The hottest Personal Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Travel Topics

Happy New Year!

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 10 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. A warm Happy New Year message that wishes readers a wonderful year.
  2. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supports the Cosmopolitan Globalist and helped make it possible.
  3. A personal detail about going to bed early with a good book, plus an offer to continue the post for free or to purchase a paid subscription.

And then there was one

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🏝 Travel Personal
  1. Saying goodbye to family can be really hard, especially after spending a lot of time together. It's okay to feel sad but also thankful for the experiences shared.
  2. Running can be seen as easy since you only need shoes, but many people don't have access to proper footwear. This can make it hard for those in some communities to participate.
  3. Small acts can make a big difference. A charity started from a simple idea of giving away shoes is helping many people, showing how one person's actions can inspire others.

2025 Update - Part 3

Devansh’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Being a solo founder brought long workdays and bouts of restlessness and despair, even as hiring, talks, and recruiting cohorts showed steady progress.
  2. Seasonal social life and small wins—Diwali gatherings, a lucky night playing cards, and events like a golf tournament—lifted mood and rekindled hope for connection.
  3. Environment and movement mattered: the monsoon and outdoor activities calmed him, while Delhi’s poor air pushed him to travel to Goa, where the ocean and time away felt restorative.

July 21, 2025 (Monday)

Letters from an American • 51 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Personal
  1. Taking breaks is important for mental health. Stepping away from daily stresses can help refresh your mind.
  2. Nature can provide a great escape from routine. Enjoying the outdoors can lift your spirits and offer new perspectives.
  3. Capturing moments through photos can help share experiences. It allows others to enjoy the beauty and peace you find in nature.

Story Seven

Stories From The Rail • 499 implied HN points • 17 Dec 21
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Minneapolis is a lovely city even when not in chaos, but visiting for court brought unexpected experiences.
  2. Left-handed people face challenges in a right-handed world, emphasizing adaptations in everyday tasks.
  3. Unexpected encounters during travel, like conversations and assistance at the airport, can offer unique and memorable moments.
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Ideas I Keep Coming Back To

Creative Destruction • 11 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
📚 Literature Personal
  1. Reflecting on life's moments can bring joy and perspective. It's nice to share and revisit things that matter to us.
  2. Writing can help explore complex ideas, like how we view the world or cope with emotions. It can provide deeper understanding.
  3. Feedback from others is valuable. It helps improve our thoughts and writing, making it more meaningful for everyone.

Blue Skies

Nice Try • 19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
📚 Literature Personal
  1. Looking up at the sky can remind us to appreciate the simple things in life. It's a healthy practice to slow down and notice what's around us.
  2. Taking time to breathe and reflect can bring peace and clarity. We often forget to pause and enjoy the moment amidst our busy lives.
  3. Setting small, personal goals, like looking at clouds more often, can lead to greater happiness. It's about finding joy in our everyday experiences.

A Letter to You

Tessa Fights Robots • 31 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Connecting with readers feels like building a family. It’s great to hear from people over the years and feel that sense of community.
  2. Honest conversations matter more than just sharing opinions. We should talk to each other like real people, not just repeat talking points.
  3. Supporting one another and having sincere exchanges can deepen relationships. It's important to create a space for real discussions.

What's Cheering Me Up Lately

Green Graphic Design • 39 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Personal
  1. Author shares what's bringing joy in their life recently, inspired by a YouTuber.
  2. Appreciation for David Bird's 'Becorn' art and partner's creative fiction project.
  3. Discovery of the game 'Little Mouse's Encyclopedia' and starting a new personal project about nature journaling.

Diary #18

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Personal
  1. The author reflects on the nature of friendships in different environments like an office and social media.
  2. Isolation during the pandemic may have intensified the author's social ineptitude.
  3. The text conveys a sense of introspection and loneliness, with the author contemplating on thoughts and interactions.

Good News and Bad News

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. The author is working on a difficult piece that has been in progress for years and feels a lot of pressure to finish it. The urgency comes from wanting to provide the detail it truly needs.
  2. Childcare challenges have made it harder for the author to keep up with tasks, including responding to others' messages.
  3. The post is shared with paid subscribers, highlighting a sense of exclusivity and possibly in-depth discussion of the author's experiences.

Purples

Nice Try • 199 implied HN points • 26 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Life is full of distractions, but they can be welcome ones. Whether it's cleaning or spending time with family, these activities help us cope.
  2. Ordering groceries online can lead to unexpected surprises, like receiving way too many cans of tuna. It's funny how mistakes can turn into unique challenges.
  3. Creative projects, like painting a room or using a synthesizer, can become overwhelming and messy. It's important to keep things simple and not lose track of what you intended to do.

What I Learned Last Week

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 14 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Uncle Tom had a tough life during and after the war, but he found joy in crafting and building things for his family.
  2. The decline of rugby in Australia has left a feeling of sadness and disappointment, but there is still excitement for the smaller events like the parkrun.
  3. The launch of a photography business by a family member is a source of pride and encouragement, highlighting creative talent in the family.

expectations

Poems, Short stories and other things.. • 14 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
📚 Literature Personal
  1. It's important to set your own expectations for yourself but not to impose expectations on others. This can help avoid conflicts in personal relationships.
  2. Adults should be allowed to make their own choices, and interfering can lead to resentment and push them away.
  3. Many expectations come from societal norms or upbringing, and it's helpful to reflect on which ones really matter and what happens if they're not met.

