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So fun to wake up and see this Notes party in full swing!

I shared a Note about my late ADHD diagnosis—feel free to check it out here: https://substack.com/@musingsbymika/note/c-72643784

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This will be in a later post, but Mika, why not have it now:

"If our mother was anything, she was a great teacher. Didn’t she always tell us that after college she’d become a schoolteacher in northern Virginia – fighting what she called the “third battle of Manassas” – a reference to the two Civil War battles actually fought there. That experience might have led her to her decision to go to graduate school in physics and eventually joining the engineering department of the Glenn L. Martin plant that made seaplanes during the war. Mom, over the years, had developed very keen skills of observation.

“Look at the acrobats as they are coming out of the ring,” she instructed us. “See how they stop and pick the cinders out of their hands!” Indeed the smiling, lighter than air performers now grimaced in pain as they preened their hands. The sawdust was spread too thinly over an unpaved parking area and the “cinders” (actually small bits of rough gravel, so named for their resemblance to the coarse scoriae erupted by volcanoes) had found their way into the poor girls’ palms as they did their elegant handstands. They would painfully remove them. When the signal would come for their next act, the smiles would reappear on their faces. Then they would come out again to perform on the same wretched cinders.

Heroism! That was what mom wanted us to see. Here was one of mom’s greatest life-lessons. It is one I carry with me to this day. Mom taught us that day that we often miss the simple fact that those who seem to perform so effortlessly around us, may be smiling through pain we do not see. We need to be aware of those who may be “picking cinders” in our midst. There is heroism all around us, if we will but look for it."

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author

“Picking cinders” - wow, a beautiful lesson. Thank you so so much for showing that Bob. 🙏🏻

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So glad you liked it!

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

Note topic: active rest when your body is exhausted.

Link: https://substack.com/@jillianbybee/note/c-72698890

I have definitely seen a decrease in engagement in notes recently.

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This really resonated with me. It’s something I’ve done for a long time, but no one has ever put it into words ✨

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I’m glad it found its way to you! And thanks for sharing it.

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I liked your post, commented, and restacked it, Jillian. ✨️

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thanks for sharing Robin!

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I love this one Jillian!

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Thanks Kate!

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ohhh never thought of rest as "active"

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There is a book that explores the “7 types of rest” called Sacred Rest by Dr Sandra Daulton-Smith. In it, she describes physical rest as either active or passive. The concept has been really helpful for me to differentiate which type of rest I actually need.

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ohh I’ll have to check out that book!

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Exactly! 🙏🏼

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founding

I really needed this reminder. Thank you!

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It makes sense, Jillian. The movement of walking helps regulate our bodies in certain ways.

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This note is about networking for shy people and how connecting others can help you expand your own network. [I really appreciate the space that Claire and Mika are providing here]

https://substack.com/@lizadebevec/note/c-72703750

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author

How timely! I’ve saved your post to read later.

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you Claire, I appreciate your comment and this opportunity to engage with other writers on Substack. I would be curious if you had any feedback on my post.

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I am going to save your post to come back and read when I can gift it my full attention this evening, Liza - thanks so much. Pertinent timing for me!!

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founding
Oct 16Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This is such a great one! I'm loving the conversation in the comments for this one.

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

After a scroll, I realized that I resonate with Notes that are short and sweet and contain calming, soothing photos. I also found that comparison bug peaking its head in. 🫣 I need to create some systems for myself to avoid that.

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author

Right!! Katie this is literally 80% of us I’m sure. There are some people I can be supportive of from afar but I absolutely cannot have in my feed. You can curate your feed to be 99% easeful and your experience to be purposeful. ✨

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

I did a really good job of this on Instagram! But, I admit that I’m having a hard time doing it here. I don’t understand yet how things are fed to us on Substack. Most often, I see content from people I don’t follow, and I need to learn how to curate my feed so that I’m only seeing what I consent to see.

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author

The key is in hitting that follow button and sometimes the mute one. It’s powered by robots so it will soon learn.

