From Scratch Digest (1 of 1)
I published a book + a few unresolved thoughts.
Lake-Effect Coffee is now for sale on Amazon! It’s also still free on From Scratch Press. If you’d like to support me, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for being here either way.
I don’t know if it’s good or not, but I’m sure it’s mine. I didn’t expect to write and publish a work of fiction in my first year as a self-employed software mentor, but I guess that’s what my brain was hoping to bring into the world.
I went to a walk group this week and talked to two people. I plan to go back next week!
If you’ve been following me on Notes, you’ve seen me circling the question: Are there any settings where people talk to each other without performance or earned belonging?
Perhaps this walk group is one of those.
It reminds me of the time I posted to Reddit about a new group I was starting: “Bird Watching Support Group for Non-Bird Watchers.” I got basically zero responses, but it’s funny to read it back now and see how this walk group's goals are fairly similar to what I was looking for then—except it actually exists.
I feel way more mentally stable and content than I did in my 9-5. I also feel kind of invisible. I have another life experiment in the works related to this.
I’m scared to publish this, given it’s not an 800-1200 word essay with a tight thesis, medium imagery, and a few British references. Is it okay for me to take up space in this way?
What are you working on? Thinking about?
Need space to talk?
A few times a month, I hold quiet 1:1 conversations with folks navigating change, isolation, or literally anything.
It’s not therapy or coaching. It’s just real talk.
You don't need my permission but sometimes it helps to see the truth written out: You can take up the exact amount of space in the exact way you want to on your own channel 💛
I get that invisible feeling. I assume anyone at the convergence of autism and freelance/solo work would feel that. Although I recently befriended an unemployed autistic woman with a palpably healthy family and friend circle who doesn't seem to experience it, so I might be wrong! I should ask her...