Hi Mika, what a wonderful introduction to your Substack and you 💖
I am currently on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment, and am really just beginning to piece together the jigsaw of my life. When I reflect on the struggles I've had, it makes absolute sense to me. I feel seen for the first time ever, but I also mourn for the life I might have had if this had been picked up in my teens.
I found my way to Substack via Beth Kemptons's Winter Writing Sanctuary. It's taking some getting used to, but I think I'm getting the hang of it bit by bit.
Lovely to connect with you. I look forward to reading more of your posts 🥰
Oh Susie, I am so excited for this path ahead. I felt exactly the same way. I burst out crying after getting the diagnosis. I was so hard on myself for something that was out of my control. I know we want the golden pill to make everything better, but the truth is, we will still be us, we just have to find strategies that work and be a lot kinder to ourselves. Thank you for your kind words!
Yes, I can totally understand why you cried at your diagnosis. It's a relief as much as anything else.
When we know better, we can do better. Understanding ourselves and knowing the reasons why we do things is so incredibly healing. I feel like I have been able to love and forgive myself for many years of failing at life. Now I know, I wasn't failing, I was surviving, and that makes me so very proud of myself. You should be, too ❤️
Reading both of your posts (Susie & Mika) makes me think about my own life. Wondering now if I should get an ADHD assessment. Honestly, this life has been a struggle. I can never focus and it seems I’m always bouncing all over the place. Starting and stopping things and never really accomplishing anything. Failing at life or just surviving. Love the beautiful words you both spoke here. So kind and encouraging. Glad to have found this piece of the Substack World.
Hi Susie, Mika and MahoganyLit 👋 I’m new here and just read your words. I was dx with ADHD in Nov 2022, aged 52 and more recently discovered I’m also ASD. It’s a wild ride and a huge adjustment, where everything changes, yet nothing changes, all at the same time! For what it’s worth, I’ve discovered how powerful self-compassion and forgiveness are, as well as how vital it is to honour the little version of you who wasn’t fully seen. Almost 2 years on, I’m a happier soul… my brain is unpredictable and I still struggle with Adulting and Peopling, but knowing why changes your life. Wishing you peace as you journey down this new path 💓
Hi Mika, I love everything about this post and I love learning about you. I'm Kelsey. I'm in the States. I'm an Energy Alignment Coach, Human Design Guide, House Therapist, Triathlete, Nutrition nerd, nature-lover, and dog mom. And I also quit my job with no plan (years ago). I was working as a marine biologist for the government. They offered me a promotion and I quit instead. I'm so proud of that younger version of me. And I was diagnosed with ADHD in college--and then started learning about Human Design 6 years ago and now I know that what they called ADHD is really just me being a Manifesting Generator with gate 5, a defined root, active digestion and a few other things. It's all perfect and fabulous and exactly how I want to be me.
I’m an ADHDer too… well actually, I recently discovered I’m an AuDHDer!! I love HD and love that it shared two letters with ADHD, because I know a swathe of ADHD peeps are mani-gens. I’m trained in chinese medicine and this throws a fascinating light on these brain differences too. In HD terms, I’m an emo gen and don’t do so well with fast-paced manifestor energy. Knowing about the add-on of ASD shines a light on this. I have to feel things to know them, and wait for the initial excitement of an invitation to diminish before I say yes!!
Ohhh I'm excited to have found you here. I'm a 5/1 MG (although I don't know too much about HD at this point, as astrology is my specialty) and can relate to a lot of what you wrote here. I'm looking forward to following you and learning more about Human Design 😍
I love this, Mika!! It's been nice to start getting to know you through your posts, and this one is really inspiring. I, too, left a job (a couple of times) with much uncertainty, but it was the best decision I've made each time. And I'm heading to Japan in March 😍 I giggled when I read about your hubby speaking better Japanese than you. I'm curious, did he learn the language because of you?
What a great time to visit Japan! I’m so jealous. My hubby learned the language when he lived there for a couple of years. We connected when he come back to NZ and I must say, my mum loves being able to speak Japanese to him!
If you wouldn’t mind sharing a bit of your back story here, that would be great. I just love that you had time to ponder on your Substack name and changed it to “Loving the Dark Parts”. 💕
Unleashing the hold of shame and regret over our dark parts is so life changing!!
