Good luck with flat hunting! I hope you find a wonderful cozy place with new furry neighbors (Also, yay for art and poetry workshops!)
It's a bit rough out here in the US, as you might imagine, but I'm continually taking comfort and inspiration in all the people who are doing wonderful things despite the current administration. Now that the springtime is here, I'm back to hiking in the mountains and doing daily walks, and that boosts the serotonin, too (there is NOTHING like a friendly cursing match with a squirrel as you climb up a rockslide). I've been writing a lot and actually letting my words see the light of day/be heard by other people, which is miiiildly terrifying but also kinda cool, so here's an across-the-ocean fist bump for letting our words be heard!
I'll join everyone with a big congrats on the move! Though honestly I too am devastated to no longer be getting pictures of the goodest boy kitty!! And hahah Gemma is a star wherever she goes!
I'm in a BIG transitional moment right now. I'm about to go on a trip to Europe to visit friends (leaving tomorrow) and this is the first time I'm doing an international flight since becoming disabled 5 years ago, so I'm very excited but also nervous to see how it goes, especially since I'll be solo. I've also been on a job hunt, and the market here in Canada is not great, especially since I have more restrictions on the jobs I'm able to accept given that I need accessibility accommodations.
So, as I continue to look for jobs to pay the bills, I also have finally started a new venture that I've been dreaming of, which, if it works out, might give me the freedom that I need around work. I HAVE STARTED MY OWN SUBSTACK!!! My page aims to make academic research more accessible, more understandable, and more fun! I write articles on relevant, cool, whacky, or interesting topics, and also I'll be doing a paid series of strategies for taking control of your research consumption.
I think the MJC community might like some of my content???!! Here's my latest post, which explores academic research on JoJo Siwa and how her fashion is reflective of her behaviour and her life as a child star and 'fan object.'
I also have an instagram that I just started for the page as well (@researchonthat). Admittedly, it's been hard to post sometimes, because I don't love how my body looks in some of the videos, BUT i'm also not willing to do a whole makeup routine and change just for a video that is supposed to be about the content anyway. And I hope that me just showing up looking REAL (no filters no nothing) is in some ways powerful???!! who knows lol.
Anyway, thanks MJC for the updates, and thank you to everyone in the comments for this community. And if you'd like to check out my content on substack or instagram I would be so grateful! I hope I'm not being delusional, but I feel like this substack career could maybe work out???? XO
Yes Jane!! I hope you are living it up in Europe right now and everything went as smoothly as possible accessibility-wise! And bloody well done for taking the leap and starting your own thing, I hope writing it brings lots of joy and hopefully opens up new possibilities for you!! 💖💖
It gives me hope as a human to see wonderful things happening for you and yours. You so so deserve it. I absolutely cannot WAIT to read your book! Thank you for all that you do. 🤗
I'm so excited for y'all! I've been in a similar unofficial living situation, so I understand that desire to create a home together somewhere new. I can't wait to see/hear how you two make the space yours.
I'm struggling a lot lately because I live in the US, and not in a safe state. I've never considered moving away from home until this year. It's scary for a lot of people I care about, and getting scarier for us all. I've been trying to focus on the good and spend time with the people I love.
I'm so happy for you and Char and your combined family. It helps my heart immensely to see queer people living their best lives. 💜
Trisha I hate that you're having to consider moving, but I completely see why, especially in recent times. I don't know whereabouts you are but I hope you've felt heartened/reassured by the number of people going out and protesting to protect their neighbours - I hope you feel like you have community around you where you are 💖 sending you a big squeeze 💖
So much to celebrate, Megan! I'm happy to see all of those smiling faces! Besides extreme self-care, nothing is as important as family. Best of luck with your move!
My 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻 was moving my shop "from the screen to the shore" as I wrote on IG. I've set up shop at a co-op in a beach town at the New Jersey shore. I'm already selling out of designs! Etsy is typically slow during the summer, but not in a tourist town! Trying not to keep all of my eggs in one basket. ;)
Awww, so many sweet moments and so much wonderful news! This all makes me so happy for you and your beautiful circle of family, friends, and community! And I cannot wait for your new book! Your first one was literally life changing for me. 🙏🏼❤️🔥🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤎🖤
Best of luck with the flat hunt! I hope you find somewhere really happy ✨ And can you tell me where to get that chocolate babka french toast?? I'm slavering
Hi Megan! Loved hearing your updates and congratulations on finishing your book! Look forward to hearing more about your move with Char too.
This year has been challenging so far as I had to go into hospital to be treated for my bipolar in Jan after a year and a half being hospital-free. But I've made my best recovery yet, am back at work, had some amazing people to get me through. At the same time I'm aware that I still need to seek out and accept help, and that will be the case for a long time. But I know things will work out and I'll be OK, I'm very stubborn and resilient :)
Lovely Sasha, I hope wherever you're at right now in your recovery that you're giving yourself credit for how well you've done! And I hope you're feeling supported and helped by people around you 💖 keep going! Proud of you! 💖
This made me smile so much!! LOVE that you and Char are officially moving in. What a delight. I hope you find a beautiful place to live, and I’m sure the two of you will infuse it with the most warm and welcoming energy. It’s truly sad you have to say goodbye to your cat friend! I’m sure he’ll miss you too. It’s so wonderful that your families finally met and got on so well too! So many exciting, beautiful things happening in your life, and I couldn’t love it more.
