A while back, inspired by my mother-in-law’s obsession with glitter wrapping paper, I started using the term “throwing glitter” as shorthand for cheering for others. One thing I’d really like to use this Substack for is sharing the work of other creators.
(I also try to do this on Instagram, but the less time I spend there, the more I want to intentionally pivot my cheerleading energy elsewhere. 📣 )
I’m embarrassed to tell you how much time I’ve spent trying to come up with a clever name for these types of posts. A weekly roundup is anything but original, and it sort of feels like all of the good names are already taken (see: Five Quick Things, Lil Treasures, One Last Thing). This morning I sat in bed drinking my coffee contemplating—what sounds and feels most like me?
Almost immediately, the answer bubbled up inside my head. Throwing glitter.
I make no promises as to how often I will do these round-ups. One of the best parts of quietly launching a (free) Substack and making zero fuss about it is that I very much feel like I can do whatever I want here. Maybe this will become a weekly feature! Maybe not! Who knows? Who cares?
After that riveting introduction, here we go … ❤️
Social media puts my mind into a sort of crazed neurological buzz. When I use it regularly, I find my mind jostled by a ferocious torrent of its own thoughts. In this state, the world becomes exceedingly threatening, as I am inclined to indulge catastrophes real and imagined. I am plagued by an unshakable premonition, a detachment from my life and its contents, and a vague but persistent apathy towards this lackluster world. // from “Ultimately Insatiable” by Claire Nelson for Ekstasis Magazine
If we believe in the story of Jesus, and it is married to every part of us then it will reveal itself even if we don’t try. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t let ourselves speak about this beautiful story if we believe it. But it does mean that we don’t have to try to so hard to make our art mean something. Sometimes just witnessing to your experience, with all it’s pain and glory, is creating for God. // from “The Role of the Artist, Part 3” by Christiana Peterson
If you need something, call me. I’m the girl you want next to you when you’re stuck on a tarmac, or caught with a diaper blowout, or about to be eaten alive by ravenous preschoolers who just had their lunch an hour ago. Did somebody say fruit snacks? You want Welch’s or actual freeze dried fruit? I got you, girl. // from “Maximalist Mom” by Adrienne Garrison for Coffee + Crumbs
Sure the wait was longer than any of us would have liked, but everyone was kind. The entire place was clean. The doctor took her time with us once she came in. They did their best. Aren’t most people doing the best they can? // from “I Fill Out All The Surveys Now” by Molly Flinkman
Sixty days before my house burned down, my husband found a tooth in his donut. I even had notes toward this tooth-in-the-donut story that were all turned into ash on my desk. But if you rearrange all the ash – like I am doing here – the ash spells out pieces of this story instead. My house burning down is a tooth in my whole family’s mouth we never thought would belong to us. // from “Damages” by Sabrina Orah Mark for Astra Magazine
P.s. A few other good things …
Book Recs //
Gluing the Cracks (beautiful collection of essays about hope)
Mother Noise (power memoir about addiction)
Let There Be Art (must-read book about creativity)
And on my going-to-read-the-second-it-arrives-on-my-porch list: Start with Hello
Little Luxuries //
Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve bought lately (I wear a 6.5 and ordered a 7)
Will this pretty weekly meal planner actually help me meal prep? TBD. Should be here in 3-4 business days.
Speaking of which, Brett and I kick off another round of Whole 30 this Monday. This sheet pan recipe was a major favorite last time.
… that’s all I’ve got.
Any links you want to share with me? Dump ‘em below! Brett and I also need a new show to watch this fall, if you have any recommendations …
I never stop feeling honored to be someone covered in your glitter.