Aww I love that. I'm particularly interested because I'm an expat living in Thailand (I'm Canadian). I have a Thai partner and his mom doesn't speak English, so I'm really interested in hearing the stories and reasons why people learn languages and how they use it to connect with others. Thank you for sharing 🥹 I can imagine him speaking Japanese just deepens the connection with your mom and your culture—that's pretty special.
A bit of backstory on me: I was born and raised in Canada and always knew I would live away from home. I grew up in a small town and couldn't wait to explore the world. I finally got the chance (or rather, took the chance) to move away in 2016 when my life completely changed after a breakup with the guy I thought I would spend my life with. I quit my corporate job, sold my belongings, and cleared up any debt I had with the intention of travelling Australia for a year before returning to Canada—except it's been almost 8 years and I'm still on my own path with no intention of returning to Canada anytime soon. I've been living in Thailand for about 7 of those years and have since started my own business that's more aligned with my goals in helping others feel confident to follow their heart, too.
Thank you for reading a bit about my journey. More recently, as you've read a bit about, I've been on a journey of sobriety which is where "Loving the Dark Parts" truly was birthed from, because it was only when I was ready to face those parts on myself through learning astrology, therapy, and living a more mindful life that I started to embrace my whole self. I really believe that's where our magic lies. ✨
I love that so much. Once we come out the other side, we want to be that friend to that person to shortcut the pain or at least be with them through it.
That’s how I feel about my ADHD journey. I thought something was wrong with me all this time. “Why can’t I do it?” “What’s wrong with me”.
Now I’m teaching our girls to love all parts of themselves and they are now having a completely different life because of it! (Obviously, it’s a work in progress, they still have the work to contend with)
What a beautiful gift you are offering to your girls! You're planting the seeds and leading by example of self love and compassion, too! That's no small thing.
Beautiful intro, Mika! I also quit my job—somewhat unexpectedly—last year and have been embracing a new lifestyle. The journey has been a rollercoaster so far 😅 I am also a newbie here. I published my first post today! Hoooray. I am looking forward to learning with the community. Happy to connect! 💚
Hi Mika! Great hero post. I am planning to write mine this weekend. Probably. If I can truly nail down exactly what I want to be writing about!
I am 50. I have run my own business, which my husband joined after a few years, providing services to educational publishers, since 1999. I am very good at what I do, and tend to get a decent amount of work, and mostly still enjoy it BUT… I really don’t want to be doing this for another 25 years. I have been learning and growing as an illustrator and pattern designer over the last decade(ish), taking LOADS of courses and earning bits of money here and there (with 2022 and 2023 being the first years where I earned more from art than I spent on it, though that might say more about my addiction to online courses than my ability to be paid for my art!). My mission is to make illustration and pattern design my full-tier career, including a decent perennial (aka passive) income, and for writing to then become my side hustle, until they are both combined in a beautiful balance, and to the point where I can travel lots and possibly relocate to Europe, if that works for both of us, once the teens have fully flown the nest.
I am also a third-generation vegetarian and daughter of hippies (who are sadly both no longer here). I can speak French and Spanish pretty well and German, Italian and Portuguese Ok, oh and Esperanto, too, though fairly lapsed. My heart is in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean. I love to travel. I have two teenage daughters who are both very creative in different ways and genuinely a joy to hang out with (though they may not have the same opinion).
I live in The Cotswolds in the UK, in a town (Stroud) three miles from where I grew up. It’s a wonderful town, full of creative people and activists and independent shops. But sometimes I hate that so many people here have known me since I was young, because how is it ever possible to reinvent yourself then.
I wrote (and made some money from) a parenting blog (wahm-bam.org) for about a decade, until drawing took over as my main focus and the thing I absolutely have to do every day. I have written about 15 unfinished novels over the span of my life and 0 finished ones. I hope to change that final figure one day!
I am atheist/agnostic, feminist, pacifist, left-wing and in favour of open borders, universal basic income, and peace, and I will stand up for everyone’s right to define their own gender and sexuality and to live and love as they want to.
So so lovely to get to know you better Tasha. I love that you have so many interests and that you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity! Our second season without our kids are going to be so interesting. I would love to be a bit of nomad and enjoy the world a bit more. Our youngest is 17, but we still have a 21 and 19 at home too. I know this chapter of our life is coming to an end…which is kind of funny because it feels like THAT is my life. So excited to see all your dreams come to life Tasha.
