Cou cou toi !
Me again. How goes it? Do you have a long weekend? I do, so my sister and I decided to visit our grandma. Over the river and through the woods. Our bed at her house is like a five-star hotel bed. It’s a gigantic California King with a big fluffy down comforter, meticulously fluffed pillows, and crisp white bedding. The sheets seem cleaner than normal sheets, so clean that they’re freezing cold to the touch, even when it’s sunny and warm. The only thing missing is a rotary phone to call for room service french fries and a filthy martini.
Too bad I forgot my journal.
In the journal, I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.
The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me as emotionally and spiritually independent.
Therefore (alas) it does not simply record my actual, daily life but rather—in many cases—offers an alternative to it.”
—Susan Sontag
I’ve been stewing on this idea of “creating ourselves” both through the pages of a journal and through how we move through time & space. In some way, big or small, we are all perpetually creating ourselves: our sleep habits, the things we eat and drink, how we dress, the thoughts we think, the art we consume and create, our gardens, goals, hobbies, and habits.
It’s exciting. We can create whatever the hell we want. Don’t forget that.
As Joe Dirt said, “Life’s a garden. Dig it.”
XX,
CZ
In what ways did you “create yourself” this weekend?
What would be your dream creation?
Jumping off points: a certain style of house, a chapter living abroad, a big wild garden, family, work of art, a meal, a wedding, literally anything. No dream creation is too small or big.
Is there anything you can do this week to get an inch closer to realizing that dream creation? Hint: there is! If you’d like to, share your dream creation by either responding to this email or commenting below (if on Substack). If you’d like some help with ideas on how to get closer to it this week, include “ideas please” in your note. Ideation is my superpower.
Thanks so much for reading! Want to connect more? Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Bookshop. If you enjoy Secret Librairie, please share this newsletter with a friend. I appreciate you deeply. Thank you for being here!
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