives, I’ll enjoy some of her thought-provoking essays on topics such as Little House on the Prairie, masculine energy, and all things trad wives.
Tea Notes — I don’t know where to place
’s writing. It’s partly poetry, partly social and political, and a large dose of anti-consumerism, but it is always stunning writing.Strong — In Lisbeth’s own words: “Strong is a newsletter for people who are thinking, ‘Fuck. How am I going to get through this life?’”
Okay, I’m cutting myself off. I could keep going and guarantee I’ve missed some favorites. What started as a note to my sister has hopefully ended as a fun collection where you can find a new spark of interest.
I hope we all find joy, peace, resiliency, creativity, inspiration, and sanity during these times.
Until next time,
✨P.S. Don’t forget to add your favorite Substacks in the comments. I can’t wait to see what inspires you.
Thank you so much for including me in this wonderful list, we all need a sanity plan at the moment and you've drawn up a very comprehensive one I'm honoured to be part of.
Such a fantastic list here! Thank you for reading and including me!