19 Comments
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Dixie Dillon Lane's avatar

I just open Substack posts directly from e-mail. That works, too! I only go to Notes if I'm going deliberately, because I want to read Notes.

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

Very smart! I'm simply forgoing keeping up with Notes this year, as I'm not in a place to do moderation very well in that regard. Hoping to be more deliberate about appreciating and engaging with the longform posts this place was originally created for. :')

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Dixie Dillon Lane's avatar

Good for you, Haley! Moderation is really hard with these things. It's smart to know when you can't engage moderately and make good decisions based on that knowledge! This is why I don't have several devices or apps, among other things. This stuff really is addictive, or at least it works addictively on me!

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Leah's avatar

Um, okay, reading this is a relief -- I was off of social media for 10 years until I came to Substack, unaware that it was, indeed, a social media site. It hit me like a ton of bricks! And I had no idea that this is just how hard it is for most people to handle these things, and I am one of most people.

Thanks, you two, for this little bit of encouragement in the comments.

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Dixie Dillon Lane's avatar

It is *so normal*, Leah! If you aren't deliberate about how you use these things they can quickly swallow you whole.

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Sophie Greco's avatar

Where do you find the art that you post?!

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

Often when I come across a painting (like here in other posts!) I note the artist in an on-going list in a notebook. I choose an artist for the week and draw from their collections of work. There's a few places, but Wikimedia Commons or WikiArt have perhaps been the most helpful to find them.

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Dominika's avatar

"Just Do It" was the thing I needed to read. Thank you!

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

Good to hear! And same here. Felt it in my bones.

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Leah's avatar

“Talking less & living into quiet”

That thought alone is worth this post. Thanks for the collection and God bless your week!

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

Sometimes life forces us into it, and we realize it's actually the thing needed. I like the phrase, too. :)

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Kate's avatar

I was also gifted a wooden book holder for Christmas and I love it! It's perfect for reading right before bed.

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

What kind of book holder?? Like the triangle kind or the classic stand kinda holder? I'm now obsessed, want them everywhere for all kinds of books.

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Kate's avatar

It's a wooden one (this one: https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/book-nook-reading-valet). This one has a space for glasses too, which is perfect for me because I am always misplacing mine.

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Katie Marquette's avatar

Ah this Substack hack

THANK YOU

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

It's been THE BEST.

I saw you mention on another post you're trying to avoid Notes this year. That's my plan as well. Hoping to be more deliberate about appreciating and engaging with the longform posts this place was originally created for. :')

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Katie Marquette's avatar

Yes!! I already am seeing a mental difference. Also Haley you always had such interesting thoughts in Notes, I hope you include them in your newsletters, and likewise as I wrote to Wendi, if you ever want to discuss Catholic theology etc. I'm all IN for some DMs!

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Griffin Gooch's avatar

Wow this is the first I’ve heard that that article came out lol. Thanks so much for including it!!

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

My google doc of publications I check regularly comes in handy! I truly hope this happens more often in the upcoming year, with pieces other folks write. he he

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