I love this post, Amelia, and I love the new name! I've found that happiness really is about being intentional with it and how often we forget that. Your story is so very relatable and I'm glad you've found your (happy on) purpose.
Such a beautiful post. I'm also finally happy on purpose. At first I didn't know what to do with this new emotion, I didn't really trust it--especially after the betrayal and demise of my 25 year marriage. I'm still new to sharing my writing on Substack but much like you, I'm nervous and shy when it comes to talking about it in person with real life people, face to face! Gah, it's been so hard but I feel like I'm turning the corner and feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Thank you for sharing this, it made my day!
I'm so happy for you, Donna! It's a wonderful feeling to finally, honestly, be yourself, although I do find it's a lot of work to stay true. Btw, I LOVE the name of your Substack - so great!
What a joy to find you here and read your story. In the last few years, it has felt--at least where I live in the Northeast, that it is almost criminal to be happy, to choose joy as if the human heart can not simultaneously hold grief and understanding of suffering and joy at the same time. As if happiness is mutually exclusive from understanding or intellectualizing the state of the world.
This means that I've been raising my kids under a mood (cloud!) of "You don't get it; shit is crazy out there," which makes me sad because the greatest gift my parents gave me was intentional happiness. Contagious happiness. They knew about the crazy shit and gave me a happy world anyway, taught me to look for the good and search for solving linings, gratitude, and joy.
More of this, please. I want to do better about this in my own life and certainly in my parenting. Like you say, it's work--but it's worth it.
Oh, Sarah, I love this, and I completely understand what you're saying. As responsible, aware adults, it's so easy to become immersed in the bad and difficult and it truly can be harder work to look for the good. Intellectualizing everything is often my problem! Thank you for reading, and a warm welcome!
This is the first piece of writing I have read on Substack. I am just learning the ropes around this app and I stumbled upon this article. I resonate with every sentence of this. Thank you so much for having the courage and determination to put it out there. It has given me so much to think about. Sincerely, a lost stranger from the internet.
I love reading what you write so much! Genuine, interesting, funny, heartwarming and truely inspiring. Thank you!! Sending love all the way from Austria :)
Lovely essay and a great name change. I have been genuinely puzzled each time Some Happy Scribbles appears in my inbox - what? why? - now the title and the content match. Looking forward to many more reads. Thank you
This made me laugh out loud! While I knew why the title was Some Happy Scribbles, it never felt right to me either! Thank you for sticking with me! xoxo Amelia
Thanks so much for sharing! I feel the same way about starting a newsletter—it was a way to ameliorate the niggling sense of dissatisfaction with the isolated writing life and to build community with other authors. Now there’s 8 of us, who write about all things writing thrillers and craft and interview other writers, and I’m proud every week to see what we put out!
The way I kept nodding my head all the way through this essay—in so many ways, I see my story and fears reflected in yours (PS: my fear feels less heavy when I see someone I respect dealing with it too. Why do we think we’re alone in this stuff??).
Thank you for your vulnerability and bravery. I am SO HAPPY you choose to share yourself with us. Congrats on the name change and everything it represents!! I cannot wait to keep reading. ❤️
Amy, thank you for reading and for your support! I am so glad you feel less alone - I feel so lucky to get to write about my experiences (and hard lessons learned). It's a dream come true to hear that I've helped someone in a small way. ❤️
Welcome Naina, I'm so glad you found me. I think I'll always be a good girl in recovery - I need constant reminders (from myself) not to fall into old bad habits.
So pleased you followed your calling - for you of course, but also all of us that your exceptional writing and life observations touch. I feel like this is just the beginning! Happy On Purpose is the best name - it's going to become my mantra! Congratulations Amelia!! XX
Love this, Amelia. There is such incredible value in putting it all out there, so many people aren’t able to voice those feelings. Means the world to many that there are people who can and will. 🙌🙏
I love this post, Amelia, and I love the new name! I've found that happiness really is about being intentional with it and how often we forget that. Your story is so very relatable and I'm glad you've found your (happy on) purpose.
thanks so much, Kait! for me, happiness is an everyday effort, and worth it! xo
Such a beautiful post. I'm also finally happy on purpose. At first I didn't know what to do with this new emotion, I didn't really trust it--especially after the betrayal and demise of my 25 year marriage. I'm still new to sharing my writing on Substack but much like you, I'm nervous and shy when it comes to talking about it in person with real life people, face to face! Gah, it's been so hard but I feel like I'm turning the corner and feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Thank you for sharing this, it made my day!
