I have a confession

I’d say, 'don’t take it personal', but then I’d be quoting D’banj and well…

after the rain, 22.07.25, a flower whose name I’ve been searching for

My confession: lately, this newsletter has been feeling like a chore.

*insert gasp*

When I began my newsletter journey in 2021, pure enjoyment and having a space to write without the pressure of it ‘looking good’ was the goal. And although I’ve had two newsletters here and four different newsletter names, for most of the journey, it’s been that way. I’ve been excited to come to the page, write, and then share.

But this year, only this piece and maybe this one were written with excitement and from genuine desire. Every other time, I’ve come to the page begrudgingly, trying to find a way out – which is why sometimes I just reposted works I published elsewhere. Before, I looked forward to writing for this newsletter; now, it feels like an inconvenience.

I recently changed the name of this newsletter from Nostalgia Trip to anything, everything, & books. I felt the name change was imminent because I was in a different season – and a different person – from when I started Nostalgia Trip. Now, I’m realising it’s not just a name change that was looming but a change in desire, in goals, and in structure: how I show up, how often I do it, and what I show up with. Now, I have a few ideas of what I want.

However, unlike with the name change, I want to take things slowly. I want to fully (or as much as I can) discover what this space is meant to be for me at this point in my life.

And more importantly, I need space. I need to exist without the pressure this newsletter has been exuding into my life for most of the year. So, I’m taking a break. I can’t be specific with a timeline – it will probably be months – but I assure you that I want to come back. I plan on it. So hopefully, inshallah, I’ll see you then.

Take care of yourself <3