Hello. Thank you for stopping by.
I’m so excited to begin my journey writing a newsletter to keep us connected. It’s something new for me and I’m grateful you’re here to share a day in the life of a personal essayist.
When I first began writing on Medium, I didn’t know what I’d write about. I also didn’t know my writing style, so I produced creative nonfiction, listicles, but mostly personal essays. These essays about my life experiences flowed and soon, I felt comfortable sharing my deepest, darkest secrets with readers as though I were talking to friends.
My vision: If sharing my lived experiences could help readers laugh, relate, feel hope and encouragement, I would be closer to forming new connections and making a positive difference in peoples’ lives.
So, what better way to bond further than having a newsletter?
Like many firsts, this newsletter will be one I’ll always remember because creating it is filled with inspiration, mystery, and wonder. How will it look once it’s published? How will readers find it? How often will I write one? The answers are yet to be seen.
I remember my first taste of love, my first legal drink, my first pregnancy and my first (and only) workplace termination, but I can’t recall my first cigarette, job, or when I first lost my confidence. Nobody knows at the time of firsts what will matter in later years.
So, as I write from my heart, I hope you will subscribe to this free newsletter and join me on this new adventure as I expand my writing horizons.
With each newsletter, I plan to include friend links to my Medium stories which means you can read them without a paid subscription.
Before I go, as promised, I’d like to take a moment to share my day with you.
As I looked around my condo, everything was in its typical out-of-place place, except the kitchen was messy. There were pots to be cleaned and dishes to be washed. Anyone who knows me knows that cleaning is a hardship, but not under one circumstance—I clean when I’m furious.
At one point in the early evening, I looked at my husband and said, “Ed, make me mad.”
“What?” he replied.
“Make me mad. In fact, make me furious.”
I explained that it was the only way I could muster enough energy and motivation to get the kitchen cleaned. He’d seen anger driving me before, but each time, it was never contrived.
With a heart of gold, he instead spent the evening trying to make me laugh and rubbing my shoulders to relax me.
Although the dishes still crowd the sink, I couldn’t love my husband more.
Thank you so much for reading. I’ve made my newsletter free, so if you include your email and subscribe, you’ll see my newsletters become better refined. I hope to build a solid readership and wish that you will grow as I become better skilled at the content.
I will always try to include takeaways.
Did I succeed with this newsletter? Perhaps it’s not to be afraid to start something new, or it prompted you to reminisce about your firsts, or just maybe, it inspired you to look at your loved ones with a newfound appreciation for their offerings.
Please don’t forget to comment about your takeaways. It will allow me to learn how to engage with you. It’s another learning curve, no doubt. I think I’ll write a newsletter monthly, but as I grow into it and gain your feedback, I’ll have a clearer vision. Thanks for your patience.
In the meantime, here are some of my Medium short-form stories for you to enjoy. There are longer-form stories yet to come. And if you have it in you, please visit me on Medium. My handle is @karenschwartz22.
Self-love sees the beauty that lies beneath your exterior.
I bought a lotto max lottery ticket for $6 last night and purchased a dream.
Many medications for headaches have red food dye as an active ingredient.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
This is wonderful! I'm so looking firward to following this journey!
You go, girl! Love your first newsletter. And your hubby sounds like Prince Charming. Lucky gal. Hope you got those dishes done...?!