Thanks for sharing the story on Hong Kong. It’s awful to see how the Chinese government is revoking civil liberties, silencing activists, and hiding behind “national security” as its excuse. Hopefully congress and the administration are willing to stand up for Hong Kong and push back hard against China’s power grabs — even if Trump’s just trying to score political points.
Reading this really reminded me of the Patriot Act and how our government uses the same national security excuses when trying to get around civil liberties in the US.
I can relate to your list and your trivial journal entries so much. I've written and rewritten the same to do lists and goals many times. I wanted to travel to and visit 30 countries by 30 (to which a friend of mine said is a silly goal. It is I guess, but I think it just fueled my travel bug). I wanted to have 2 kids and married by 25, and be a young mom like Lorelai Gilmore. Little did I know life and adulthood is not at all what high school me pictured. And now I've grown and learned and opened my mind more that I'm wondering if I want kids at all to bring into this crazy, messed up world (yes I still do, but definitely not now). And to the trivial entries point, I've been deleting "digital entries" aka text screenshots and photos I've kept through the years but now I can't remember why I've saved them in the first place. I kept some as reminder in some ways, but as another friend said to me, you don't need to be reminded of the past if you've already learned the lessons. Felt really good to delete and let go.
Also...HOL-LY!!! THE COMICS! WoW. The talent. Can't wait to see what's next.
Every single week, I think, this is my favorite newsletter yet. I really think this one might be it, though! I about died reading your 10 year goal (2 on the way...lol!) I am so glad you have evolved into exactly who you are because you are amazing. The Chicks video was so powerful and the comic was great. Definitely made my Thursday! xo
LOVED the piece on goal-setting! I’ve tossed (& laughed at) my old list, too. I used to want to write & publish a novel (creative nonfiction) by 30, but have completely lost my passion to pursue this because it was more (embarrassingly) self-serving & vain than anything. I have later realized that my younger self wanted to write to spite trauma vs. sharing & exploring my artistic depths. Did I really think holding the weight of a painful past story in my hands, bound by a spine with reviews in the inner sleeve, would suddenly and magically make everything I had been through “worth it?” I’ve since learned to find healing in other ways. People who’ve recently resurfaced from my younger days often ask how the book is coming along and push me to revisit that goal, but I’ve outgrown it — and I’m surprisingly content with that decision. -Steph T
I don't necessary journal as consistently, but I very often stumbled upon old pieces of paper/notebooks with thoughts or a list of things I needed to do at the time and it always brings a smile to my face for the same reason you mentioned. The other week I came across a letter I had written to an ex boyfriend but never sent. It was a nice reminder are time is fleeting, life is ever-changing and this specific thing we are caught up on right now will eventually be a memory.
“Goals aren’t meant to be stationary, nor do they need to be a neat little period at the end of a sentence. Just as crucial as goal-setting is adapting the ability to approach your goals with fluidity, allowing them to morph and transform with the person you grow into.“
UGH. This hits so deep. A a 26 year old riding the roller coaster of “alright, yeah, I know who I am!...wait, who am I?.....oh THATS who I am?!”, hearing that other 20 somethings, and maybe even 30, 40, and dare I say 50 somethings are moving through the world in a more fluid, adaptable fashion and abandoning the rigid structures, routines, and boxes society spoon feeds us feels really comforting, and good, and right. Striking the right balance between knowing myself and always finding out who I am while remaining detached and open to the possibilities of life is my current method of embodied empowerment.
THAT COMIC THOUGH— Dear Holly, may I call you Hol? Hol, I don’t say this lightly, but I believe part of the reason you were put on this planet, at this time, as the you that you are, is to make and share your art. This weeks comic was filled with charm and left me wanting more in a way that only a well drawn, 10 word comic can do. Thank you for sharing your art with us and I’m so looking forward to next weeks newsletter and comic dynamic duo.
Each year I write a letter to myself, I started it after the Ambassadors had us write to ourselves back in college and mailed it to us when we graduated. I always include a section called "predictions" which is my favorite part of each year's letter. You'd think I would remember what I wrote but I never do and it is always so entertaining to read your own thoughts/worries/hopes/predictions from a year ago.
But I know the feeling of looking back on old notes and being embarrassed. I suppose it's all part of growing and being thankful you've evolved and thankful you no longer think that way?
Thanks for sharing the story on Hong Kong. It’s awful to see how the Chinese government is revoking civil liberties, silencing activists, and hiding behind “national security” as its excuse. Hopefully congress and the administration are willing to stand up for Hong Kong and push back hard against China’s power grabs — even if Trump’s just trying to score political points.
