The hottest Personal Essay Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

My Hair, The Bird's Nest

The Unpublishable • 11163 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23

The author reflects on her relationship with her hair and her grandfather's influence on her self-image.
The narrative explores themes of beauty standards and societal pressures.
The story delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal identity.

Why am I so bad at replying to texts?

Embedded • 982 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24

🎭️ Culture Personal Essay

The author struggles with replying to texts annually as a failed resolution.
The burden of unanswered texts hangs over the author's everyday life.
The issue is not about the difficulty of the conversations, but the author's responsiveness.

Rodeo by Calvin Lee Martin

The Soup • 1218 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23

🎨 Art & Illustration Personal Essay

The author shares a special edition of her newsletter featuring her son's college essay.
The son's college essay is deeply personal and showcases his writing skills.
The author pays her son for allowing her to share his work in her newsletter.

On Being Cornered

The Real Sarah Miller • 668 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23

🎨 Art & Illustration Personal Essay

Being cornered can be uncomfortable and undesirable.
It's important to consider ways to avoid feeling trapped in situations.
Sometimes, interacting with people who are not very engaging can lead to feeling cornered.

Notes for an Essay on Buses

The Commonplace • 513 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24

🎭️ Culture Observation Personal Essay Memory Advertising

The process of creation can be as interesting as the final product, with notes and early drafts often more compelling than explanations by artists.
Observing people in everyday settings like bus stations can lead to intriguing insights and reflections on societal trends and human behavior.
Writing about familiar topics, like daily bus commutes, can unlock unexpected memories, moments, and connections that spark creativity and thoughtful contemplation.

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The Wit’s Guide to Jealousy

Get Wit Quick • 196 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Literature Art Quotes Newsletter Personal Essay

Jealousy is about fearing the loss of what you have, not just wanting what you don't.
Details fuel jealousy, as they sharpen the knives of envy.
Jealousy can make us amateur novelists, crafting stories about others' lives.

Miss America: a Love Letter.

Milk Trekker • 314 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23

🎭️ Culture Personal Essay

The author expresses love and concern for America in a heartfelt manner.
America is seen as having both great potential and deep-rooted issues that need addressing.
Encouragement is given for America to confront its past and seek healing for a better future.

Francophobia

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24

🎭️ Culture Language History Personal Essay

Learning a language through academia can come with unexpected challenges and pressures.
Self-consciousness about language proficiency can hinder one's ability to communicate comfortably.
Overcoming insecurities about speaking a language can lead to more fulfilling interactions.

Hemiphytophilia

Passing Time • 301 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24

📚 Literature Personal Essay

The writer defies the doctor's advice and keeps a plant in the room due to a strong affinity for plants.
The plant, a heartleaf philodendron, symbolizes a zest for life with its slow growth and eventual white flowers.
The writer contemplates switching to dark mode on the blog and shares a personal story intertwined with plant symbolism.

And In My Head I Do My Very Best Saying Goodbye

Babbling On • 196 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23

🎭️ Culture Personal Essay Film Music Fashion Celebrity

Experiencing change can offer new perspectives and help in moving past personal struggles.
Seeking beauty in surroundings and reconnecting with creative outlets can aid in healing and feeling like oneself again.
Cinematic moments and experiences can offer a form of escapism and reflection during times of emotional turmoil.

Until our luck runs out

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 469 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Personal Essay Immigration Diversity Reflection

July 4th is a day to reflect on good fortune and contributions in America.
America provided opportunities for education, expression, and career growth.
Immigrant experiences and diverse perspectives contribute significantly to American society.

Great Expectations, part one: Superior stock

Deprogram • 157 implied HN points • 24 May 23

🎭️ Culture Personal Essay Family Dynamics Psychological impact

The pressure to prove superiority of bloodline was significant in the author's childhood
The patriarchal mindset believes in rigid power hierarchy and meritocracy
Expectations and pressure to excel constantly were intrinsic in the author's upbringing

Reflections on my Dad Essay

Val's Pals • 137 implied HN points • 19 May 23

🎨 Art & Illustration Personal Essay

The post is about reflections on an essay about the author's dad.
The author is considering whether paid subscriptions for their content should exist.
Readers can sign up for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

I’m an Entitled College Student Lacking Self Awareness. Here’s an Essay About Something I Hate.

I'm Like You (but with a newsletter) • 58 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23

🎭️ Culture Travel Personal Essay

The author complained about their study abroad experience not meeting their high expectations.
The author felt lonely despite living with 7 other people in a cool European city.
The author displayed entitlement by expecting locals to cater to their American standards.

Shaky

Nice Try • 19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 20

📚 Literature Fiction Writing Storytelling Personal Essay Creative Nonfiction

Work life can feel uncertain and shaky at times, with jobs changing and less demand for certain workers.
People have unique ways to cope with stress, like finding humor in parenting or unexpected situations.
Learning new skills can be fulfilling, whether it's cooking or teaching, and it helps us grow beyond our previous experiences.