I’m all over this. About to write a post about the truth of my doings on Substack cause numbers don’t lie. I’m feeling restless and I currently go where the wind takes me, throwing proverbial spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. From the first time we met here, you’ve felt like ‘my kind of people’ so I’m joyfully bird-donutting along with you. Here’s to finding our legs on a forever rocking ship🍹🍾🥂
The best piece of "career advice" I ever received was this: Don't confuse comfort with complacency. There's comfort in repetition because it feels familiar. There's an ease to being on auto-pilot. But your advice to pay attention to the repetition is super important.
I've found self-imposed sabbaticals to be incredibly clarifying. I take a multi-week break from whatever habit or activity feels repetitive. I even proclaim it as a sabbatical or leave of absence if other people are involved. (It seems to help the back off and give me some space instead of pressuring me about coming back.) Before deciding whether to return I ask, "Do I miss it? Does it bring me joy?" It's freeing to let go of what no longer serves us.
Congratulations on taking a sabbatical from Wildhood Wanted, letting go of what no longer was serving you, and creating something magical in its place. 😍👏👏👏
Cathy, you totally get it. Your comments feel SO reassuring! I did take time off for the holidays after publishing my last WW post in November and as you said, I found myself feeling okay about "What if I just let it go?"
We should always allow ourselves to go with our gut and follow our creativity. Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Kristi, this piece hit me right in the feels—those fat, happy birds showing up in droves for your seed donuts are the perfect metaphor for knowing when it's time to let something new land. You're so right: circling the same themes isn't always a sign we haven't "figured it out," but often proof that we *have*, and it's time to fly to the next feeder.
Loving the bold move to retire *Wildhood Wanted* and lean into *Homebody(ish)*—it sounds like the coziest, most authentic evolution. (Tiny houseplants as decor? Genius. I'm stealing that.) Your reminder that there's no prize for staying longer than needed is pure liberation, especially for anyone stuck in that weird in-between-ness.
Thank you for modeling how to listen to your creative energy and pivot with grace. Here's to 2026 being full of fresh donuts (literal and metaphorical) and whatever beautiful weirdness comes next. 🐦🌿✨
Thank you for this encouragement! Even though I was confident in my decision, the validation I'm receiving has been so welcome. It's hard to ditch something you've done for so long!
These friggin birds (and one rabbit living in the neighbor's yard 🤣) are like a babysitting job lol.
Thank you again for your positive vibes and welcome to the couch! I promise we'll have more than just birds and Netflix here 😁
Ha ha, interesting that this should arrive today just after finally deciding that Zambia was not going to be my ‘home’ forever as I had thought when I moved here 3 and a half years ago. My resistance to change was at last overridden by my ‘power of reason’ which asked me why I was continuing to fight and finance the system for visas when, - as my ‘Truth Of The Day’ note today reminded me - unlike a tree or a flower, I could choose to move. 😀
Ah, look at you, Kristi, love, talking about "creative changes" and "life edits" like you’re curateing a museum instead of just trying to decide where the hell to put the good chairs. Isn't it well for some to have the time to be intentionally messy?
If I left a corner of my house intentionally messy, the mother-in-law would have a heart attack before she’d even gotten her coat off, and I’d be labeled the un-tidy woman of the parish for the next three generations.
I’m reading this and looking at my own crew. I’ve a teenager with blonde hair that I haven't seen the face of in three weeks because she’s creating a fortress of laundry in her room, and a toddler who thinks creative change involves using a permanent marker on the baby’s forehead.
My "creative process" usually involves me screaming, "Who left the immersion on?" while trying to find a matching sock in a mountain of clothes that’s currently more of an installation than a wardrobe.
You’re talking about "embracing the shift," and I’m just over here shifting the piles of school books from the table so we can actually eat our dinner without getting ink in the gravy. I tell the husband we’re reimagining the space, and he just asks if that’s why he can't find the TV remote.
But listen, fair play to you. It’s lovely to think we’re not just failing at housework, we’re actually evolving artists. I’ll remember that the next time the baby boy decides to "edit" the wallpaper with his mashed carrots. I’m not a Type A mom, clearly I’m a visionary. Now, pass me the tea before I "creatively" lose my mind entirely!
Seainin, this has got to be the best thing I've read so far today 🤣 I suppose since I'm old and now childless, I assume everyone is at the same stage in life.
Trust me, I remember the days when my son set the basement carpet on fire while playing with tealight candles. And got caught stealing from the local store. 🤣 I can laugh fondly now because he is resting peacefully among the stars, but I remember the overwhelm like it was yesterday!!! There was ZERO creative life editing going on 😁
I definitely hear the sentiment that you have to write what's fulfilling to you first. I'm never very good at writing what I "should". Besides, I think our genius shines through more clearly when we can write from a place of authenticity.