Hi Mika! It was a pleasure to read about you. My name is Ami and I am a Substack newbie (going into week three). I write Finding inner pizza. I write about musings and observations on happiness and finding joy. My goal is to bring a smile to someone. I would love for you to take a slice and share your opinion. Have a most marvelous weekend.
Hello from the midwest! hope to connect with other mothers and writers who are writing to get through the cold winter months ^_^ I started a romance novel late last year and am currently on substack to document the writing journey and share narrative essays along the way! definitely need to figure out the hero post thing. this one is excellent!
Mika! Finally I saw your face! I love your energy, preading your positive vibration online!
((silly question, tho, since I rarely read posts about writing on Substack: what is a hero post?))
I'm currently on a journey in healing my body and past-trauma somatically, been up and down for weeks, low energy on social media (hence, only writing long posts on Substack).
Curious to explore NZ, hopefully I'd have the time this year!
Hello, hello! I am in the middle of the US - in Indiana. After migrating around the Midwest for university and graduate school and academia, I switched careers in midlife. From an academic with specialization in family and aging (I once came to Melbourne to talk to Australia's family court judges about the 'new' divorce law...that was the most distant trip I took of all my international journeys...so I've been in your 'neighborhood'), I turned into an ordained clergy person! Then, I migrated around Indiana until I retired (to work in the non-profit sector), retired again (to teach as an adjunct faculty in Sociology AND Fundamentals of Public Speaking), and now I am writing and painting and politicking in my latest retirement! Parent of 3, stepparent of 3, grandparent of 5, I live with my husband and Glen of Imaal Terrier, Rocky.
My Substack is Somewhen, a memoirish thing, and I am new at it. Looking forward to learning more about you and your work! Karen Altergott Roberts
This is a beautiful “hero post” (now that I know what that is, thanks to you )!
I think you first came to my attention when you’d swooped in to come to my aid when I posed a question in the substack writers group. I was talking about “analysis paralysis” and my perfection impediment!
As an artist with a recent ADHD diagnosis, I cannot believe I’ve lived this long with all of this noise! I guess I subconsciously learned ways to circumvent and harness its power with my art-making and as an arts educator. I feel much more at ease helping others and problem solving...keeps me out of my head and repetitive thought patterns.
Good on you for taking the leap to leave your job. Already sounds like your are flourishing!
Thanks for the introduction, your generosity and vulnerability in your posts and revealing why you’re up at 1:00am writing ... I’m in Canada 🇨🇦 👋
Gosh I love that we have the late diagnosis ADHD in common. I would love to hear about what strategies you use to run a business. Now that I’m not in a structured job, with someone to hold me accountable (therefore getting that dopamine hit to get me going), I find I can get distracted with home stuff etc.
Yes, I've never wasted so much time in my life, and yet, I've never HAD so much time in my life. Somehow when I was a single mom I taught every day and painting for clients and shows...I seemed to have managed it all so well (but was super stressed). Now, I don't have those same stressors and yet, I often "waste" my day.
I'll be addressing more on this topic as I think many creatives have the same issues. A non traditional job is in many ways a better fit with my desire for self-managed hours I do not respond well to structure and yet I almost need it to keep me accountable on focused.. I "TRY" to use the D (very important), DELAY (this task can be put off), DELEGATE or DELETE strategy to help when i get pulled away from important work. Thanks to some expert guidance in this area.
Thank you! Well, no, not really. I'm in a good place in my life right now, you see. Gotta good job with a v understanding and tolerant boss, a great, supportive and loving partner who's doing her best to understand me. I'm living in a nice rural village, lots of friends on social media and I'm really relishing writing again, and connecting with good peeps like you. I have enjoyed many long periods of stability in the past, so I know I will again. Not had a major depressive bout in some years. Not since I was single and living alone, when I didn't look after myself so well. So I know I'm lucky and I count my blessings.
Hi Mika, this is such a sincere introduction to your Substack, I love it 💖
Umm, I went down a bit of a worm hole and have ended up here after someone reposted one of your newsletters… my short term memory is terrible 🙈
I’m a 46 year old, writer, life coach and solopreneur from England - which is what anyone can find out on my bio. But, what they wouldn’t know is that I did exactly what you are doing now and quit my day job 9 years ago to become my own boss. I had an idea without a plan, thankfully it’s worked out but it’s not actually my passion. Helping others to find their purpose and writing are.
