#7 Go away for a while and walk
Plus some interesting ways of telling stories
Hey there! I'm glad to have you here.
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This week, visuals and words are easily threaded together by these Substackers. I would like to highlight, in particular, Tatiana Gallardo's Substack Brazenface, which is quite unique. Get some inspiration, or just sit down this Sunday morning with your coffee and enjoy!
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Why I Disappeared: A Photo Essay-Explanation
Alone in the mountains, I...took...a...break.
Taking a do-nothing vacation: I normally triple stuff my travel itineraries, but this year, I’m learning that idle time isn’t wasted time. Salta was my first ever trip with no phone, no plans, no purpose. And boy, it was delicious.
Placebos I Have Known
Modes of therapy that have and haven't worked for me, who knows why.
It’s been a long time since I purchased a print edition of the New York Times. I have a digital subscription, and usually only pick up a hard copy when I have a piece in the paper, which I haven’t in years.
CRASH!
The darker side to the Photo Centre Collection.
As David Smith’s business became more established during the 1950s, he became the un-official photographer for the local police force. Unlike today, where specially trained officers document every detail of a crime scene or accident site, the police didn’t have their own photographer at this time.
Essex and the city
Or, a very shouty portrait of Robert Deveraux, Head Himbo in Charge.
Thank you to reader Kit for suggesting this week’s dirtbag, who I haven’t profiled yet because honestly I assumed I had already done it. This newsletter has been around for more than two years, so it seemed like this guy should have been knocked out in the first round. But he wasn’t, so we’re gonna do it now:
The Highly Sensitive Writer
Substack, infinite information, and nervous system torture
I have written before about Highly Sensitive People, people who have a set of genetic traits that cause us to be more sensitive to external stimuli than the general population. When I learned about HSPs in my thirties, it explained a phenomenon that had dominated my adulthood (and still does): many experiences, like watching a scary movie or going to a big conference, have always seemed way more intense to me than they do to other people.
On Walking
A long walk is a time for deep thinking. A time to notice the intimate details of your surroundings: wildflowers, drainpipes, alligators. A time to work through the day’s problems.
If you walk for long enough, however, you may start to think up new problems.
Making a Pearl
All of the things that are still possible
In her newsletter ‘The Kindred Letters’ this week, the lovely Susan Cain asks a question about creative inspiration, “What is the particular pearl, gem, or jewel that you and only you, can produce?” and I have been thinking about it all week, especially after Susan nonchalantly directly called me ‘pearl-maker’ and I felt this wonderful warm feeling that this, of all the possible labels and titles I have been given in my life, is a purpose and name I could get excited about.
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See you next time! :)