Years ago I read a line by Sherman Alexie that (roughly) said getting old amounted to “sitting on the front porch misidentifying birds.” He’s not wrong, I just didn’t know it would be so gratifying
Kristi- big, big ups! I quit socials 8 years ago so ventured into substack with trepidation last year to support a friend- found you- and enjoyed in a fringey kinda way… now upgrading from enthusiastic observer to YES! 🙌🏼 can’t wait to witness the unfolding (and perhaps even engage a bit down the road!)
"Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is move your chair. Or your publication. Or your entire livelihood."
I feel like I just unfolded the best fortune cookie message ever! I'm actually heading to the airport right now. You can't even buy a beer for $17.95 at YYZ anymore!
I'm pulling my (non-ergonomic) chair in closer to listen in.
Hahahaa maybe I need to get into fortune cookie-ing on the side 🤣
Are you serious about beer at YYZ? I remember paying about $15 CAD for a personal pan pizza (4 slices) at MBJ at least 10 years ago. It's murder out there!
I'm always serious about beer! And now I'm wondering why someone hasn't trialed a fortune cookie-flavoured beer for the Chinese New Year. As for pizza, I'm happy(ish) to report that when we were at the Cancun airport two days ago, two 20oz. XX amber beers and one chicken ranch pizza (the size of a front tricycle wheel) from Guy Fieri's Flavourtown Pizza Parlor was 697 MEX ($56 CAD) which is VERY impressive for an airport and all things Guy.
I’m all over this. About to write a post about the truth of my doings on Substack cause numbers don’t lie. I’m feeling restless and I currently go where the wind takes me, throwing proverbial spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. From the first time we met here, you’ve felt like ‘my kind of people’ so I’m joyfully bird-donutting along with you. Here’s to finding our legs on a forever rocking ship🍹🍾🥂
Bird-donuting!!! You just invented a new verb 😆 I'm so happy you're here, the wind hasn't blown you away!
Hey...if you ever want to guest-post and see if you can hijack some of my audience, let me know!
I’m def interested I’ll have to figure out what might be interesting.
The best piece of "career advice" I ever received was this: Don't confuse comfort with complacency. There's comfort in repetition because it feels familiar. There's an ease to being on auto-pilot. But your advice to pay attention to the repetition is super important.
I've found self-imposed sabbaticals to be incredibly clarifying. I take a multi-week break from whatever habit or activity feels repetitive. I even proclaim it as a sabbatical or leave of absence if other people are involved. (It seems to help the back off and give me some space instead of pressuring me about coming back.) Before deciding whether to return I ask, "Do I miss it? Does it bring me joy?" It's freeing to let go of what no longer serves us.
Congratulations on taking a sabbatical from Wildhood Wanted, letting go of what no longer was serving you, and creating something magical in its place. 😍👏👏👏
Cathy, you totally get it. Your comments feel SO reassuring! I did take time off for the holidays after publishing my last WW post in November and as you said, I found myself feeling okay about "What if I just let it go?"
We should always allow ourselves to go with our gut and follow our creativity. Thank you so much for your encouragement!
Kristi, this piece hit me right in the feels—those fat, happy birds showing up in droves for your seed donuts are the perfect metaphor for knowing when it's time to let something new land. You're so right: circling the same themes isn't always a sign we haven't "figured it out," but often proof that we *have*, and it's time to fly to the next feeder.
Loving the bold move to retire *Wildhood Wanted* and lean into *Homebody(ish)*—it sounds like the coziest, most authentic evolution. (Tiny houseplants as decor? Genius. I'm stealing that.) Your reminder that there's no prize for staying longer than needed is pure liberation, especially for anyone stuck in that weird in-between-ness.
Thank you for modeling how to listen to your creative energy and pivot with grace. Here's to 2026 being full of fresh donuts (literal and metaphorical) and whatever beautiful weirdness comes next. 🐦🌿✨
Thank you for this encouragement! Even though I was confident in my decision, the validation I'm receiving has been so welcome. It's hard to ditch something you've done for so long!
These friggin birds (and one rabbit living in the neighbor's yard 🤣) are like a babysitting job lol.
Thank you again for your positive vibes and welcome to the couch! I promise we'll have more than just birds and Netflix here 😁
Keep the connection with me and subscribe 🫂
Without it sounding condescending, I want to say I’m so proud of you. This is PERFECT.
How could that ever be condescending!? ❤️ Thank you Andrea. We humans should probably be proud of each other more often, hey?
I dunno. Some people resist momisms like that.
I think your pivot sounds awesome. I’m so in.
Ha ha, interesting that this should arrive today just after finally deciding that Zambia was not going to be my ‘home’ forever as I had thought when I moved here 3 and a half years ago. My resistance to change was at last overridden by my ‘power of reason’ which asked me why I was continuing to fight and finance the system for visas when, - as my ‘Truth Of The Day’ note today reminded me - unlike a tree or a flower, I could choose to move. 😀
Thats a big life decision, isnt it! I have always loved that tree quote, we are never planted.
Are you still in Jamaica? I’m most likely heading to Belize.