I’m pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADHD which has been treated as anxiety and depression in the past; although I knew I wasn’t depressed 😔 just overwhelmed with the monkey brain chatting non-stop and not knowing how to switch off.
I love the community that you are creating and so glad I’ve found you 😊🩷
I've just seen - they're gorgeous & I love that dress! Are you North or South Island? We (husband & I) spent 8 months in NZ on the backpacker trail back in 2004-5 and we also went back to South Island for 3 weeks in 2020. I love it so much
Hi Mika, what a wonderful introduction to your Substack and you 💖
I am currently on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment, and am really just beginning to piece together the jigsaw of my life. When I reflect on the struggles I've had, it makes absolute sense to me. I feel seen for the first time ever, but I also mourn for the life I might have had if this had been picked up in my teens.
I found my way to Substack via Beth Kemptons's Winter Writing Sanctuary. It's taking some getting used to, but I think I'm getting the hang of it bit by bit.
Lovely to connect with you. I look forward to reading more of your posts 🥰
Oh Susie, I am so excited for this path ahead. I felt exactly the same way. I burst out crying after getting the diagnosis. I was so hard on myself for something that was out of my control. I know we want the golden pill to make everything better, but the truth is, we will still be us, we just have to find strategies that work and be a lot kinder to ourselves. Thank you for your kind words!
Yes, I can totally understand why you cried at your diagnosis. It's a relief as much as anything else.
When we know better, we can do better. Understanding ourselves and knowing the reasons why we do things is so incredibly healing. I feel like I have been able to love and forgive myself for many years of failing at life. Now I know, I wasn't failing, I was surviving, and that makes me so very proud of myself. You should be, too ❤️
That’s a beautiful way of looking at it.
Thank you so much 😊
Reading both of your posts (Susie & Mika) makes me think about my own life. Wondering now if I should get an ADHD assessment. Honestly, this life has been a struggle. I can never focus and it seems I’m always bouncing all over the place. Starting and stopping things and never really accomplishing anything. Failing at life or just surviving. Love the beautiful words you both spoke here. So kind and encouraging. Glad to have found this piece of the Substack World.
Hi Susie, Mika and MahoganyLit 👋 I’m new here and just read your words. I was dx with ADHD in Nov 2022, aged 52 and more recently discovered I’m also ASD. It’s a wild ride and a huge adjustment, where everything changes, yet nothing changes, all at the same time! For what it’s worth, I’ve discovered how powerful self-compassion and forgiveness are, as well as how vital it is to honour the little version of you who wasn’t fully seen. Almost 2 years on, I’m a happier soul… my brain is unpredictable and I still struggle with Adulting and Peopling, but knowing why changes your life. Wishing you peace as you journey down this new path 💓
Hi Mika!
This is such a fun and personal post. Thabks for reaching out to fellow newbies!
I'm living in Papua Indonesia these days, not too far away from you, compared to my US passport country.
I'm here on Substack sharing my journey through international living, motherhood and alot of the grief work that comes with it.
Based on the description of your writing and interest, I'm going to Love your work. Looking forward to reading more. :)
Love the name of your publication! Thanks so much for introducing yourself! I’m looking forward to getting to know you more through your work as well!
Hi Mika, I love everything about this post and I love learning about you. I'm Kelsey. I'm in the States. I'm an Energy Alignment Coach, Human Design Guide, House Therapist, Triathlete, Nutrition nerd, nature-lover, and dog mom. And I also quit my job with no plan (years ago). I was working as a marine biologist for the government. They offered me a promotion and I quit instead. I'm so proud of that younger version of me. And I was diagnosed with ADHD in college--and then started learning about Human Design 6 years ago and now I know that what they called ADHD is really just me being a Manifesting Generator with gate 5, a defined root, active digestion and a few other things. It's all perfect and fabulous and exactly how I want to be me.
