Between a Rock and a Card Place

Between a Rock and a Card Place explores the human condition through personal narratives, focusing on the author's journey of self-discovery, love, loss, and creativity. It delves into themes of identity, the writing process, societal expectations, and the intricacies of human emotions and relationships.

Personal Growth Writing and Creativity Grief and Loss Love and Relationships Identity and Self-Discovery Societal Expectations Seasonal Reflections

The hottest Substack posts of Between a Rock and a Card Place

And their main takeaways

I've Been Writing This Essay My Whole Life

14957 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
  1. The author's mother had high expectations but struggled to accept the author's chosen path.
  2. The author faced challenges to pursue writing, but eventually found the courage to embrace it.
  3. Writing became a way for the author to express themselves and honor their mother's legacy.

A Short Note From the Worst Week

9748 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
  1. The author shares a personal note about their mother's passing
  2. The author reflects on the impact their mother had on their life and writing
  3. The post is dedicated to paid subscribers

7 Things I (Almost) Learned Last Year

6702 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
  1. Embrace the challenges and downturns in life; they are normal and part of the journey.
  2. Acknowledge that everyone is going through something, and there is always more to a person's story.
  3. Life cannot be quantified by numbers; focus on the complexities, don't discount the middle, and embrace the possibilities.

"Do Not Share Things on the Internet"

5110 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. Once your words are out there, they no longer belong just to you.
  2. Writing for an audience means you can't predict how your words will impact them.
  3. Take risks with your writing, and don't be afraid to share it.

On Words, Time, and Being Mortal

3773 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
  1. The author reflects on rearranging their workspace and the passage of time in their life.
  2. Moving a desk took a whole day due to the number of books in the room.
  3. The author shares insights about their book collection and reading habits.
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Once Upon a Magic Candle

2614 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. The post is about a journey to buy and use a magical candle.
  2. The author describes the process of preparing and using the candle.
  3. The content of the post is only accessible to paid subscribers.

What do you believe?

1945 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
  1. Grief can be socially overwhelming, with people often asking how you are without expecting an honest answer.
  2. Questioning what you believe is as important as knowing the answer.
  3. Personal experiences like grief can bring surprising challenges, like the social aspects of dealing with it.

12 Things I Wish I'd Known

7586 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
  1. The author reflects on two years of writing the newsletter
  2. The newsletter started as a commitment without a clear plan
  3. Over 100 essays, dozens of interviews, and hundreds of card readings were shared

A Personal Note

5935 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
  1. The author had been struggling with whether to publish and what to say in their post.
  2. The author decided to share a personal note after experiencing the loss of their dog, Mia, who was their best friend for nearly 16 years.
  3. The post is only accessible to paid subscribers.

I Wore Horns to My Wedding

3813 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
  1. The author shares personal experiences like getting married and running a marathon.
  2. The author discusses the pressure to share authentic content on social media.
  3. The post gives a glimpse of the unconventional City Hall Halloween elopement.

Read It, Don't Weep

3675 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
  1. The post is about facing grief and surprisingly positive.
  2. The author addresses the reluctance to read about pet grief.
  3. The content is for paid subscribers.

Let Them Eat PieCaken

3439 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
  1. October is a favorite month for many due to its crunchy leaves and golden dusks.
  2. The author reflects on the changing seasons and the joy of living in a world with Octobers.
  3. Embracing new experiences and flavors, like piecaken, can make the season more special.

The Secret to Happiness

3439 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
  1. Happiness is not a secret, people try to sell it.
  2. Fear of the future can bring worry about making plans.
  3. Time moves forward, so the future is coming whether we're ready or not.

10 Things I've Learned About Love

4265 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
  1. The author has learned 10 things about love and admits they are bad at #9.
  2. In the past, the author wrote about dating and relationships for work, but now they rarely write about their own relationship.
  3. The post is only accessible to paid subscribers, showing a shift in the author's content focus.

You Are a Person, Not a Pickle

5287 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
  1. You are a person, not a pickle. Your identity doesn't depend on preservation.
  2. Mundanity and profundity often come together.
  3. Withhold judgment to give the world a chance to surprise you.

You Can't Win Them All

353 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Inspiration Tarot Writing Self-reflection
  1. Success is not always about winning or creating hits, but about the quality and impact of the work you do.
  2. Don't let pressure hinder your creativity; approach tasks with curiosity and a beginner's mindset.
  3. Embrace that not every project will be a success, as outcomes are often beyond your control, so focus on creating meaningful work instead.

Regrets Only

3498 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
  1. Wedding planning can attract unsolicited opinions from others and may lead to reflections on regrets.
  2. Contemplating unlived lives and alternate paths is a common human experience but may not necessarily improve our current reality.
  3. In life, there are many rules, but we can choose which ones to follow for ourselves.

Do You Like Me?

3459 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
  1. The article discusses the trap of seeking validation from others.
  2. The author shares a personal experience at a coffee shop.
  3. The post is only accessible to paid subscribers.

Moving to Napa

2 HN points • 30 Aug 23
  1. The author is moving to Napa.
  2. The post is about taking breaks and addressing health issues.
  3. To access the full post, subscription is required.