It’s beautiful to see a tonal shift here. Like you’re preparing the soil for planting, rather than pulling out the weeds. Excited to see what’s next for you!
Please write about your hacks for ADHD - very curious about your insight and advice. Also would love to read your thoughts on the Odyssey movie.
For your family to watch - if you can get a hold of an older series called "The Pretender" - I really enjoyed that when I was in high school. Your whole family would like it. I think the series was cut, so the ending of the series is rushed, but the episodes along the way are very heartwarming and also intriguing.
Thanks for this lovely update, Haley. (Btw, I also hold a lot of tension in my jaw from stress. I end up grinding my teeth quite a bit!) Please keep us updated on the middle grade novel. Writing MG fiction is an ambition of mine too! It can be so intimidating. though! If you ever want a beta reader to put eyes on the manuscript, I'm game! Also, it's so cool that my first kids book, which you edited, was one of the award-winners you mentioned. I'll always be grateful for your role in brining The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones into the world.
I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed Olivia’s new album after hearing kind of “meh” things about it. I think it’s relatively tight as a concept album and has some standout songs. That being said, I think possibly it resonates with me at this particular time. My husband and I are separating this summer and I feel very codependent and messy as we go through it. The sort of delusion of “drop dead” and the anxiety of the first half-ish of the album feels. Uh. A little pointed in the light of everything I’ve learned and gone through.
I will admit, although I’ve only been a periodic reader of yours and possibly never commented on anything, I find myself thinking of you often in the little list of women about whom I say “well if she can do it and survive and thrive, maybe I can too.” So thank you.
There are definitely some standout songs! I just found it spottier than Guts which I REALLY liked. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but you can absolutely recover and thrive.
I’m going to start calling my spirals curly Q’s. I’m getting a new special night guard for TMJ in the fall. I’m finding new therapists and looking into some new modalities to try. I hate to say it but I agree with you on Olivia Rodrigo’s new album. I absolutely love Gracie Abrams’ new album Daughter from Hell and Maisie Peters’ new album Florescence.
Ludwig is an absolute delight! I love that series so much. My nieces were big fans of Death in Paradise. And the spin off series, Beyond Paradise, is great, too. Shakespeare and Hathaway is fun also.
Hooray for healing through EMDR and the joys of ordinary life! I am so happy for you that this healing journey continues to deepen and give you new life. For jaw clenching, a night guard can make a big difference. Also, for this and other physical symptoms of stress/trauma, somatic experiencing can be life-changing. One practitioner I know has a monthly co-resting space (with access to archives and recordings) with a different focus each month. And July was actually on offering support to the jaw. If you're interested, it could give you an intro to SE and how it can help your body reconnect with felt safety. The group is called Held and can be found at lexyflorentina.com.
Haley, It always makes me smile when I see a new "Haley Stewart's Newsletter" in my "in box." Please keep writing and sharing. I love to "hear" from you.
I've been listening to the album This Music May Contain Hope. from RAYE (her where is my husband song is trending everywhere). There are some really good songs on there, and not just for the single lady yearning for her romance to come along, but also about just continuing on and not giving up yet.
I also hold tension in my jaw, especially while I sleep. In the year after my mom died, it was so bad that there were days where I couldn't open my mouth more than an inch and a half. Acupuncture and clinical massage helped a lot!
I really like Olivia Rodrigo's new album! Her past albums are kind of meh for me with a couple of favorites on each, but for some reason this one is really resonating with me. I've also been listening to Switchfoot's new album, Forever Now, and really enjoying it! Can you tell I'm a millennial? 😂
'Incomplete' immediately started playing in my head when I read your comment! Gosh, that's SUCH a great album. Bands like Switchfoot and Relient K ruined me against most contemporary Christian music.
Love all the ADHD thoughts…my brain also goes in 10 different directions.
