The hottest Personal Reflection Substack posts right now

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Anne Bradstreet: An American Rorschach Test

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry American Literature Feminism Historical Analysis Personal Reflection
  1. Anne Bradstreet, the first published American poet, challenges ideological assumptions through her work, requiring readers to reevaluate their preconceptions.
  2. Bradstreet's poems like 'The Author to Her Book' and 'Prologue' showcase her rhetorical mastery and ability to disarm while conveying powerful messages.
  3. In 'The Flesh and the Spirit,' Bradstreet explores internal conflicts and spiritual themes, providing a blend of personal introspection and theological exploration.

Is That What a Man Looks Like?

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 118 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Consumerism Personal Reflection
  1. The essence of Fight Club resonates with a rejection of consumerism and mainstream societal expectations, particularly targeting materialism and globalism.
  2. The movie's deeper meanings and interpretations vary widely, sparking discussions on masculinity, rebellion, and individual identity.
  3. Personal experiences often reflect the themes explored in Fight Club, highlighting the consequences of prioritizing material possessions and societal norms over genuine fulfillment and self-awareness.
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Getting bored and what I did!

Uneasy’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
📚 Literature Poetry Creative Writing Personal Reflection Emotional Expression Artistic Process
  1. Boredom can lead to creativity. When feeling bored, one might discover new ideas or art, like writing a poem.
  2. It's easy to get distracted by things like YouTube, which can make us feel unproductive. Recognizing this can help us refocus on our goals.
  3. Writing random thoughts as a way to cope with emotions can be valuable. It can provide a sense of release and help organize chaotic feelings.

A walkthrough of my diary

Austin Kleon • 539 implied HN points • 18 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Diary Creativity Personal Reflection
  1. Keeping a diary can help you capture your daily thoughts and creativity. It's a good way to reflect and see how your ideas develop over time.
  2. One person's diaries can take on a unique style, like adding drawings or creative layouts. This can make the process more fun and personal.
  3. Starting a diary might feel tricky at first, but tools like journals or prompts can help get you going. It's all about finding what works for you.

Paradise In A Rotted Apple

Square Circle • 7 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Personal Reflection Human experience
  1. Acknowing,,vTo,find,good,or,joy,within,improbity,compromition,ghto,thinging,itho,witht,witho,or,not,gniog,top,ith,ithRth,good,or,joy,within,improbity,compromition,ghto,thinging,itho,witho,or,not,gniog,top,ith,
  2. In,ong,ithith,or,or,not,hicthmmt,htIn,y,rong,ihgAin,ith,mbrrdon,y,or,or,not,hniog,for,or,momdointhmmt,cotgdoithmgtgyr,ithgIn,or,to,gdgI,or
  3. Cto,hond,oryb,orbthSnot,ydynIn,othndonyd,or,imOnong,tFor,or,gwith,

Dream Exploration: A Train Ride in Sydney

Kartick’s Blog • 17 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
📚 Literature Narrative structure Imagery Personal Reflection
  1. Dreams can reflect real-life events. In this case, the person had interactions before dreaming about going to Sydney.
  2. In the dream, there was a struggle with finding a friend and uncertainty about where to go. This shows how dreams can mix our feelings of confusion and urgency.
  3. The dream ended with a realization of being caught between waking and dreaming. This highlights how sometimes we're aware of dreaming but feel stuck in the experience.

The Crazy-Eyed Wild Ambitions Phase

DruGroup • 119 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Creative Process Personal Reflection
  1. In a mid-life crisis, someone tried working on a doctorate but lost passion early on. This taught them it’s okay to explore interests, even if they don’t pursue them long-term.
  2. They started writing a science-fiction novel and put a lot of effort into it, but eventually faced challenges and had to put the project on hold. It shows that creative endeavors can be complicated, and it’s normal to hit bumps along the way.
  3. The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and doesn't always bring clear answers. It's important to embrace change and reflect on personal growth, especially during challenging life phases.

Thoughts after midnight

Jyri And • 19 implied HN points • 09 May 24
📚 Literature Essays Writing Creativity Personal Reflection Narrative
  1. Sometimes, it's hard to start writing even when you have ideas. The pressure can make it feel overwhelming, like building a sand castle that falls apart.
  2. Waiting for inspiration to hit can lead to frustration. Relying on the subconscious might not always work, and it's okay to feel stuck sometimes.
  3. Expressing your feelings, even in a moment of doubt, can help clarify your thoughts. Writing down those feelings might just be a step toward finding a solution.

Are Power and Freedom Opposites?

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Political theory Metaphysics Personal Reflection
  1. Power and freedom can feel like opposite forces. Gaining power often comes with more responsibilities, which can limit personal freedom.
  2. Many people are drawn to power thinking it will give them more freedom, but once they have power, they may find themselves feeling trapped by it.
  3. Truly being free might mean understanding power, achieving it, and then being able to let it go or not being overly attached to it.

Four Seasons Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Seasons Nature Urban life Personal Reflection
  1. Seattle experiences all four seasons, but they might not be as extreme as in other places. Some people see Seattle's spring and fall as longer and less distinct.
  2. Each season brings its own unique beauty and activities. Winter has cozy feelings with snow, spring is colorful with blooming flowers, summer is for outdoor fun, and fall has lovely leaf colors.
  3. Sadly, there's also a fifth season of smoke caused by fires. This adds a new layer to how we experience the seasons in the area.

