The 2023 round up
A look back at our last nine months here on Substack
I’ve taken a lot of leaps of faith over the years. This Substack is my most recent one and it truly has brought me so much joy. I missed being able to connect directly with readers and love the opportunity to write freely and openly here. If you’re not yet a subscribing member, I’d love to invite you to join us. You’ll get weekly posts and Sunday Scrolls, occasional Group Text threads, community in the comments, and access to the entire archive.
Without further ado… here is a look back at 2023 on Substack: 9 months, 69 posts, nearly 2,000 paid subscribers, and 13.7k free subscribers. I will continue to write traditional books, of course, but this Substack avenue is one I am thrilled to continue exploring, developing, and growing in 2024.
On March 27, 2023, just a few days before the end of my eight week sabbatical, I introduced this Substack. What followed truly shocked me. You all rallied behind this Substack like crazy. Substack even recognized it as a 2023 Featured Publication.
On business and entrepreneurship:
The explosion of Substack, including this one
Shark Tank: why we did it, why we didn’t
Behind the curtain of a Simplified launch
An honest, comprehensive guide to starting and running a business
On motherhood and parenting:
Could this be the end of mommy guilt?
On raising includers
Moms, will we ever just revolt?
How to Be a Person Camp (57 skills and a printable check list)
Anatomy of our annual family meeting
Our attempts at a screen-free(ish) summer
On summer-time kid chores, screen time, and more
On simplified living:
Is this the end of an era?
Small inconveniences, simple solution
Proof that physical clutter = mental clutter
How we saved over $1,000 in one month
On being a person:
A deeper dive on wine and women
Vibrant, gorgeous, and 68: an interview with my mom
100 days to my best me
The magic of Taylor Swift
Hard won confidence and how the heck to get it
Things I know for sure at 40
What to say when words won’t fix it
On cooking:
Assembly meals: when you’re tired but people have to eat
My favorite stupid easy dinners
On books and reading:
Thoughts on Tom Lake
The 34 books I read in 2023 (and 9 I’ve pre-ordered)
A guide: How to write a book
Everything I read on my sabbatical, part one
Everything I read on my sabbatical, part two
On anxiety and burnout:
It’s not always easy coming home to yourself
It’s okay to survive and not thrive sometimes
Mastering the art of boundary setting
Finding your way forward when you’re in a funk
How to triage a crazy month
Stepping off the panic attack ledge
Lists and such:
Go to gift ideas (decide once)
Here’s what’s on your holiday wishlists
103 gift ideas for adults of all kinds
Some things I like lately
And of course — all the Sunday Scrolls. In planning ahead to 2024, I’d love to hear about your favorites. And if you’re not yet a subscribing member, I invite you to join!
xo,
Emily
As an older, I really enjoyed the interview with your dynamic mom 💕
Keep them coming!