Wonderful Sophie - late reply from me but maybe timely because I imagine you're probably feeling from the state of the world right now? I am glad you exist and I hope you can keep creating a safe and loving life for yourself, even in amongst the chaos. You deserve to be cared for and be ok and you make the world better 💖
This made me cry in a good way. Thank you, friend. I have an album on my phone where I put screenshots of nice things people say to me so I can look at them when I’m down, and your kind words have ended up there more than once. You really have reached across the many miles between us and made me feel seen. <3
Congratulations to you and Char!! This is such happy news, wishing you all the luck in the world. I hope you get a brand new 4 legged neighbour that is just as loving. Although I will be missing the glimpses of Gilbert.
We’re still trying to move house. Everything fell through last month and tbh it’s been really hard, the picture we’d dreamed for our future now won’t be happening where we thought it would. But it has led to us having new conversations about where to live which excites me, I’m thinking wales 🫢
It's really frustrating when a big hope like that doesn't pan out, but I hope that you're able to find a new place that is beautiful and feels like home!
Massive congratulations on you and Char moving into your first home together! It can be so stressful, but hopefully it'll be easy and you'll enjoy each moment 💜 I hope you find your dream home! I hope Gilbert finds some other people to keep company too 💜
Aww huge congratulations on moving in together that's such lovely news. Good luck with the move it will be stressful (from someone who did it last year!) but worth it. Happy your emails are back!
Good luck with flat hunting! I hope you find a wonderful cozy place with new furry neighbors (Also, yay for art and poetry workshops!)
It's a bit rough out here in the US, as you might imagine, but I'm continually taking comfort and inspiration in all the people who are doing wonderful things despite the current administration. Now that the springtime is here, I'm back to hiking in the mountains and doing daily walks, and that boosts the serotonin, too (there is NOTHING like a friendly cursing match with a squirrel as you climb up a rockslide). I've been writing a lot and actually letting my words see the light of day/be heard by other people, which is miiiildly terrifying but also kinda cool, so here's an across-the-ocean fist bump for letting our words be heard!
Jenna it is amazing that you're putting your creations out into the world! You should feel so proud! Keep on keeping on and taking care of you 💖💖
I'll join everyone with a big congrats on the move! Though honestly I too am devastated to no longer be getting pictures of the goodest boy kitty!! And hahah Gemma is a star wherever she goes!
I'm in a BIG transitional moment right now. I'm about to go on a trip to Europe to visit friends (leaving tomorrow) and this is the first time I'm doing an international flight since becoming disabled 5 years ago, so I'm very excited but also nervous to see how it goes, especially since I'll be solo. I've also been on a job hunt, and the market here in Canada is not great, especially since I have more restrictions on the jobs I'm able to accept given that I need accessibility accommodations.
So, as I continue to look for jobs to pay the bills, I also have finally started a new venture that I've been dreaming of, which, if it works out, might give me the freedom that I need around work. I HAVE STARTED MY OWN SUBSTACK!!! My page aims to make academic research more accessible, more understandable, and more fun! I write articles on relevant, cool, whacky, or interesting topics, and also I'll be doing a paid series of strategies for taking control of your research consumption.
I think the MJC community might like some of my content???!! Here's my latest post, which explores academic research on JoJo Siwa and how her fashion is reflective of her behaviour and her life as a child star and 'fan object.'
https://open.substack.com/pub/theresresearch/p/bows-and-rhinestones-what-jojo-siwas?r=pm4cz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I also have an instagram that I just started for the page as well (@researchonthat). Admittedly, it's been hard to post sometimes, because I don't love how my body looks in some of the videos, BUT i'm also not willing to do a whole makeup routine and change just for a video that is supposed to be about the content anyway. And I hope that me just showing up looking REAL (no filters no nothing) is in some ways powerful???!! who knows lol.
Anyway, thanks MJC for the updates, and thank you to everyone in the comments for this community. And if you'd like to check out my content on substack or instagram I would be so grateful! I hope I'm not being delusional, but I feel like this substack career could maybe work out???? XO
Yes Jane!! I hope you are living it up in Europe right now and everything went as smoothly as possible accessibility-wise! And bloody well done for taking the leap and starting your own thing, I hope writing it brings lots of joy and hopefully opens up new possibilities for you!! 💖💖
Thank you Megan 🥰
It gives me hope as a human to see wonderful things happening for you and yours. You so so deserve it. I absolutely cannot WAIT to read your book! Thank you for all that you do. 🤗
Thank you so much Gennarose 🥹💖
I'm so excited for y'all! I've been in a similar unofficial living situation, so I understand that desire to create a home together somewhere new. I can't wait to see/hear how you two make the space yours.
