Pressing Pause

Navigating the Complexity of Storytelling and Social Presence

Dear Subscribers,

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for joining the Pulling Threads community. This experiment began with the intention to create a space for real-time self-discovery, fostering connections with those navigating similar life stages and sharing observations. Writing has been a cathartic process for me, and I aimed to channel that through community conversation, providing an outlet for the “out loud” type of processing I crave.

The initial posts were a joy to write, and hearing from each of you, whether dear old friends, new acquaintances, or unfamiliar faces, truly made the concept of community tangible. Your messages and encouragement made this journey exceptionally special.

However, as with any experiment, certain aspects did not unfold as expected. As I delved deeper into creating a presence on various platforms, I became increasingly affected by strong opinions that polarize our fragmented culture. The intensity reached a point where I had to take a break midway through one of my article series.

Reflecting on my personal and online interactions, I actively seek out a wide range of thoughts and opinions outside an echo chamber. However, I’ve realized that the impact of the views shrouded in negativity or an overwhelming volume of advice wrapped in positivity feeds my inner critic. The fear of triggering or being triggered hindered my willingness to share thoughts openly and is prompting an even more profound concern about social media's impacts on my children and our younger generation.

It’s time for a retreat from excessive use, and I also have found that self-promotion (for me, not necessarily others) rubs against my values. Don’t get me wrong, I still crave scrolling to hear about music concert lineups and following artists and designers that nurture my artistic side. But I need a break from the rhetoric and time to explore how to put up an effective boundary. Unraveling an online presence is proving more intricate than anticipated, navigating through platforms that make disengagement challenging. My experience with that could be a whole series of articles in itself!

Now, the question looms about Pulling Threads and the writing process. Writing is undeniably therapeutic, and I love the connection forged through this platform. However, a fundamental dilemma arises. In pursuing self-discovery, I acknowledge that my story is not mine alone; it intertwines with others. Relationships bring forth emotions, from joy to shame, anger to amusement. Writing about those emotions publically is complex.

My father wrote a memoir shortly before he died, centered around his life story from his earliest memory until just before he met my mom. The book riveted me, letting me hear his deep voice twang with Southern wit as I read his words. His stories are hilarious yet fraught with struggles and awakenings to the world around him. I begged him to write a second book that took place while I was alive, hoping to unlock and uncover some questions I had.

Sharing a moment of joy

And a moment of fun

He looked at me in response and firmly said, “You do not write about the living.” I finally understand what he meant. While I strive to find positivity in my writing topics, my father's wise words echo: "You do not write about the living." He chose to preserve memories of the past, leaving me to consider the implications of sharing stories involving those who are very much alive. While I can own my truth, parts of my story are not my story to share but rather those of ones I hold close and dear.

Thus, I've decided to pause Pulling Threads. As I unravel my social presence, the fate of the writing aspect remains under contemplation. Drafts and topics will reside in my journal, awaiting their moment.

I extend heartfelt thanks to each of you who supported Pulling Threads, both free and paid subscribers. I'm pausing the paid subscriptions as I cannot uphold my end of the bargain. Nevertheless, whether you subscribed for free or paid, I welcome the opportunity to continue our community and connection. If you find yourself in Boulder, please reach out. Coffee is on me as a token of appreciation for supporting Pulling Threads.

Thank you.