This is my first post of 2025 and those are embarrassing words to type. I didn’t mean to go quiet and I’m sorry for the months of silence. I am especially sorry to those who support me here.
There have been some big changes and I’ve been smiling more since last October. With that, after years of choosing to share a lot of my life publicly, while simultaneously not always loving my actual life, it’s been a healthy shift to allow those two things to switch. Lately, I’ve been feeling good and learning to be present in my story without constantly thinking, How quickly can I write about this on the Internet? That question was honestly the lens I saw the world through for a long time.
At the same time, I do want to share things. I want to use my voice. I want to be an encouragement. I love telling stories. I just want to find the balance, so that the stories I share come from a life that I feel good about.
Of course avoidance is a big piece of this as well. Not showing up leads to shame leads to more not showing up. An object in motion stays in motion…
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Here’s something that I hope can begin to make up for my extended quiet: In the weeks ahead, as a way to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of my book If You Feel Too Much, I’ll be revisiting all 44 stories, right here on Substack. These reflection posts will be a mix of writing and audio and I’m looking forward to looking back, from the perspective of a decade down the road. We’re just waiting on one important thing: A couple days ago I realized that I don’t currently own a copy of IYFTM. NAMI Northern Illinois hosted me for a speaking event in Rockford last month and apparently those kind folks bought every single book I had. So I ordered a fresh copy, which is arriving today.
In addition to the Substack posts, there will also be a special 10-Year Anniversary event on Thursday, July 10. (8pm ET) For this online happening, my plan is to read a few of my favorite stories, take a couple requests, and share some thoughts before we wrap things up with Q&A. If you’re not able to join us July 10, the event will be recorded. Each ticket purchase gives you access to the recording and tickets are available here.
Thank You for your patience and support. I’ll see you back here soon.
PS: The title of this post comes from the Gang of Youths song “Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane,” which is one of my all-time favorites and which led to some serious air drums a moment ago.
Bono’s Stories of Surrender made me cry six different times. And then a couple more times when I watched it with my parents. I might have ordered a poster and a shirt.
Thanks to a recommendation from my friend Kyle Griner, I’ve been loving Rob Bell’s new audiobook, A Feisty & Sobering Guide to Doing What You Love and (Also) (Still) (Somehow) Paying the Bills. Rob’s honest words are giving language to things that I’ve been wrestling with for years.
To work with me, whether that looks like a speaking event, coaching session, or small-group conversation, please visit my website.