Captain's log

week 2

Hello everyone! Last week, I felt some stuff so I wrote some stuff. Since then I have created this Substack and ventured to share it with you all. I have been amazed by the response. It is so special to hear which parts of my writing have resonated. Almost all feedback has opened the door for a different type of conversation and a new shared intimacy. Turns out my stuff looks like your stuff. 

I ended up releasing four posts in four days. I wrote late at night, inspired but also fully indulging in revenge bedtime procrastination. It was fun, even if my circadian rhythm is now aligned to Hawaii’s time zone. It is also not what every week is going to look like. Moving forward, you will most likely hear from me once a week-ish. I do plan to keep going with this for as long as makes sense, and whenever inspiration hits.

I would love to grow this Substack because I can’t help myself, and also because the thought of bringing more people together in a community not run by an algorithm feels like the antidote to some modern malaise. It’s no surprise as relational beings we are each others’ key to maintaining sanity and humanity, especially these days in the face of devastating news we are barely able to digest before the next cycle is served. Numerous studies have shown even the weakest of social ties can be as impactful to our health as the bestest of friends. I feel grateful to have both categories receiving this right now, in addition to folks I don’t even know yet (Hi Alexa!). Inside Thoughts is here for many reasons, not the least of which is to engender a kind of social trust and enable more honest, thoughtful, and connected conversation. Plus a chuckle or two together is kind of like a hug.

I shared this publication to my social media on Friday and only a tiny piece of me died inside. Please share with friends and family if you’d like. And please always share with me your thoughts, feelings, reflections, ideas. Maybe hold onto the spelling mistakes, those are reserved for me to spot like Waldo immediately after hitting send. 

Some things in life just aren’t that deep, you likely won’t read about them here though, outside of my favorite dated pop culture references. I may be the more emotionally regulated adult equivalent of a term I learned recently from Dr. Becky - a DFK: deeply feeling kid. There’s also levity in knowing for yourself and in assuring others; we are not alone (and I’m not talking about aliens, though maybe them too). Consider this a long form “OMG SAME”.

Thank you for being here, for subscribing and in some cases even upgrading your subscriptions. It means and says so much. I know everyone’s inbox is most probably an overstimulated mess. You can of course unsubscribe at any time. 

Can’t wait to share more and hopefully encourage you to do the same. 

With love from your sometimes funny always le tired friend,
Manasa 

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ICYMI: Do you have to know sorrow to know kindness | Career guilt | Where are you from? | Mama uses good words and bad | What do we owe each other?

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