I’m an ADHDer too… well actually, I recently discovered I’m an AuDHDer!! I love HD and love that it shared two letters with ADHD, because I know a swathe of ADHD peeps are mani-gens. I’m trained in chinese medicine and this throws a fascinating light on these brain differences too. In HD terms, I’m an emo gen and don’t do so well with fast-paced manifestor energy. Knowing about the add-on of ASD shines a light on this. I have to feel things to know them, and wait for the initial excitement of an invitation to diminish before I say yes!!
I can see how all of this could fit into your HD chart, Helen! You are a beautifully unique being!
Thanks so much for sharing your journey Kelsey!
I’ve never heard about MG!! Sounds interesting!
Oh it’s Human Design. I can tell you allllll about it
👌👌
Ohhh I'm excited to have found you here. I'm a 5/1 MG (although I don't know too much about HD at this point, as astrology is my specialty) and can relate to a lot of what you wrote here. I'm looking forward to following you and learning more about Human Design 😍
Yay! Hi! I’m a 4/6 MG. And Libra sun, Aquarius moon, Sagittarius rising. I’m so excited to connect with you!
I love this, Mika!! It's been nice to start getting to know you through your posts, and this one is really inspiring. I, too, left a job (a couple of times) with much uncertainty, but it was the best decision I've made each time. And I'm heading to Japan in March 😍 I giggled when I read about your hubby speaking better Japanese than you. I'm curious, did he learn the language because of you?
What a great time to visit Japan! I’m so jealous. My hubby learned the language when he lived there for a couple of years. We connected when he come back to NZ and I must say, my mum loves being able to speak Japanese to him!
If you wouldn’t mind sharing a bit of your back story here, that would be great. I just love that you had time to ponder on your Substack name and changed it to “Loving the Dark Parts”. 💕
Unleashing the hold of shame and regret over our dark parts is so life changing!!
Aww I love that. I'm particularly interested because I'm an expat living in Thailand (I'm Canadian). I have a Thai partner and his mom doesn't speak English, so I'm really interested in hearing the stories and reasons why people learn languages and how they use it to connect with others. Thank you for sharing 🥹 I can imagine him speaking Japanese just deepens the connection with your mom and your culture—that's pretty special.
A bit of backstory on me: I was born and raised in Canada and always knew I would live away from home. I grew up in a small town and couldn't wait to explore the world. I finally got the chance (or rather, took the chance) to move away in 2016 when my life completely changed after a breakup with the guy I thought I would spend my life with. I quit my corporate job, sold my belongings, and cleared up any debt I had with the intention of travelling Australia for a year before returning to Canada—except it's been almost 8 years and I'm still on my own path with no intention of returning to Canada anytime soon. I've been living in Thailand for about 7 of those years and have since started my own business that's more aligned with my goals in helping others feel confident to follow their heart, too.
Thank you for reading a bit about my journey. More recently, as you've read a bit about, I've been on a journey of sobriety which is where "Loving the Dark Parts" truly was birthed from, because it was only when I was ready to face those parts on myself through learning astrology, therapy, and living a more mindful life that I started to embrace my whole self. I really believe that's where our magic lies. ✨
I love that so much. Once we come out the other side, we want to be that friend to that person to shortcut the pain or at least be with them through it.
That’s how I feel about my ADHD journey. I thought something was wrong with me all this time. “Why can’t I do it?” “What’s wrong with me”.
Now I’m teaching our girls to love all parts of themselves and they are now having a completely different life because of it! (Obviously, it’s a work in progress, they still have the work to contend with)
What a beautiful gift you are offering to your girls! You're planting the seeds and leading by example of self love and compassion, too! That's no small thing.
Beautiful intro, Mika! I also quit my job—somewhat unexpectedly—last year and have been embracing a new lifestyle. The journey has been a rollercoaster so far 😅 I am also a newbie here. I published my first post today! Hoooray. I am looking forward to learning with the community. Happy to connect! 💚
Welcome to Substack!! What have you been doing with your life post-9 to 5?
Here’s a list of resources that you might find useful. It’s a collection of links that I found useful or with I had when I first started Substack. https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/free-resources-for-substack-newbies
Thank you Mika. I'll have a look at it :)
Hi Mika! Great hero post. I am planning to write mine this weekend. Probably. If I can truly nail down exactly what I want to be writing about!
