Michelle, meet Landon! Landon, meet Michelle! The two of you are both in my Road Feast posse and exude awesomeness. You both need to connect here on Substack -- because you both "get it." Enjoy. - Seth ✦ (not a grumpy cat, but sometimes a dog who probably hides under the bed far enough where you can't reach it and makes moopy noises)
Ahahaha hiii Seth! 👋 thanks for the intro &&& lol, I'm pretty sure Landon & I have been connected for a while even before this. But yaaas, great to have a connection in common for sure, the community is coming along nicely 🥹
Also a fellow grumpy cat here. It’s a hard balance between honoring who I am, letting people in, and staying connected in the world. We don’t have to have lots of friends I don’t think. But it is important we have connection that is meaningful and regularly occurring for our longevity. So I think I have to constantly remind myself that, one, I accept my grumpy cat status and, two, that I will continue to challenge myself to stay vulnerable and attempt connection regularly. It’s not easy. It’s not my natural state. But it’s important.
Landon, meet Michelle! Michelle, meet Landon! The two of you are both in my Road Feast posse and exude awesomeness. You both need to connect here on Substack -- because you both "get it." Enjoy. - Seth ✦ (not a grumpy cat, but sometimes a dog who probably hides under the bed far enough where you can't reach it and makes moopy noises)
"But the most crucial truth is that all these architectures answer to the same human need: to be known." So good.... just always obsessed by how you read things so wonderfully, in a way we can all benefit from one person's confessions.
Oh this such a specific & powerful feedback! I've been a bit conscious of it from the start, like trying to find the singular truth within the letters that has the ability to apply to other people; I'm so glad it's working, thank you for taking the time to let me know ♡♡♡
I was going to say something about the human need for relationships, but I couldn’t have said it better myself. Something I would like to convey to the Grumpy Cat in the letter is this… what you have put out here is, for sure, scary. I have been there and, even though not completely, I somewhat relate to what you must be going through.
Sometimes we are just too protective of ourselves and keep the spotlight on ourselves, trying to make sure we don’t let ourselves get hurt in any way… whether it’s getting ghosted by someone you adore, not getting invited to a party by someone you thought would invite you, waiting hours for people to reply while watching them post stories on Instagram, having the time of their lives, etc.
I know changing one’s fundamental self is almost never a practical solution, but what helped me get better at friendships was zooming out the perspective from which I used to see people. Everyone has their own insecurities, their own problems to deal with, their own sides they’re not very comfortable with. When we open ourselves up and try to create space for them, the grumpy version of ourselves that they see starts to fade. They begin to trust us more, want to share little moments with us, and feel much more comfortable showing their vulnerable sides. That opens up possibilities for creating memories we cherish for years to come.
Just give them a chance to truly show themselves to you… it might help you find your balance.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I just feel you need a broader perspective and to let the hold you have on yourself loosen… just a little bit :)
Thank you Ankesh!! &&& as always, for being so generous with your time & leaving something for the letter sender. && you've left such an insightful & considerate way to look at their situation, giving a part of yourself in it. I'm really grateful for that. ♡♡
Another amazing piece, Michelle. I've got a basket that's small -- and have recently realized that I'm increasingly more of an "ambivert" as opposed to an extrovert -- all in the face of changing friendship circumstances as we get older. Well done.
Thanks for the feedback Seth! Definitely appreciate the time you took to read the piece. &&&& that's amazing that you that realisation recently, just goes to show that we're never truly incapable of change, even when it feels like that.
Thanks, Michelle. Well, you put out great work and I hope you get more eyeballs on your articles. Yes - Sometimes one has notions about oneself and it takes a while to see things differently I guess. - Seth ✦
About Grumpy Cat, let me add this from/to my Cat Theories. There are no "only grumpy" cats or "never grumpy" cats. Cats are both and very much both at the same time. Cats in their behaviour sometimes defy and sometimes follow the laws of physics. There is quantum superposition in physics. Superpositioned to that there is Cat Superposition, where Cat can be in two states simultaneously.
So nothing to worry about being grumpy. You are, but you are not.
Just enjoy your coffee enjoy your day.
Oh, btw, cat superposition was scientifically endorsed too (Schrödinger, et al...)
this really resonated with me. i'm a house cat and can be grumpy depending on who tries to interact with me. i tried being a golden retriever in the past and earned myself a burnout! so yup, house/grumpy cat personality is here to stay 😸
Super happy to hear it resonated with you! && thanks for taking the time to read & to leave some thoughts! Your fellow sometimes grumpy cat is content; never change! 😸🫶
Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback, ahaha, I feel validated that it's written in a way that feels relatable. (Really what I'm going for) ✨️
Thanks for sharing your own experience Landon! Really appreciate it & I'm sure our fellow grumpy cat sender is happy to know they're not alone. 😸
(& ahaha, why am I not so surprised you're also a grumpy cat 😹)
Michelle, meet Landon! Landon, meet Michelle! The two of you are both in my Road Feast posse and exude awesomeness. You both need to connect here on Substack -- because you both "get it." Enjoy. - Seth ✦ (not a grumpy cat, but sometimes a dog who probably hides under the bed far enough where you can't reach it and makes moopy noises)
Ahahaha hiii Seth! 👋 thanks for the intro &&& lol, I'm pretty sure Landon & I have been connected for a while even before this. But yaaas, great to have a connection in common for sure, the community is coming along nicely 🥹
Well, you two are just genuinely kind and thoughtful writers, Michelle. I call it as I see it, especially when it comes to building community.