Question for you…maybe for a later post even…how do you discern what is ok and not ok in practicing yoga as a Catholic? There’s nothing like a hot yoga workout. I’ve been going on and off for the past 10 years and the fruits seem good, but you hear stories… curious your thoughts
Well, I'm certainly not an expert on this but while I would not participate in yoga as a spiritual practice, I see no problem with it as a workout/stretching/breathwork which is typically what you find at your average American yoga studio. If stretches and physical movement themselves done with no other intent are spiritually dangerous, then lots of my training in ballet would also have been suspect and I should be nervous whenever I touch my toes (a yoga pose!).
I would love to hear what you do to release tension in your jaw!!
Very interested in your take on The Odyssey. My high schoolers read it in school recently and some friends have seen it with differing opinions.
We road-tripped recently and one of my favorite playlists was a 90s rock list- it was so fun! Brought back lots of memories. Also enjoying Allison Kraus and Rose Betts (love her voice). Skippinish when Robert Robertson was the lead singer is a family fave.
When you describe your train of thought when figuring out what to write about in Substack I feel like you’re describing my brain!
I liked many songs on Olivia Rodrigo's new album. Since you wrote in the comments that you preferred Guts, please share more about what you preferred in it. I've had to be very intentional about paying attention to lyrics because usually it's the melody that gets me. I've been listening to all of Beirut, my favorite band, lately. I quite enjoyed A Study of Losses, their 2025 album. Per a citation on Wikipedia, "A Study of Losses finds [Zach] Condon writing about disappearance, preservation and the impermanence of everything known to us – extinct animal species, lost architectural and literary treasures, the process of aging and other abstract concepts."
I hold tension in my jaw too! I got a mouth guard from my dentist because I clench my teeth while I sleep. I never thought about releasing the tension before… I quite happy pop in my mouth guard when I get into bed and clench away!
I always enjoy your miscellany letters. Happy summer!
It’s beautiful to see a tonal shift here. Like you’re preparing the soil for planting, rather than pulling out the weeds. Excited to see what’s next for you!
I really hope that's the case, but I think I have a lot more weeds to pull. The thing about weeds is they keep coming up!
Please write about your hacks for ADHD - very curious about your insight and advice. Also would love to read your thoughts on the Odyssey movie.
For your family to watch - if you can get a hold of an older series called "The Pretender" - I really enjoyed that when I was in high school. Your whole family would like it. I think the series was cut, so the ending of the series is rushed, but the episodes along the way are very heartwarming and also intriguing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pretender_(TV_series)
I'll try to work on both!
Yes Im also interested in the ADHD article!!! That is needed
Thanks for this lovely update, Haley. (Btw, I also hold a lot of tension in my jaw from stress. I end up grinding my teeth quite a bit!) Please keep us updated on the middle grade novel. Writing MG fiction is an ambition of mine too! It can be so intimidating. though! If you ever want a beta reader to put eyes on the manuscript, I'm game! Also, it's so cool that my first kids book, which you edited, was one of the award-winners you mentioned. I'll always be grateful for your role in brining The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones into the world.
I was so pleased for you with those awards!!!
I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed Olivia’s new album after hearing kind of “meh” things about it. I think it’s relatively tight as a concept album and has some standout songs. That being said, I think possibly it resonates with me at this particular time. My husband and I are separating this summer and I feel very codependent and messy as we go through it. The sort of delusion of “drop dead” and the anxiety of the first half-ish of the album feels. Uh. A little pointed in the light of everything I’ve learned and gone through.
I will admit, although I’ve only been a periodic reader of yours and possibly never commented on anything, I find myself thinking of you often in the little list of women about whom I say “well if she can do it and survive and thrive, maybe I can too.” So thank you.
There are definitely some standout songs! I just found it spottier than Guts which I REALLY liked. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but you can absolutely recover and thrive.
I’m going to start calling my spirals curly Q’s. I’m getting a new special night guard for TMJ in the fall. I’m finding new therapists and looking into some new modalities to try. I hate to say it but I agree with you on Olivia Rodrigo’s new album. I absolutely love Gracie Abrams’ new album Daughter from Hell and Maisie Peters’ new album Florescence.
I haven't really listened to either, so I'll check them out!