Reading this really reminded me of the Patriot Act and how our government uses the same national security excuses when trying to get around civil liberties in the US.
I can relate to your list and your trivial journal entries so much. I've written and rewritten the same to do lists and goals many times. I wanted to travel to and visit 30 countries by 30 (to which a friend of mine said is a silly goal. It is I guess, but I think it just fueled my travel bug). I wanted to have 2 kids and married by 25, and be a young mom like Lorelai Gilmore. Little did I know life and adulthood is not at all what high school me pictured. And now I've grown and learned and opened my mind more that I'm wondering if I want kids at all to bring into this crazy, messed up world (yes I still do, but definitely not now). And to the trivial entries point, I've been deleting "digital entries" aka text screenshots and photos I've kept through the years but now I can't remember why I've saved them in the first place. I kept some as reminder in some ways, but as another friend said to me, you don't need to be reminded of the past if you've already learned the lessons. Felt really good to delete and let go.
Also...HOL-LY!!! THE COMICS! WoW. The talent. Can't wait to see what's next.
Every single week, I think, this is my favorite newsletter yet. I really think this one might be it, though! I about died reading your 10 year goal (2 on the way...lol!) I am so glad you have evolved into exactly who you are because you are amazing. The Chicks video was so powerful and the comic was great. Definitely made my Thursday! xo
LOVED the piece on goal-setting! I’ve tossed (& laughed at) my old list, too. I used to want to write & publish a novel (creative nonfiction) by 30, but have completely lost my passion to pursue this because it was more (embarrassingly) self-serving & vain than anything. I have later realized that my younger self wanted to write to spite trauma vs. sharing & exploring my artistic depths. Did I really think holding the weight of a painful past story in my hands, bound by a spine with reviews in the inner sleeve, would suddenly and magically make everything I had been through “worth it?” I’ve since learned to find healing in other ways. People who’ve recently resurfaced from my younger days often ask how the book is coming along and push me to revisit that goal, but I’ve outgrown it — and I’m surprisingly content with that decision. -Steph T
Holly's comics are INCREDIBLE - what?! Wow!!
I don't necessary journal as consistently, but I very often stumbled upon old pieces of paper/notebooks with thoughts or a list of things I needed to do at the time and it always brings a smile to my face for the same reason you mentioned. The other week I came across a letter I had written to an ex boyfriend but never sent. It was a nice reminder are time is fleeting, life is ever-changing and this specific thing we are caught up on right now will eventually be a memory.
Love Holly's Comic! So many great little details, absolutely made me smile.
“Goals aren’t meant to be stationary, nor do they need to be a neat little period at the end of a sentence. Just as crucial as goal-setting is adapting the ability to approach your goals with fluidity, allowing them to morph and transform with the person you grow into.“
UGH. This hits so deep. A a 26 year old riding the roller coaster of “alright, yeah, I know who I am!...wait, who am I?.....oh THATS who I am?!”, hearing that other 20 somethings, and maybe even 30, 40, and dare I say 50 somethings are moving through the world in a more fluid, adaptable fashion and abandoning the rigid structures, routines, and boxes society spoon feeds us feels really comforting, and good, and right. Striking the right balance between knowing myself and always finding out who I am while remaining detached and open to the possibilities of life is my current method of embodied empowerment.
THAT COMIC THOUGH— Dear Holly, may I call you Hol? Hol, I don’t say this lightly, but I believe part of the reason you were put on this planet, at this time, as the you that you are, is to make and share your art. This weeks comic was filled with charm and left me wanting more in a way that only a well drawn, 10 word comic can do. Thank you for sharing your art with us and I’m so looking forward to next weeks newsletter and comic dynamic duo.
Hugs from Philly— Alexis.
Thank you for sharing that music video!! Can’t wait to read more of your newsletters. Also that comic is insanely good!!
That Roxane Gay piece! I love her so so much.
Each year I write a letter to myself, I started it after the Ambassadors had us write to ourselves back in college and mailed it to us when we graduated. I always include a section called "predictions" which is my favorite part of each year's letter. You'd think I would remember what I wrote but I never do and it is always so entertaining to read your own thoughts/worries/hopes/predictions from a year ago.
But I know the feeling of looking back on old notes and being embarrassed. I suppose it's all part of growing and being thankful you've evolved and thankful you no longer think that way?
I can't tell you how much I look forward to receiving this in my inbox. You are brilliant, woman.