After 22 weeks of uninterrupted service, this newsletter is now going to take a short break. I know this comes as a rude shock to many of you who cannot imagine a life bereft of my words. I am truly sorry for the suffering you will endure. If its any consolation, I intend on returning to your inboxes soon so you will not have to wallow in your misery for too long.
To be honest, when I started this newsletter I wasn’t confident I would make it this far. It was an experiment and I had not set any goals for myself other than writing something, anything (quality be damned, as most readers would attest) that could be published every week. Since then, I have written more in five months than I had in more than a decade. Small, but satisfying, wins!
In addition to building a regular writing habit, this newsletter also proved to be an avenue for me to receive criticism and feedback on my work. To everyone who provided such critical feedback, I convey my thanks and would request they disregard the messages and voice notes I sent saying that I hate them and that we are no longer friends. Your feedback is invaluable so please don’t hesitate in sharing your honest views with me. It’s not like I am trained in the dark arts and have your voodoo dolls in my possession.
In case you’re wondering why I am pausing this newsletter: I am going on a trek for a few days and will not have access to civilization (other than my friends who will be accompanying me, but my point about not having access to civilization stands). Incidentally, this is going to be my trekking debut. When I told my mother about it, she remarked that when I was a teenager I had told her “I have no clue why people go on treks, it sounds exhausting.” Which, to be honest, is spot on and probably the reason why I’d never signed up for a trek before. I am a little ashamed to admit that if teenaged me were to see me now, he would be appalled by how I spend my time trapezing around mountains. I suppose he would draw some solace from knowing that my playlist is still populated with Sum 41, MCR and Fall Out Boys songs.
So, if all goes well, I should be lighting up your inboxes again in three short weeks; hopefully, with a bunch of new trek-related stories. (God knows how badly I struggle to come up with topics for this newsletter so please be prepared to hear many trekking tales. I am going to mine it for all its worth.) Until we meet again!
Thank God we are collectively being spared for a few weeks, but the little I know of you I think I know that on your return your tales are going to be long and strenuous as your hike is going to be. Take care on the hike we all don't want to miss our weekly cup of woes