I am 50. I have run my own business, which my husband joined after a few years, providing services to educational publishers, since 1999. I am very good at what I do, and tend to get a decent amount of work, and mostly still enjoy it BUT… I really don’t want to be doing this for another 25 years. I have been learning and growing as an illustrator and pattern designer over the last decade(ish), taking LOADS of courses and earning bits of money here and there (with 2022 and 2023 being the first years where I earned more from art than I spent on it, though that might say more about my addiction to online courses than my ability to be paid for my art!). My mission is to make illustration and pattern design my full-tier career, including a decent perennial (aka passive) income, and for writing to then become my side hustle, until they are both combined in a beautiful balance, and to the point where I can travel lots and possibly relocate to Europe, if that works for both of us, once the teens have fully flown the nest.
I am also a third-generation vegetarian and daughter of hippies (who are sadly both no longer here). I can speak French and Spanish pretty well and German, Italian and Portuguese Ok, oh and Esperanto, too, though fairly lapsed. My heart is in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean. I love to travel. I have two teenage daughters who are both very creative in different ways and genuinely a joy to hang out with (though they may not have the same opinion).
I live in The Cotswolds in the UK, in a town (Stroud) three miles from where I grew up. It’s a wonderful town, full of creative people and activists and independent shops. But sometimes I hate that so many people here have known me since I was young, because how is it ever possible to reinvent yourself then.
I wrote (and made some money from) a parenting blog (wahm-bam.org) for about a decade, until drawing took over as my main focus and the thing I absolutely have to do every day. I have written about 15 unfinished novels over the span of my life and 0 finished ones. I hope to change that final figure one day!
I am atheist/agnostic, feminist, pacifist, left-wing and in favour of open borders, universal basic income, and peace, and I will stand up for everyone’s right to define their own gender and sexuality and to live and love as they want to.
(Oh, and a I tend to write very long comments!)
So so lovely to get to know you better Tasha. I love that you have so many interests and that you’re not afraid to follow your curiosity! Our second season without our kids are going to be so interesting. I would love to be a bit of nomad and enjoy the world a bit more. Our youngest is 17, but we still have a 21 and 19 at home too. I know this chapter of our life is coming to an end…which is kind of funny because it feels like THAT is my life. So excited to see all your dreams come to life Tasha.
Hi Mika! It was a pleasure to read about you. My name is Ami and I am a Substack newbie (going into week three). I write Finding inner pizza. I write about musings and observations on happiness and finding joy. My goal is to bring a smile to someone. I would love for you to take a slice and share your opinion. Have a most marvelous weekend.
What a fantastic name for your publication 🍕
Hello from the midwest! hope to connect with other mothers and writers who are writing to get through the cold winter months ^_^ I started a romance novel late last year and am currently on substack to document the writing journey and share narrative essays along the way! definitely need to figure out the hero post thing. this one is excellent!
I can’t wait to read more of your writing!! So exciting!
yes me too! it's a lovely way to share reflections and thoughts
I’m here! A single mum. And it’s bloody cold in Montreal!
stay warm! sending you a virtual mug of coffee for the cold <3
Great post Mika, love that your husband speaks better Japanese than you haha!
Love your illustrations you add to your posts, will you ever do a course on how to do something similar?
New Zealand must be such a beautiful place to live. I live in England but always wonder and dream of travelling the world in a van.
Still getting to grips with Substack but a hero post is a good idea 😊
Do you think it would be helpful? I do my illustrations on an iPad with an Apple Pencil, and I know a lot of people don’t have access to that
I've had this same thought! an illustration branding package would be super helpful
Ooooo that’s a cool idea 🤔
Mika! Finally I saw your face! I love your energy, preading your positive vibration online!
((silly question, tho, since I rarely read posts about writing on Substack: what is a hero post?))
I'm currently on a journey in healing my body and past-trauma somatically, been up and down for weeks, low energy on social media (hence, only writing long posts on Substack).
Curious to explore NZ, hopefully I'd have the time this year!
Not a silly question. Here’s a post all about it: https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/what-your-substack-is-missing
thank you, on it!
I just want to mention that I love your hero post design and how it looks on your page. I love all your illustrations. You're so talented!