Ludwig is an absolute delight! I love that series so much. My nieces were big fans of Death in Paradise. And the spin off series, Beyond Paradise, is great, too. Shakespeare and Hathaway is fun also.
Hooray for healing through EMDR and the joys of ordinary life! I am so happy for you that this healing journey continues to deepen and give you new life. For jaw clenching, a night guard can make a big difference. Also, for this and other physical symptoms of stress/trauma, somatic experiencing can be life-changing. One practitioner I know has a monthly co-resting space (with access to archives and recordings) with a different focus each month. And July was actually on offering support to the jaw. If you're interested, it could give you an intro to SE and how it can help your body reconnect with felt safety. The group is called Held and can be found at lexyflorentina.com.
I'd actually really like that post on ADHD hacks!
I'm fighting for my life most of the time, lol, but I am learning some things that help!
Haley, It always makes me smile when I see a new "Haley Stewart's Newsletter" in my "in box." Please keep writing and sharing. I love to "hear" from you.
That's so kind, Donna! Thank you.
I've been listening to the album This Music May Contain Hope. from RAYE (her where is my husband song is trending everywhere). There are some really good songs on there, and not just for the single lady yearning for her romance to come along, but also about just continuing on and not giving up yet.
I started listening last night! Thanks for the rec!
I also hold tension in my jaw, especially while I sleep. In the year after my mom died, it was so bad that there were days where I couldn't open my mouth more than an inch and a half. Acupuncture and clinical massage helped a lot!
I really like Olivia Rodrigo's new album! Her past albums are kind of meh for me with a couple of favorites on each, but for some reason this one is really resonating with me. I've also been listening to Switchfoot's new album, Forever Now, and really enjoying it! Can you tell I'm a millennial? 😂
New Way to Be Human is etched into my brain forever!
'Incomplete' immediately started playing in my head when I read your comment! Gosh, that's SUCH a great album. Bands like Switchfoot and Relient K ruined me against most contemporary Christian music.
Love all the ADHD thoughts…my brain also goes in 10 different directions.
Question for you…maybe for a later post even…how do you discern what is ok and not ok in practicing yoga as a Catholic? There’s nothing like a hot yoga workout. I’ve been going on and off for the past 10 years and the fruits seem good, but you hear stories… curious your thoughts
Well, I'm certainly not an expert on this but while I would not participate in yoga as a spiritual practice, I see no problem with it as a workout/stretching/breathwork which is typically what you find at your average American yoga studio. If stretches and physical movement themselves done with no other intent are spiritually dangerous, then lots of my training in ballet would also have been suspect and I should be nervous whenever I touch my toes (a yoga pose!).
Have you ever heard of the Young Fables? https://www.theyoungfables.com/ I just saw them and Carrie Welling. I think you might like them!
I haven't! I'll check them out!
I would love to hear what you do to release tension in your jaw!!
Very interested in your take on The Odyssey. My high schoolers read it in school recently and some friends have seen it with differing opinions.
We road-tripped recently and one of my favorite playlists was a 90s rock list- it was so fun! Brought back lots of memories. Also enjoying Allison Kraus and Rose Betts (love her voice). Skippinish when Robert Robertson was the lead singer is a family fave.
When you describe your train of thought when figuring out what to write about in Substack I feel like you’re describing my brain!
I liked many songs on Olivia Rodrigo's new album. Since you wrote in the comments that you preferred Guts, please share more about what you preferred in it. I've had to be very intentional about paying attention to lyrics because usually it's the melody that gets me. I've been listening to all of Beirut, my favorite band, lately. I quite enjoyed A Study of Losses, their 2025 album. Per a citation on Wikipedia, "A Study of Losses finds [Zach] Condon writing about disappearance, preservation and the impermanence of everything known to us – extinct animal species, lost architectural and literary treasures, the process of aging and other abstract concepts."
I hold tension in my jaw too! I got a mouth guard from my dentist because I clench my teeth while I sleep. I never thought about releasing the tension before… I quite happy pop in my mouth guard when I get into bed and clench away!
I always enjoy your miscellany letters. Happy summer!