How have I missed Lena Dunham?

How do we all feel about Lena Dunham? The only reason I ask is because she’s in every feed I currently scroll through (which is mostly Insta to be fair) - so I can’t help but see her new book being shown a lot everywhere - and honestly, I’m intrigued.

I think you’ll be shocked when I say I don’t know much about her work. I know. This is not normal from me because you know I’m a sucker for a female writer or online personality who is OF THE MOMENT and who modern women, who also like a bit of zeitgeist, can’t get enough of. You know who I mean; the likes of Dolly Alderton and Emma Jane Unsworth. The ones where they’re labelled as the voice of a generation.

But I think I know why Lena Dunham missed me. Apparently Girls, her show that made her a cult feminine icon of being in your crazy twenties, aired in 2012 and omg my twins were in the process of being born then! I was therefore drowning in babies and nappies and sick and toys for years from then onwards - and let’s face it, I probably didn’t even know what was on tv let alone find the time to watch anything.

I’m going to watch it I think soon. Should I? Have you seen it? I’m finding myself influenced and thus drawn into her stuff lately. I don’t know why but I just presumed she was much, much younger than me, but I read that she’s actually nearly 40, (I’m 47) which changed my mind I guess.

I mean, I do know her. I do know who she is. But over the years I just haven’t immersed myself deep into her world enough in order to get to know more and more.

This week I downloaded a bit of her new book Famesick, as a trial to read, and I must say I immediately liked her work. She also writes a good newsletter on here.

I’ve said this before and will say it again but I don’t think there’s enough women writing or saying things in their forties, fifties and beyond, and so when I find someone whose writing I like and with whom I resonate a bit with it is like finding a tenner in your pocket; such a good feeling. I don’t think Lena and I have a lot in common as people, but I like her warmth, openness and wit that you just don’t get a lot of really. I like any kind of writing or story telling that makes you feel like they’re in a cafe or pub with just you.

I’m also a bit sick and tired of the constant narrative online of how to improve your life, or how to be a better person or how to live your best life. I mean, I need it and I do lap it up here and there but also sometimes I want to see/hear/read things that normal people go through and think about.

I guess most people are on Insta or TikTok now sharing their thoughts and musings in short form videos -and that’s great - but I do still like a column or a blog post to mull over and make me realise that the thoughts I have in my head and the things I obsess and worry over aren’t just me after all.

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