Happy 1st Anniversary to Us! 🥳
Celebrating digital friendships formed with pictures and thoughts.
This is Essay #113
*Open this in the Substack app since it’s likely too long for your email! Lots of Pictures!’
Welcome to our safe space! Susan Speaks is celebrating one year on Substack. And they said it wouldn’t last. 😂
To all of you who joined me from the very first day, and you’re still here… what’s wrong with you!? 🤔
And to the many recent new subscribers, you’re now in a community of very intelligent, sincere, and just plain nice people. Thanks for being here!
A toast to all of us!
One Year Ago Today! 🎂
I took the plunge and decided to try my hand at writing on Substack. From advertising copywriter to essays, this has been a helluva leap. I believe in my heart that writing Susan Speaks has saved my sanity after aging out being forced out of the ad business. Turns out they think your ideas and abilities expire when you turn a “certain age”. 🙄
This experience has been far more meaningful than I could have imagined. It seems people are looking for other people who share their feelings and views. In front of our screens, we’re sharing our lives and forming digital friendships that often result in lunches, dinners, and drinks!
I’ve also been able to share some of my photography. This was the first photo I showed in this space, The National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
And throughout this tumultuous year, we’ve stuck together here. We’ve shared our frustrations, opinions, ideas, and experiences.
And together, we’re watching the country burn, wondering what’s next.
There’s great comfort in all this sharing… at least for me.
And, you have validated me in so many ways. As a freelance copywriter now, I work alone. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of and while I generally trust my instincts, self-doubt creeps in, maybe a bit of depression, and I think, just who the hell do I think I am, anyway? 😂
And then you remind me.
Photography took a back seat for a bit, but I’m wading out of my funk and I’m starting to get back to it. (Thanks,
) Here are some very recent images and some of my favorites from the files. (And, excuse the pitch, but you can view the entire portfolio and purchase any of these at: www.susanniemann.smugmug.com)New Subscribers, you may not have seen these and I hope you enjoy them.
Here’s to a year of friendships in the books! Thanks for reading and looking and just being here. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Love you guys! ✌️💙
Congratulations! Glad that you're released from the surly bonds of advertising. Not only do you have some wonderful photographs, pithy comments, and a significant newsletter, I also note that you often comment on others' Substacks, Glad you're a part of this Community.
Congratulations! How time flies when we're having fun (wish we were having fun), but you're part of helping us remain sane. Here's to year 2!