Also a fellow grumpy cat here. It’s a hard balance between honoring who I am, letting people in, and staying connected in the world. We don’t have to have lots of friends I don’t think. But it is important we have connection that is meaningful and regularly occurring for our longevity. So I think I have to constantly remind myself that, one, I accept my grumpy cat status and, two, that I will continue to challenge myself to stay vulnerable and attempt connection regularly. It’s not easy. It’s not my natural state. But it’s important.
Landon, meet Michelle! Michelle, meet Landon! The two of you are both in my Road Feast posse and exude awesomeness. You both need to connect here on Substack -- because you both "get it." Enjoy. - Seth ✦ (not a grumpy cat, but sometimes a dog who probably hides under the bed far enough where you can't reach it and makes moopy noises)
Hii I'm a grumpy cat too🤍
It feels great to feel seen <3
Such a good read✨️
Hiiii my fellow grumpy cat! 👋 I'm so happy to hear that you felt seen, thank you for taking the time to let me know 🫶😸
"But the most crucial truth is that all these architectures answer to the same human need: to be known." So good.... just always obsessed by how you read things so wonderfully, in a way we can all benefit from one person's confessions.
Oh this such a specific & powerful feedback! I've been a bit conscious of it from the start, like trying to find the singular truth within the letters that has the ability to apply to other people; I'm so glad it's working, thank you for taking the time to let me know ♡♡♡
This was so creative! Loved it! ❤️❤️ Also, very relatable!
Thank you! But I can't take all the credit, someone did actually send in the unsent letter (:
Very insightful response as always, Michelle! <3
I was going to say something about the human need for relationships, but I couldn’t have said it better myself. Something I would like to convey to the Grumpy Cat in the letter is this… what you have put out here is, for sure, scary. I have been there and, even though not completely, I somewhat relate to what you must be going through.
Sometimes we are just too protective of ourselves and keep the spotlight on ourselves, trying to make sure we don’t let ourselves get hurt in any way… whether it’s getting ghosted by someone you adore, not getting invited to a party by someone you thought would invite you, waiting hours for people to reply while watching them post stories on Instagram, having the time of their lives, etc.
I know changing one’s fundamental self is almost never a practical solution, but what helped me get better at friendships was zooming out the perspective from which I used to see people. Everyone has their own insecurities, their own problems to deal with, their own sides they’re not very comfortable with. When we open ourselves up and try to create space for them, the grumpy version of ourselves that they see starts to fade. They begin to trust us more, want to share little moments with us, and feel much more comfortable showing their vulnerable sides. That opens up possibilities for creating memories we cherish for years to come.
Just give them a chance to truly show themselves to you… it might help you find your balance.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I just feel you need a broader perspective and to let the hold you have on yourself loosen… just a little bit :)
Thank you Ankesh!! &&& as always, for being so generous with your time & leaving something for the letter sender. && you've left such an insightful & considerate way to look at their situation, giving a part of yourself in it. I'm really grateful for that. ♡♡
Another amazing piece, Michelle. I've got a basket that's small -- and have recently realized that I'm increasingly more of an "ambivert" as opposed to an extrovert -- all in the face of changing friendship circumstances as we get older. Well done.
Thanks for the feedback Seth! Definitely appreciate the time you took to read the piece. &&&& that's amazing that you that realisation recently, just goes to show that we're never truly incapable of change, even when it feels like that.
Thanks, Michelle. Well, you put out great work and I hope you get more eyeballs on your articles. Yes - Sometimes one has notions about oneself and it takes a while to see things differently I guess. - Seth ✦
Wow this is so amazing.
thank youu for letting me know. ♡
Nice writing!
About Grumpy Cat, let me add this from/to my Cat Theories. There are no "only grumpy" cats or "never grumpy" cats. Cats are both and very much both at the same time. Cats in their behaviour sometimes defy and sometimes follow the laws of physics. There is quantum superposition in physics. Superpositioned to that there is Cat Superposition, where Cat can be in two states simultaneously.
So nothing to worry about being grumpy. You are, but you are not.
Just enjoy your coffee enjoy your day.
Oh, btw, cat superposition was scientifically endorsed too (Schrödinger, et al...)
Thanks Dean! ✨️ &&& aha, hope the letter sender also sees this (:
feel free to forward … 🙏🏼
You're welcome Be my pleasure beautiful read
this really resonated with me. i'm a house cat and can be grumpy depending on who tries to interact with me. i tried being a golden retriever in the past and earned myself a burnout! so yup, house/grumpy cat personality is here to stay 😸
Super happy to hear it resonated with you! && thanks for taking the time to read & to leave some thoughts! Your fellow sometimes grumpy cat is content; never change! 😸🫶
Really enjoyed this
So happy to read this! Thanks for letting me know Frank! 😸
Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback, ahaha, I feel validated that it's written in a way that feels relatable. (Really what I'm going for) ✨️
it makes me so happy to learn this ✨️