Hi! This was a newsletter about travel from a solo female, budget-conscious perspective. It is now a newsletter about the reading & writing life, for word people (like you!) and hobbyists (also like you?) with limited time and endless distractions. I’ll be talking about what I’m reading, what I’m writing, where I’m submitting my work, all my little hobbies, and more.
I was finding the focus of my newsletter to be limiting, especially when I’m not traveling that much in 2024 due to financial uncertainty. I still hope to take one big trip this year, and I’ll be posting about that when I do, but travel is just one aspect of me as a writer and as a person. I’m never going to become a travel writer - that lifestyle is very out of reach for me - but I’m already a published poet and fiction writer. And that gives me some insight into the writing life, right? Probably?
Why is it called Soft Hobbies?
You might be aware of the “cozy hobby / cozy gaming” communities on YouTube, TikTok, Discord, Instagram, etc. I love engaging with that kind of content, definitely appreciate those creators a lot, and have dipped my toe into the community on my YouTube channel, which has the same name. My Etsy store is also called Soft Hobbies. So this is all very nice for ~branding purposes. But why “soft” hobbies?
“Soft” in this instance means light, airy, and prioritizing ease (“easeful,” as my therapist would say). It means letting go of perfectionism and workaholism. It means bounding from one activity to another with curiosity and joy instead of guilt. Soft means making art because it’s your birthright as a human being, not because you’ve been divinely blessed with talent. We make bad art here - wobbly drawings and muddy watercolors and lopsided clay sculptures. Shitty, overly dramatic poetry and derivative stories! We work hard to be soft: to let go of shame and competition and comparison.
Being intentional about having and developing hobbies, regardless of skill level, has vastly improved my life and mental health. I know it can do the same for you, and I also know it’s hard to prioritize this kind of activity in our culture and moment in time. This newsletter exists to provide accountability for both of us.
What will you be writing about?
3 things I’m reading, 3 things I’m writing, 3 other hobbies/activities I’m doing. All with a concise side of opinions. My forays into editing and publishing. My struggles with perfectionism and comparison. Gentle accountability and cozy curations. Link roundups, if you’re really lucky.
How often will you be posting?
Weekly, I hope. Lol.
Thank you so much for continuing to be here. I hope we can take this journey together. Talk soon!