Ooooh no, I'm not. I haven't been back since 2018!
Ah, look at you, Kristi, love, talking about "creative changes" and "life edits" like you’re curateing a museum instead of just trying to decide where the hell to put the good chairs. Isn't it well for some to have the time to be intentionally messy?
If I left a corner of my house intentionally messy, the mother-in-law would have a heart attack before she’d even gotten her coat off, and I’d be labeled the un-tidy woman of the parish for the next three generations.
I’m reading this and looking at my own crew. I’ve a teenager with blonde hair that I haven't seen the face of in three weeks because she’s creating a fortress of laundry in her room, and a toddler who thinks creative change involves using a permanent marker on the baby’s forehead.
My "creative process" usually involves me screaming, "Who left the immersion on?" while trying to find a matching sock in a mountain of clothes that’s currently more of an installation than a wardrobe.
You’re talking about "embracing the shift," and I’m just over here shifting the piles of school books from the table so we can actually eat our dinner without getting ink in the gravy. I tell the husband we’re reimagining the space, and he just asks if that’s why he can't find the TV remote.
But listen, fair play to you. It’s lovely to think we’re not just failing at housework, we’re actually evolving artists. I’ll remember that the next time the baby boy decides to "edit" the wallpaper with his mashed carrots. I’m not a Type A mom, clearly I’m a visionary. Now, pass me the tea before I "creatively" lose my mind entirely!
Seainin, this has got to be the best thing I've read so far today 🤣 I suppose since I'm old and now childless, I assume everyone is at the same stage in life.
Trust me, I remember the days when my son set the basement carpet on fire while playing with tealight candles. And got caught stealing from the local store. 🤣 I can laugh fondly now because he is resting peacefully among the stars, but I remember the overwhelm like it was yesterday!!! There was ZERO creative life editing going on 😁
Really like your changes, both visually and what you're writing about. :)
Thank you so much Sue!
I like the idea of the Fat Bird tshirts.
Come our bird yard
We have a nice feeder trough
🤠🐦🐦🦆
Just what I needed to read this evening as I am definitely transitioning too.
Perfect. Welcome to the couch! 🛋
Thank you!
I love this, and I’m glad I’m along for the ride. Very relevant.
Maybe I'll create "fat little bird" tshirts and send them to my subscribers 😆
Love the new look Kristi 👊🏼
Thanks Henny!
I definitely hear the sentiment that you have to write what's fulfilling to you first. I'm never very good at writing what I "should". Besides, I think our genius shines through more clearly when we can write from a place of authenticity.
I agree 100%!! I'm all for making my readers happy but first, I need my joy to shine through 👌
Years ago I read a line by Sherman Alexie that (roughly) said getting old amounted to “sitting on the front porch misidentifying birds.” He’s not wrong, I just didn’t know it would be so gratifying
LOL that’s a fabulous quote! I may have to fly that flag 😆
I had no idea so many people would identify with the bird thing. It’s such a weird but gratifying shift!
I think we all just want feathers and to be able to fly above the fray…
What a lovely visual that conjures up!
Kristi- big, big ups! I quit socials 8 years ago so ventured into substack with trepidation last year to support a friend- found you- and enjoyed in a fringey kinda way… now upgrading from enthusiastic observer to YES! 🙌🏼 can’t wait to witness the unfolding (and perhaps even engage a bit down the road!)
Yaay! I’m so glad you’re sticking with the journey!
I can’t help but notice you said “big ups”. Are you Jamaican or have ties to Jamaica?
Hmmm- no-? 😊 I’ve said that for decades-! Wasn’t aware it was even a ‘thing’, let alone where I picked up? 😂
That is VERY interesting because "big up" is totally a Jamaican thing. Regardless, BIG UP to you for being here 😁
I have my own fat birds and I love them all. Thank you for creating a space for us. ❤️
You're welcome!! It's so gratifying being a bird lady 😆
Especially when the local murder of crows bring trinkets. ❤️
My neighbor has two huge crows in his yard, constantly picking at trinkets lol
"Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is move your chair. Or your publication. Or your entire livelihood."
I feel like I just unfolded the best fortune cookie message ever! I'm actually heading to the airport right now. You can't even buy a beer for $17.95 at YYZ anymore!
I'm pulling my (non-ergonomic) chair in closer to listen in.
Hahahaa maybe I need to get into fortune cookie-ing on the side 🤣
Are you serious about beer at YYZ? I remember paying about $15 CAD for a personal pan pizza (4 slices) at MBJ at least 10 years ago. It's murder out there!
I'm always serious about beer! And now I'm wondering why someone hasn't trialed a fortune cookie-flavoured beer for the Chinese New Year. As for pizza, I'm happy(ish) to report that when we were at the Cancun airport two days ago, two 20oz. XX amber beers and one chicken ranch pizza (the size of a front tricycle wheel) from Guy Fieri's Flavourtown Pizza Parlor was 697 MEX ($56 CAD) which is VERY impressive for an airport and all things Guy.