Notes from Retreat

As Ever • 7 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spiritual growth Artistic expression Personal Reflection Community Creative Process
  1. Spiritual exercises help us face our true selves. It's important to be honest about who we are and what we feel.
  2. Artists have a responsibility to share beauty that helps others. Creating art should be about serving people, not just seeking approval.
  3. Change can be scary because it means letting go of what we know. Trusting in a higher purpose can lead to surprising growth and deeper understanding.

A delightful mess

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 19 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Writing Personal Reflection Recipes
  1. The messiness of life, similar to the experience of peanut butter, can be a blend of chaos and delight.
  2. Good things leave a mark, and even though they may make a mess, they are worth savoring.
  3. The struggle to find meaning and make sense of chaos, like relating peanut butter to career and relationship experiences, can itself be an intriguing journey.

The problems with going viral

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 25 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Viral Content Literature Legacy Personal Reflection
  1. Going viral might not be worth the effort in terms of actual benefit, like gaining subscribers.
  2. Writing in a way to chase virality can be exhausting and may not align with personal writing style or goals.
  3. Focusing on writing that is engaging and enjoyable for oneself is more important than trying to create content just to go viral.

Pain and reflection

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Reflection Mental health Social Dynamics Emotional Expression
  1. The writer feels less motivated about work now compared to when they were focused and dedicated, realizing that lack of energy leads to mistakes. They recognize the importance of effort and commitment to being successful.
  2. Having a supportive friend made a big difference in their work experience. Quick approvals from this friend on code reviews boosted their confidence and helped them publish their work more easily.
  3. Planning ahead helped clarify tasks and improve productivity. When they took time to outline their goals, it became easier to manage the project and communicate its importance to others.

Miles to Go Before I Sleep

The Analog Family • 39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Outdoor activities Personal Reflection
  1. Cross-country skiing can make winter enjoyable again. It helps you reconnect with the beauty and fun of the season.
  2. Spending time outdoors in winter creates a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. After a good ski, you can enjoy cozy moments at home without guilt.
  3. Even with unpredictable weather, getting outside as much as possible can help you appreciate winter. It teaches kids to cherish the beauty and adventure that cold days bring.

Readers Respond

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 05 Aug 21
📚 Literature Writing History Naturalism Personal Reflection
  1. Reader responses can spark great conversations about natural and human history. It's fun to share thoughts and feelings, and everyone can learn from each other.
  2. People reminisce about their experiences related to places and events. Those personal stories help to connect the past with the present.
  3. Writing can feel lonely, but receiving feedback from readers makes it all worthwhile. It's nice to know that your work resonates with others.

Earthly Delight

Nice Try • 139 implied HN points • 23 Jan 21
📚 Literature Creative Writing Narrative Prose Personal Reflection
  1. Life can feel gray and mundane, but we can find moments of joy in small things. Whether it's a hot cup of coffee or a fun idea for a blog, these little pleasures brighten up our days.
  2. Many people deal with everyday frustrations that might not seem important, like a slow leaking tire. But these experiences can serve as interesting stories or metaphors for life's challenges.
  3. Connections with others, even through simple conversations, can spark creativity. Talking to friends or loved ones can help us figure out what to write about or how to find meaning in our lives.

I Am Not Going to Try and Sell a Painting

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 14 May 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Artistic expression Social Commentary Activism Personal Reflection
  1. Art is not for sale as a commodity; it should continue beyond the sale and be a process that the buyer engages in.
  2. Consider boycotting products that support causes you do not agree with, like Sabra hummus supporting Israeli military bosses.
  3. Engage in practical actions, like supporting political candidates aligned with your values, to address issues you are passionate about, such as challenging Apartheid.

news cycle

the rohn report • 19 implied HN points • 24 Dec 20
📰 News Opinion Society Current Events Personal Reflection
  1. The author emphasizes feeling disconnected from the constant news cycle and is uninterested in forming strong opinions due to the negative aspects observed in the world.
  2. Reflections on societal issues like exploitative economic practices, questionable governmental systems, and manipulation of voter opinions are highlighted, pointing towards a need for a significant change rather than minor adjustments.
  3. The piece concludes by focusing on the positive aspects of life, such as gratitude, happiness, and personal experiences, suggesting that these are more enriching and important than the chaotic news cycle.

On Writing Your Memoir Over Email

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 20
📚 Literature Creative Process Writing Techniques Narrative structure Personal Reflection
  1. Writing a memoir can be harder than expected, requiring craft and focus on narrative. It's not just about telling your story but understanding the characters and what you want the readers to take away.
  2. Getting advice from others in a writing community can help. Focusing on a central question can give your memoir direction instead of trying to cover everything in one book.
  3. Using emails as a writing approach can make the process easier. Treating your writing like letters to someone can help you express your feelings and find your narrative more naturally.

It's my birthday today. :)

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 20
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Community Social justice Personal Reflection
  1. It's a birthday celebration, and there's a reflection on the past month, which was mixed with both chaos and joy. Honoring a birthday can be a time to think about personal growth and community.
  2. Launching a book during tough times has been challenging. There's a recognition that promoting work can be hard when the world is focused on other urgent issues.
  3. Building a community feels like a big gift. Taking a break in July and August is a chance to recharge before continuing to support writers and share ideas in September.

Newsletters should be letters!

Austin Kleon • 0 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
📚 Literature Writing Communication Creativity Reading Personal Reflection
  1. Newsletters should feel personal and informal, like letters rather than formal reports. This makes them more engaging and relatable for readers.
  2. Consistency is key, so setting specific days to write helps maintain a routine. Regularly sharing updates creates an anticipation for your audience.
  3. Writing as if you are addressing a friend can improve your writing across the board. It makes the process more enjoyable and the content more authentic.