Amy, I LOVED this. I knew a lot of this, but really got a lot out of reading it all strung together. Also, girl, yes a housekeeper. You're in your forties now. Outsource that shit.
My second apartment out of college, where I lived with two roommates, we split the cost of a monthly cleaning service. It wasn't that much divided between three people, even struggling 24-year-olds, and it kept us from fighting. If you need help cleaning, it's totally fine to pay for it!
Love your newsletters <3 I've had a housekeeper since I was 24. Shrug emoji. I don't like cleaning and I don't want to do it, so I don't. (This reminds me of Casey Rose Wilson saying she had an assistant when she was an assistant, lol). Re: book goals, anything that gives me the chance to be mean to myself...well, I won't do it. If you can set a goal and not beat yourself up about it, that's great! But if not, hard pass. And Pookie and Jett make me deeply uncomfortable, but the comments section is, as they say, fire #paigejeans
it's so interesting to hear about your writing and querying process, so thank you for sharing that. Tomboyland was my favorite book I read in 2023 based on your recommendation (and now one of my favorite books of all time, honestly) so it's lovely to hear that Melissa has been your mentor!
as far as reading goals, I always set one, I don't think I could give that up because I enjoy tracking my progress even if I don't meet the goal. to minimize the pressure, you could try setting a low goal? for me, a low goal is better than none at all, and then you get extra gold stars if you exceed it.
I LOVE to hear about all aspects of the beginning of your publication journey. It’s so so helpful for someone who is a few years out from that kind of work and wildly intimidated by all that. Thank you for sharing!
And I love hearing that you hired a housekeeper! I’m closer to that one, tbh. I must have a clean house and I pay for the other things I value and want in life, why not pay for the clean home I need to work in?
I set a Goodreads reading goal...but am also not above changing the goal mid-year if I'm not on track. I have My Husband and The Vulnerables right now and they are both under 300 pages - so far, so good! I use HelloFresh and have my home professionally cleaned once a month, and agree that it makes life feel manageable.
I like that. I should check out some shorter books, too! And I wish meal prep services worked for me (I'm too picky!) but having a housecleaner will be so delightful. Life is so busy!
Hiring a housecleaner has been one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health and marriage in the past year. There’s not enough time to do it all!
I copied Drea & did not do a reading goal this year -- the thought had never occurred to me because I, too, love a gold star! But I’m still tracking my books in goodreads so that helps. And we’ve had a monthly housekeeper for probably 5 or 6 years but haven’t started up again since we moved & I’m still undecided about it!
I think 4 books is great but also understand needing to put a limit on the amount of Pookie consumption. Ha! How exciting that you're working towards your book goals. We temporarily let our biweekly housekeeper go to save money (my husband is going back to school for Summer session) and I'm already missing the services. It's an absolute must for anyone who's able to outsource it.
Amy, I LOVED this. I knew a lot of this, but really got a lot out of reading it all strung together. Also, girl, yes a housekeeper. You're in your forties now. Outsource that shit.
Thank you! Again, Taurus culture. Luxury & comfort!
Hardcore agree that if you have the means to hire housecleaners pay them a livable wage and do it! Its a game changer.
It did free me up to sign up for something exciting that starts in March…☺️
A verrrry worthy investment indeed!
My second apartment out of college, where I lived with two roommates, we split the cost of a monthly cleaning service. It wasn't that much divided between three people, even struggling 24-year-olds, and it kept us from fighting. If you need help cleaning, it's totally fine to pay for it!
I bet that was such a peacekeeper! So smart!
Love your newsletters <3 I've had a housekeeper since I was 24. Shrug emoji. I don't like cleaning and I don't want to do it, so I don't. (This reminds me of Casey Rose Wilson saying she had an assistant when she was an assistant, lol). Re: book goals, anything that gives me the chance to be mean to myself...well, I won't do it. If you can set a goal and not beat yourself up about it, that's great! But if not, hard pass. And Pookie and Jett make me deeply uncomfortable, but the comments section is, as they say, fire #paigejeans
I love it. I feel so validated. #paigejeans #steakhouse
it's so interesting to hear about your writing and querying process, so thank you for sharing that. Tomboyland was my favorite book I read in 2023 based on your recommendation (and now one of my favorite books of all time, honestly) so it's lovely to hear that Melissa has been your mentor!
as far as reading goals, I always set one, I don't think I could give that up because I enjoy tracking my progress even if I don't meet the goal. to minimize the pressure, you could try setting a low goal? for me, a low goal is better than none at all, and then you get extra gold stars if you exceed it.
I'm so glad that you loved Tomboyland! And Melissa is the best! And I am glad I'm not the only gold star lover.
I LOVE to hear about all aspects of the beginning of your publication journey. It’s so so helpful for someone who is a few years out from that kind of work and wildly intimidated by all that. Thank you for sharing!
And I love hearing that you hired a housekeeper! I’m closer to that one, tbh. I must have a clean house and I pay for the other things I value and want in life, why not pay for the clean home I need to work in?
I feel so validated. And thanks for letting me share.
I set a Goodreads reading goal...but am also not above changing the goal mid-year if I'm not on track. I have My Husband and The Vulnerables right now and they are both under 300 pages - so far, so good! I use HelloFresh and have my home professionally cleaned once a month, and agree that it makes life feel manageable.
I like that. I should check out some shorter books, too! And I wish meal prep services worked for me (I'm too picky!) but having a housecleaner will be so delightful. Life is so busy!
Hiring a housecleaner has been one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health and marriage in the past year. There’s not enough time to do it all!
Again, I feel so validated! It's so much!
loved this-- love that bookshop too 💕
It's the most beautiful place. Feels magical.
I copied Drea & did not do a reading goal this year -- the thought had never occurred to me because I, too, love a gold star! But I’m still tracking my books in goodreads so that helps. And we’ve had a monthly housekeeper for probably 5 or 6 years but haven’t started up again since we moved & I’m still undecided about it!
I am stoked about having a housekeeper. And I thought I could hang but dang, I need a goal!
I think 4 books is great but also understand needing to put a limit on the amount of Pookie consumption. Ha! How exciting that you're working towards your book goals. We temporarily let our biweekly housekeeper go to save money (my husband is going back to school for Summer session) and I'm already missing the services. It's an absolute must for anyone who's able to outsource it.
I feel so validated! Lol Pookie Consumption made me CACKLE!