Hello, hello! I am in the middle of the US - in Indiana. After migrating around the Midwest for university and graduate school and academia, I switched careers in midlife. From an academic with specialization in family and aging (I once came to Melbourne to talk to Australia's family court judges about the 'new' divorce law...that was the most distant trip I took of all my international journeys...so I've been in your 'neighborhood'), I turned into an ordained clergy person! Then, I migrated around Indiana until I retired (to work in the non-profit sector), retired again (to teach as an adjunct faculty in Sociology AND Fundamentals of Public Speaking), and now I am writing and painting and politicking in my latest retirement! Parent of 3, stepparent of 3, grandparent of 5, I live with my husband and Glen of Imaal Terrier, Rocky.
My Substack is Somewhen, a memoirish thing, and I am new at it. Looking forward to learning more about you and your work! Karen Altergott Roberts
Thank you so much Karen for sharing your journey. I can see you have a lot of wisdom to share. Welcome!
This is a beautiful “hero post” (now that I know what that is, thanks to you )!
I think you first came to my attention when you’d swooped in to come to my aid when I posed a question in the substack writers group. I was talking about “analysis paralysis” and my perfection impediment!
As an artist with a recent ADHD diagnosis, I cannot believe I’ve lived this long with all of this noise! I guess I subconsciously learned ways to circumvent and harness its power with my art-making and as an arts educator. I feel much more at ease helping others and problem solving...keeps me out of my head and repetitive thought patterns.
Good on you for taking the leap to leave your job. Already sounds like your are flourishing!
Thanks for the introduction, your generosity and vulnerability in your posts and revealing why you’re up at 1:00am writing ... I’m in Canada 🇨🇦 👋
Gosh I love that we have the late diagnosis ADHD in common. I would love to hear about what strategies you use to run a business. Now that I’m not in a structured job, with someone to hold me accountable (therefore getting that dopamine hit to get me going), I find I can get distracted with home stuff etc.
Yes, I've never wasted so much time in my life, and yet, I've never HAD so much time in my life. Somehow when I was a single mom I taught every day and painting for clients and shows...I seemed to have managed it all so well (but was super stressed). Now, I don't have those same stressors and yet, I often "waste" my day.
I'll be addressing more on this topic as I think many creatives have the same issues. A non traditional job is in many ways a better fit with my desire for self-managed hours I do not respond well to structure and yet I almost need it to keep me accountable on focused.. I "TRY" to use the D (very important), DELAY (this task can be put off), DELEGATE or DELETE strategy to help when i get pulled away from important work. Thanks to some expert guidance in this area.
I’ll be very interested in reading more about that!
Me too!
Thank you! Well, no, not really. I'm in a good place in my life right now, you see. Gotta good job with a v understanding and tolerant boss, a great, supportive and loving partner who's doing her best to understand me. I'm living in a nice rural village, lots of friends on social media and I'm really relishing writing again, and connecting with good peeps like you. I have enjoyed many long periods of stability in the past, so I know I will again. Not had a major depressive bout in some years. Not since I was single and living alone, when I didn't look after myself so well. So I know I'm lucky and I count my blessings.
What a wonderful outlook! That’s inspiring!
bless you x
Hi Mika, this is such a sincere introduction to your Substack, I love it 💖
Umm, I went down a bit of a worm hole and have ended up here after someone reposted one of your newsletters… my short term memory is terrible 🙈
I’m a 46 year old, writer, life coach and solopreneur from England - which is what anyone can find out on my bio. But, what they wouldn’t know is that I did exactly what you are doing now and quit my day job 9 years ago to become my own boss. I had an idea without a plan, thankfully it’s worked out but it’s not actually my passion. Helping others to find their purpose and writing are.
I’m pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADHD which has been treated as anxiety and depression in the past; although I knew I wasn’t depressed 😔 just overwhelmed with the monkey brain chatting non-stop and not knowing how to switch off.
I love the community that you are creating and so glad I’ve found you 😊🩷
Oh my gosh, so many similarities!! I can’t wait to get to know you more through Substack!! 💕💕
Just came onto your page & saw this post for the first time, lovely to see your face!
I have some more photos on the About page, which is more recent. 😊
I definitely need to update my profile illustration because my hair has grown a lot since I drew it over a year ago!
I've just seen - they're gorgeous & I love that dress! Are you North or South Island? We (husband & I) spent 8 months in NZ on the backpacker trail back in 2004-5 and we also went back to South Island for 3 weeks in 2020. I love it so much