A FRESH START

It's been a beat ... or two

Happy New Year!

In fact, there’ve been a few since I was last here. The one according to the Gregorian/Capitalist/Patriarchal calendar celebrated on January 1st. We welcomed the 1-year numerological cycle. The Lunar calendar released the Wood Snake and welcomed the Fire Horse. The astronomical new year, started with Aries season earlier this month. I have no doubt there’ve been more I know nothing about.

This is mine.

ish.

Two things have stood in the way of my writing:

1. I’m always politically aware of what’s going on in the world, and a number of writers I admire have left this Substack platform for others. I considered it. Then I realized there is no guarantee the next place will be better than this one, and Substack is a known entity. We live in a precarious world with no guarantees. I choose here.

2. And, I struggled with the recovery from my hysterectomy and all the events around it. I make light of the fact that they took everything, including my dry, shrivelled ovaries, and, with it, my imagination and creativity. I joke, but it’s not funny. Since mid-December, my motivation, imagination, desire and energy have deserted me. I missed writing, I forgot how.

I’m taking some advice from those who know better than me. I’m going to jump back in before I’m ready — trust that my drive to meet my potential will move me past self-doubt, fear, and the procrastination baked into perfectionism; that showing up will sustain my courage and curiosity. It’s true that you can only grow in discomfort, so I’m getting uncomfortable.

Before I faded away from your inbox, I was on a positive upward trajectory in subscriber numbers and regular engagement with a growing community who are so lovely and encouraging. I was doing what I wanted: building a community, creating connections. I was sad to disappear.

This is a fresh start for me — and you, if you choose to stay.

I’ve learned a lot, and changes will be made based on that knowledge. I gave in to the pressure of over-posting. Putting together an impossible-to-sustain editorial calendar. One meant for a team, not for one single contributor. A calendar that made me feel like I’d failed before I hit publish.

I’m a me, not a team. Building a community won’t happen with overwhelm and burnout. That will only happen with authenticity, focus, and care.

Luckily, in my world, I have a communications professional: my son, Cole, who helped me move things around. After being here on Substack for a bit, I wanted to make a few changes.

This includes:

• Moving my truth-based “Spilled Ink” stories behind a paywall.

• Changing the posts' format to be less ‘academic’ for lack of a better term, and more fun and engaging.

• And, there will be far fewer posts.

I spent time going through all my past posts — they’ve been recategorized and re-tagged. Going forward, I may borrow or reiterate some content. It might all be fresh and new.

Truth? I read some of it and wondered, “wow, I wrote that?” and other posts, I think, “wow, I wrote that schlock?”

Some of the appearances of the previous posts were far too influencer/AI-shaped. They were NOT written by AI, but between the short paragraphs, repetition and emoji-laden content, it just didn’t — and doesn’t — sound like me. I was chasing something I don’t want — even worse, it looked like everyone else. And I promise, all of the em-dashes were and will continue to be on purpose, and me-generated!

So, this is my notice of intent.

A few times a month, I want to provide engaging content that sparks conversation that leads to community building. I’m leaving my expectations open enough for this Crone Rising Substack to morph into whatever it becomes as I follow the things that interest me that I share with you. It’s my hope they interest you, too.

So hi, welcome, or welcome back. I’m Lee Currie, proud Canadian Crone, a rebellious feminist filled with curiosity, opinions, and joy. You can find me here on Substack, on Instagram at @lee.currie.shows.up, or Facebook @leecurrie. I look forward to connecting with you.

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