Summer Sabbatical
Just a Change of Time
Hi friends,
It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been writing this newsletter for five years (!). And, for the first time in five years, I am going on sabbatical. I’ve decided to take a break over the summer, to offer myself time and space to explore other creative projects.
I started writing The Find during the pandemic. I wanted to reach out into the sudden void and make something. I wanted to connect, to share information, ideas, books, movies, music. Suddenly, I had the space and time to write, and I wanted to share what I was thinking about.
Now, five years later, I still want to make things, to connect, to share what excites and terrifies me, what piques my curiosity. But/and, I also want to explore what piques my curiosity in more ways, in more depth.
Ideas have been surfacing, percolating. So much has happened the past five years (and continues to happen), both in the larger world and in my smaller world, and I’m curious what will arise if I sit down and write something different.
I’ve always processed my thoughts and the world through writing, tried to make sense of the incomprehensible, attempted to find answers. I will always do this. And right now, I just want more time’. I need more time.
When I started this newsletter I was working from home, where my daily commute was from my desk in the front room to the couch in the living room. Then I got a different job. Then I started grad school, working and studying full time. Throughout it all, I kept this newsletter going. Because The Find has never been a job. It has always been a kind of freedom.
Five years later, a different career later, a different administration later, and The Find still feels like freedom. I am lucky that it is not (yet) illegal to voice my opinions and ideas, to take a closer look at the injustices of the world, and to also highlight the beauty of the world.
Lately, I’ve been wondering what other kinds of beauty I might find, might see, if I gave myself the permission to do so. So I am giving myself permission to take the summer “off” and find out.
The Find is not going away, only on a little hiatus. It feels a little scary, to step away from something that has given me so much joy, but it also feels exciting. It feels expansive. And I am looking forward to coming back, back with new insights and ideas, with a fresh perspective. In the meantime, I hope you continue to share recommendations or articles or whatever is on your mind with me. I hope you have a great summer!
Some housekeeping:
If you have a paid subscription, I am pausing payments while I am away. And to celebrate this time off, I’ve opened up The Find’s archive, to offer everyone the opportunity to explore all of the past five years’ worth of posts. Now, on to the finds!
The Finds
Action. Stand with Southern organizers and sign the petition to help them fight back against voter suppression, gerrymandering, and attacks on political power.
Listen. “Summer” by Celeste, featuring Jeshi.
And it’s all I need, lost on this feeling
And it’s all I need, it’s just a change of time
And it’s all I need, why don’t we end on a high?
And it’s all I need, no plain end in sight
Watch. Matlock on Paramount+! Starring the incomparable Kathy Bates as the title character, Matlock is the show we need right now: heartwarming and funny while tackling injustice and abuses of power. Come for Kathy Bates, stay for great writing and a supporting cast of characters who also hold their own.
Read. Dead and Alive: Essays by Zadie Smith. Exhilarating, invigorating, and hilarious, Smith’s latest book of essays is a treat. This is a writer at the height of her powers, possessing an enviable command of language and insight that never feels stuffy or pretentious. Whether discussing fine art or politics, films or books, Smith’s essays are captivating and sharp. I love being inside her mind!
Thank you for being here. Truly. I’m going to miss you!
‘Til next time,
Emma