The small things

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 42 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Small moments in life can really shape our mood and creativity. It's important to notice and appreciate these little things.
  2. Private experiences often influence what we feel inspired to write about. Writing can be deeply personal and connected to our feelings.
  3. Taking the time to reflect on our daily experiences can help us understand ourselves better. This can lead to richer and more meaningful writing.

no. 55: color block concrete

let them eat cake • 79 implied HN points • 01 Jun 22
🏝 Travel Personal
  1. The author experiences a complex mix of emotions when returning home to Singapore, feeling a blend of homesickness and discomfort.
  2. The newsletter explores the author's culinary adventures in Singapore, particularly enjoying visits to hawker centers.
  3. The author reflects on their journey to separate feelings of homesickness from feelings of discomfort in their home country.

January 2023 Update

Mind & Mythos • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
📚 Literature Personal
  1. The author started their writing project in 2022 and is pleased with the work done so far.
  2. They want to improve their productivity in 2023 by sharing monthly updates to stay accountable.
  3. The updates will be posted on the first Friday of each month to track progress and keep engaged with readers.

Why I didn't wear a tie

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 6 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Wearing a tie at family events was a tradition, but sometimes it's okay to break from tradition. This year, one person chose not to wear a tie to feel more at ease with everyone else.
  2. A health scare in the family made the decision to skip the tie even more meaningful. It was a reminder of life's unpredictability and the importance of being present.
  3. For special occasions like memorials, respecting the moment can mean changing how we dress. Sometimes, a casual look reflects our true feelings better than formal attire.

100 things that made my year

Austin Kleon • 119 implied HN points • 01 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. Reflecting on the past year can help you appreciate the good moments. Making a list of 100 things that made your year can be a fun and rewarding exercise.
  2. Sharing recommendations like great books or music can inspire others. It’s a nice way to connect and spread positivity.
  3. A new year is a fresh start for many people. Setting resolutions or challenges can motivate you to achieve new goals.

Big mood

Austin Kleon • 79 implied HN points • 26 Mar 21
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. It's normal to feel mixed emotions, like love and loathing, especially during tough times.
  2. Reading music books can be a comforting way to reset your mood when you're feeling low.
  3. Putting your work out into the world takes bravery, and it's important to understand the risks involved.

Why I didn't wear a tie

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
📚 Literature Personal
  1. The author decided not to wear a tie this year at a family New Year party, breaking a long-standing tradition.
  2. This decision was influenced by a family member's recent serious health scare, which made the author want to feel less formal and more connected.
  3. The story highlights how personal and emotional events can change our perspectives and choices about traditions.

Hello, World

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. The author wants to write about a variety of topics, especially tech and culture from the US and France. They feel current social media formats are not appealing.
  2. They aim to share thoughts through their writing, believing it helps in understanding them better, even if there isn't a big audience.
  3. The author plans to publish once a week, allowing themselves time to think about each post thoughtfully.

January 7, 2024

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Personal
  1. Heather Cox Richardson is taking a night off to catch up on sleep after a vacation
  2. Her partner takes photos of places while she rests, bringing back coffee and pastries
  3. She appreciates the alternative experience of seeing places through his photos

The bursting of a little dam

Devansh’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
📚 Literature Personal
  1. Writing without filters is freeing and can help express feelings. It's easy to get caught up in structured work, but sometimes you just need to let creativity flow.
  2. Physical activity like working out or playing golf can bring a sense of accomplishment and balance to life outside of work. It's important to explore interests that make you feel good.
  3. There's a desire to share personal insights through a book, but fear and impatience can hold you back. Writing can be a way to leave a lasting impact, so focusing on it might be the right move.

Writing in a Chaotic New Year

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 21
📚 Literature Personal
  1. Finding a quiet place to write can help reduce distractions, especially when working from home. A change of scenery may spark new ideas and help break bad habits.
  2. It's important to recognize the privilege that comes with traveling, especially during challenging times. Traveling responsibly while following safety protocols is key.
  3. Inviting friends to join you in a writing retreat can be beneficial. Collaborating with others can provide support and motivation to get work done.

On a break...

QUALITY BOSS • 0 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. The creator is taking a short break due to a family emergency. It's important to prioritize family in tough times.
  2. They appreciate the support and understanding from their audience. It's nice to know that people care during difficult moments.
  3. The creator plans to return soon. Taking breaks can help recharge and come back stronger.

Tin Sáng

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 13
🎭️ Culture Personal
  1. There were issues with hosting payment causing disruption to Tin Sáng, expected to be resolved by mid next week.
  2. No interference in TetCon 2014 organization mentioned, despite past restrictions in TetCon 2012.
  3. Personal commitments may lead to TetCon being postponed to spring/summer 2014, with tentative months set for March or June.