I'm so happy for you, Donna! It's a wonderful feeling to finally, honestly, be yourself, although I do find it's a lot of work to stay true. Btw, I LOVE the name of your Substack - so great!
Thank you!
What a joy to find you here and read your story. In the last few years, it has felt--at least where I live in the Northeast, that it is almost criminal to be happy, to choose joy as if the human heart can not simultaneously hold grief and understanding of suffering and joy at the same time. As if happiness is mutually exclusive from understanding or intellectualizing the state of the world.
This means that I've been raising my kids under a mood (cloud!) of "You don't get it; shit is crazy out there," which makes me sad because the greatest gift my parents gave me was intentional happiness. Contagious happiness. They knew about the crazy shit and gave me a happy world anyway, taught me to look for the good and search for solving linings, gratitude, and joy.
More of this, please. I want to do better about this in my own life and certainly in my parenting. Like you say, it's work--but it's worth it.
Oh, Sarah, I love this, and I completely understand what you're saying. As responsible, aware adults, it's so easy to become immersed in the bad and difficult and it truly can be harder work to look for the good. Intellectualizing everything is often my problem! Thank you for reading, and a warm welcome!
I love the new name!!! It’s perfect! ❤️
So glad you like it!
This is the first piece of writing I have read on Substack. I am just learning the ropes around this app and I stumbled upon this article. I resonate with every sentence of this. Thank you so much for having the courage and determination to put it out there. It has given me so much to think about. Sincerely, a lost stranger from the internet.
Oh Sarah, a very warm welcome-I'm so glad you found me!
Absolutely brilliant!! I love it Amelia! 🩷🩷
Thank you!! Means a lot! ❤️❤️
This is so inspiring!!!! Thank you
so glad!
Cheers to your newsletter's new name and to intentional happiness! I look forward to continuing to devour your work.
Abby, thank you so much! So glad you like the new name! Here’s to being happy on purpose! xo Amelia
Love this so much, Amelia! And I love the new name! I also completely get the struggle to explain what you do to strangers and old friends alike!
So glad you like it and so glad to hear it's not just me!
I love reading what you write so much! Genuine, interesting, funny, heartwarming and truely inspiring. Thank you!! Sending love all the way from Austria :)
Inbar, thank you so much - lots and lots of love to you in Austria! xo Amelia
Lovely essay and a great name change. I have been genuinely puzzled each time Some Happy Scribbles appears in my inbox - what? why? - now the title and the content match. Looking forward to many more reads. Thank you
This made me laugh out loud! While I knew why the title was Some Happy Scribbles, it never felt right to me either! Thank you for sticking with me! xoxo Amelia
Thanks so much for sharing! I feel the same way about starting a newsletter—it was a way to ameliorate the niggling sense of dissatisfaction with the isolated writing life and to build community with other authors. Now there’s 8 of us, who write about all things writing thrillers and craft and interview other writers, and I’m proud every week to see what we put out!
Wow, I'm jealous that you have such a wonderful group to work with!
I’m so grateful ☺️
The way I kept nodding my head all the way through this essay—in so many ways, I see my story and fears reflected in yours (PS: my fear feels less heavy when I see someone I respect dealing with it too. Why do we think we’re alone in this stuff??).
Thank you for your vulnerability and bravery. I am SO HAPPY you choose to share yourself with us. Congrats on the name change and everything it represents!! I cannot wait to keep reading. ❤️
Amy, thank you for reading and for your support! I am so glad you feel less alone - I feel so lucky to get to write about my experiences (and hard lessons learned). It's a dream come true to hear that I've helped someone in a small way. ❤️
As a recovering ‘good girl’ who is figuring out what to do about work I felt SEEN as I read your essay. Looking forward to reading more from you!
Welcome Naina, I'm so glad you found me. I think I'll always be a good girl in recovery - I need constant reminders (from myself) not to fall into old bad habits.
So pleased you followed your calling - for you of course, but also all of us that your exceptional writing and life observations touch. I feel like this is just the beginning! Happy On Purpose is the best name - it's going to become my mantra! Congratulations Amelia!! XX
This made me tear up. Thank you so, so, much for your cheerleading and support! xoxoxoxo
Love this, Amelia. There is such incredible value in putting it all out there, so many people aren’t able to voice those feelings. Means the world to many that there are people who can and will. 🙌🙏
Thanks so much Jon. This means a lot!