I'm struggling a lot lately because I live in the US, and not in a safe state. I've never considered moving away from home until this year. It's scary for a lot of people I care about, and getting scarier for us all. I've been trying to focus on the good and spend time with the people I love.
I'm so happy for you and Char and your combined family. It helps my heart immensely to see queer people living their best lives. 💜
Trisha I hate that you're having to consider moving, but I completely see why, especially in recent times. I don't know whereabouts you are but I hope you've felt heartened/reassured by the number of people going out and protesting to protect their neighbours - I hope you feel like you have community around you where you are 💖 sending you a big squeeze 💖
So much to celebrate, Megan! I'm happy to see all of those smiling faces! Besides extreme self-care, nothing is as important as family. Best of luck with your move!
My 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻 was moving my shop "from the screen to the shore" as I wrote on IG. I've set up shop at a co-op in a beach town at the New Jersey shore. I'm already selling out of designs! Etsy is typically slow during the summer, but not in a tourist town! Trying not to keep all of my eggs in one basket. ;)
This is a fantastic update Michele! I hope business is thriving and you're enjoying all that extra human interaction from the IRL shop 🤗💖
Awww, so many sweet moments and so much wonderful news! This all makes me so happy for you and your beautiful circle of family, friends, and community! And I cannot wait for your new book! Your first one was literally life changing for me. 🙏🏼❤️🔥🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤎🖤
Thank you Hadley! I appreciate this so much, I hope you find as much comfort in book 2! 💖💖
Best of luck with the flat hunt! I hope you find somewhere really happy ✨ And can you tell me where to get that chocolate babka french toast?? I'm slavering
Thank you Maddy! And yes ofc it was at The Good Egg in Stoke Newington, London - I think they have a recipe for it online 👀💖
We all need this 🙏
Hi Megan! Loved hearing your updates and congratulations on finishing your book! Look forward to hearing more about your move with Char too.
This year has been challenging so far as I had to go into hospital to be treated for my bipolar in Jan after a year and a half being hospital-free. But I've made my best recovery yet, am back at work, had some amazing people to get me through. At the same time I'm aware that I still need to seek out and accept help, and that will be the case for a long time. But I know things will work out and I'll be OK, I'm very stubborn and resilient :)
Lovely Sasha, I hope wherever you're at right now in your recovery that you're giving yourself credit for how well you've done! And I hope you're feeling supported and helped by people around you 💖 keep going! Proud of you! 💖
Thank you so much Megan. That means a lot 💗
Cheering you on from over here, Sasha, an ability to accept help is a very beautiful thing 👏
Thank you! really lovely words to see on my Monday morning ❤️
This made me smile so much!! LOVE that you and Char are officially moving in. What a delight. I hope you find a beautiful place to live, and I’m sure the two of you will infuse it with the most warm and welcoming energy. It’s truly sad you have to say goodbye to your cat friend! I’m sure he’ll miss you too. It’s so wonderful that your families finally met and got on so well too! So many exciting, beautiful things happening in your life, and I couldn’t love it more.
Wonderful Sophie - late reply from me but maybe timely because I imagine you're probably feeling from the state of the world right now? I am glad you exist and I hope you can keep creating a safe and loving life for yourself, even in amongst the chaos. You deserve to be cared for and be ok and you make the world better 💖
This made me cry in a good way. Thank you, friend. I have an album on my phone where I put screenshots of nice things people say to me so I can look at them when I’m down, and your kind words have ended up there more than once. You really have reached across the many miles between us and made me feel seen. <3
Congratulations to you and Char!! This is such happy news, wishing you all the luck in the world. I hope you get a brand new 4 legged neighbour that is just as loving. Although I will be missing the glimpses of Gilbert.
We’re still trying to move house. Everything fell through last month and tbh it’s been really hard, the picture we’d dreamed for our future now won’t be happening where we thought it would. But it has led to us having new conversations about where to live which excites me, I’m thinking wales 🫢
Looking forward to getting an update on this soon Lisa! Hopefully the setback was a redirection to somewhere better 🤞🏽💖
It's really frustrating when a big hope like that doesn't pan out, but I hope that you're able to find a new place that is beautiful and feels like home!
Yay! Congrats on all the sunshine moments for you this month!
Here’s a song I think you’ll like! I still listen to your Spotify playlist ‘feel good’ it helps 🥰
Energy-Ashanti .. enjoy 🎶
Awh I love that you still listen to the playlist Courtney! I will check out that song thank you 😘💖
Massive congratulations on you and Char moving into your first home together! It can be so stressful, but hopefully it'll be easy and you'll enjoy each moment 💜 I hope you find your dream home! I hope Gilbert finds some other people to keep company too 💜
Aww huge congratulations on moving in together that's such lovely news. Good luck with the move it will be stressful (from someone who did it last year!) but worth it. Happy your emails are back!
“Being in the love is the point”… you are so so so right, darling
I love you enormously, and hope your dear darling ankle is feeling the love
So bloody loving having an update from you again, could not love you more
Ps My classic musical earworm will always be Frankie’s ‘the power of love’ of couuuurse