Christopher, you’re a phenomenal writer. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your Substack! Very much looking forward to hearing more from you as I navigate my own bouts with our mutual friend adversity. ☺️
Hi Maddie! Thank you so much for the kind words. I just started reading yours and you are a wonderful writer too. I agree - it seems we have a lot in common!
Just found you Mika's chat and the knowledge that you wrote on Imposter Syndrome (will look for that one next!). I am so moved by your writing, both style and content. As a hospital chaplain, I work with people with initial diagnoses and know that your story will resonate with so many. Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you! I'm so happy for that thread. I only barely scratched the surface before it crashed my web browser. I appreciate you subscribing and look forward to reading/following your site.
Hey Chris! When I read this, it was like reading my own book! I made a lot of the same missteps and realizations along the way. Even our site names are similar LOL. I chose the positive perspective because that's how I feel I always portray myself. Glad we connected.
Just found this (and subscribed) thanks to your comment about subscribing to my “Changing Lives” newsletter https://wendigordon.substack.com. I also restacked it to help others find it!
Love the name you came up with. I too did the face palm thing thinking ‘eureka!’ Only to realize the next day my brilliant name idea was not so great. Landing on a good one feels like such a win!
Good luck on your journey. I look forward to reading along.
Wow, Chris. Thanks for this website and project. Made my day! I am in an adult long term care facility due to my disability. Looking forward to some fun. Adversity eat shit and die.
I'm so happy to have found you here. Reading your opener I could've replaced your diagnosis with mine and mirrored almost everything else to a tee. I just saw a post today by one of my favorite poets Andrea Gibson @thingsthatdontsuck, who compared their pain to a spider. "All of my pain is a spider I've learned not crush with the heel of my shoe but to guide with the page of a journal into an empty glass -asking questions about its life, its purpose, as I walk careful out to the garden and rest it down on the earth. My pain, how happy it is to leave me whenever I treat it kind."
Hi, Christopher. Just received your newsletter via "The Sample." Thanks for sharing about yourself and your project here. Great anecdote about how you named this "Hello, Adversity."
We are peers; I too am a 2008 college graduate ("Hello, Recession," we might say) and also experienced a challenging and adverse Winter 2013 which I am continuing to process and make meaning of through my own writing projects.
Hi Rian, nice to meet you! Glad that you found me via The Sample. I wasn't sure what to expect from submitting my newsletter there. Figured if I got one sign-up that would be a success. So I have already succeeded! I just signed up for your Substack and look forward to following your journey.
Happy to make your acquaintance. To me the best part of Substack has been discovering other writers and discovering the random shared interests / life experiences - which is exactly what happened to me reading your bio.
Christopher, you’re a phenomenal writer. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your Substack! Very much looking forward to hearing more from you as I navigate my own bouts with our mutual friend adversity. ☺️
Hi Maddie! Thank you so much for the kind words. I just started reading yours and you are a wonderful writer too. I agree - it seems we have a lot in common!
Hi there! I have to say, what a wonderful post! I also have a chronic condition - it’s called VACTERL and it’s even on the NORD website! ( lucky me 🙄)
My condition has been around since I was born and I can relate so much to what you wrote about your condition - like pretending it doesn’t exist.
I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks Melissa!
Such a moving and informative introduction to your story Chris 💛
Aw, thanks Jane!
Just found you Mika's chat and the knowledge that you wrote on Imposter Syndrome (will look for that one next!). I am so moved by your writing, both style and content. As a hospital chaplain, I work with people with initial diagnoses and know that your story will resonate with so many. Looking forward to reading more.
Thanks Christine! Just subscribed to yours - I like your writing as well.
What a courageous and beautiful essay. I'm touched and encouraged by your honesty and your desire to share your story with others!
Thank you Serena!
Hi Chris! Found you thanks to Sarah Fay's Notes thread. Love how you came to decide on the name for your Substack and the meaning behind it!
Thank you! I'm so happy for that thread. I only barely scratched the surface before it crashed my web browser. I appreciate you subscribing and look forward to reading/following your site.
Yes, that thread was a beast to get through! My browser definitely struggled too. But happy to have connected. ☺️
Same!
Hey Chris! When I read this, it was like reading my own book! I made a lot of the same missteps and realizations along the way. Even our site names are similar LOL. I chose the positive perspective because that's how I feel I always portray myself. Glad we connected.
Just found this (and subscribed) thanks to your comment about subscribing to my “Changing Lives” newsletter https://wendigordon.substack.com. I also restacked it to help others find it!
Thanks Wendi! Really appreciate it.
Great intro to your story and your newsletter.
Love the name you came up with. I too did the face palm thing thinking ‘eureka!’ Only to realize the next day my brilliant name idea was not so great. Landing on a good one feels like such a win!
Good luck on your journey. I look forward to reading along.
Thanks Kim! Just subscribed to yours.
You're off to a great start. I look forward to more. Adversity is our common companion in life, and I like the approach you have stated.
Thanks John!
What a courageous and beautiful essay. I'm touched and encouraged by your honesty and your desire to share your story with others!
Wow, Chris. Thanks for this website and project. Made my day! I am in an adult long term care facility due to my disability. Looking forward to some fun. Adversity eat shit and die.
Love this. Subscribing.
I'm so happy to have found you here. Reading your opener I could've replaced your diagnosis with mine and mirrored almost everything else to a tee. I just saw a post today by one of my favorite poets Andrea Gibson @thingsthatdontsuck, who compared their pain to a spider. "All of my pain is a spider I've learned not crush with the heel of my shoe but to guide with the page of a journal into an empty glass -asking questions about its life, its purpose, as I walk careful out to the garden and rest it down on the earth. My pain, how happy it is to leave me whenever I treat it kind."
Hi Chris, nice to learn more about you. Love the intro and the direction of your newsletter.
Having the energy of a tranquilized snail was hilarious, but so relatable.
Looking forward to the ride.
Hi, Christopher. Just received your newsletter via "The Sample." Thanks for sharing about yourself and your project here. Great anecdote about how you named this "Hello, Adversity."
We are peers; I too am a 2008 college graduate ("Hello, Recession," we might say) and also experienced a challenging and adverse Winter 2013 which I am continuing to process and make meaning of through my own writing projects.
I look forward to reading more!
Hi Rian, nice to meet you! Glad that you found me via The Sample. I wasn't sure what to expect from submitting my newsletter there. Figured if I got one sign-up that would be a success. So I have already succeeded! I just signed up for your Substack and look forward to following your journey.
Happy to make your acquaintance. To me the best part of Substack has been discovering other writers and discovering the random shared interests / life experiences - which is exactly what happened to me reading your bio.
Cheers! Looking forward to more of your words.