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Oct 15·edited Oct 15Liked by Mika

Ah, I probably need to use that mute button more often! Thank you!

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

So relatable! It's easy to compare ourselves to others. But I keep reminding myself that my journey is my journey, not anyone else's. Sometimes, the comparison is motivating for me. Other times, as Claire said, I have to intentionally remove things from my feed so I'm not distracted or negatively impacted.

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Oct 15·edited Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

My note is about having a break. I mean a real break. No wife, no children, no technology. Just me, a tiny cabin and a forest in the middle of nowhere.

https://substack.com/@fernandopinho/note/c-72668594

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

In 14 years, I have spent 4 nights away from my 4 kids. And only one of them was for myself, and less than 24 hours.

Purely because of my circumstances. Now I can’t imagine spending the night away from them.

I think neither are healthy.

However, I have learnt to squeeze things into my day, like an hour outside in nature, whether it’s rain, sun or snow, my rescue pup (who rescued me as much as I him) gets me out there.

I love my life. But that hour is my sanity. I’m looking forward to listening to your audio on my walk tomorrow.

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I replied on the note, but here too in hopes someone might share my view!- It occurs to me that I watch way too many gritty films / TV shows - the thought of this is somewhat horrifying! I can see that it should be charming and perfectly relaxing though. I think I need to stop watching Grotesquerie! 😂

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😂 I totally get it! In fact, I talk about it on the podcast version and in teaser I posted in a recent note. If you are scared of being alone, that isn’t the place for you. But nothing that the presence of a friend wouldn’t fix

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Oh my goodness what a familiar and important topic. In my work as an energy healer, we look at “patterns“, karmic imprints that fuel our life choices. My deepest pattern has to do with over-giving, and a lack of attention to my own needs - very common in women and mothers, but certainly also found in men. This week I am going to view a cabin, not just for a visit, but to consider making it my new home. Sometimes the quiet and the space is needed long-term. Not just a break, but a new way of life.

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founding

The Tiny Cabin Prescription would be an excellent book title. And I would 1000% read that book immediately. Just saying...

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Ahah suggestion taken :)

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founding

Excellent! (Picture Mr. Burns rubbing his hands)

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Ahahahaha I won’t forget you

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Sounds like THE dream!

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It did feel like a dream. I want to go back so badly

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Sounds delicious....

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deletedOct 15
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Absolutely! I went there quite reticently, and now I only want to go back. I truly disconnected for the first time since I became a grown-up.

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I restacked and commented - totally love a tiny house retreat.

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Thank you so much, Hannah! Honestly, If I could, I would buy it just for me :)

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

It could be your Writer's Room!

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When you come to England book yourself in for a writing retreat in my caravan on the Kent coast!

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Reminder: Substack is getting crowder but the world still needs your story https://substack.com/@tugbaavci/note/c-72562407

Another note to self from yesterday: I wrote this when I doubted whether the podcast I'm working on with my friend is really needed in this world.

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author

This is really beautiful - as attention span is often limited on Notes, I wondered about dropping us straight in with this line to start - picture the world as a symphony filled with melodies and rhythms… and reworking is slightly... what do you think?

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

This was my thought when I wrote it, Claire. I couldn't decide whether to open with a question or go straight into my analogy. Thank you for your input 🖤

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author

You can try edit it now and see what happened… it’s still live… imagine writing to the person who really needs this message but feels they haven’t got time to read it - what do they need to see?

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I think we all need reminding of this one every now and then, you put it so beautifully in a way that isn’t easily ignored. Thank you.

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

beautiful! Yes our stories and voices are so important

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

I jumped into the Art & Illustration tab and realized I need to do THAT every. single. day. The visual break is really lovely.

I liked this post in particular …

https://substack.com/@helencstark/note/c-72100529?r=4i32v&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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author

How beautiful a thing - I LOVE that it's first! I also like the self care space.

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

This is a good strategy to choose a topic that will fill me up not drain me! Going to go explore that approach now! Thanks for the idea. 😊

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author

It's really worth spending time in step two - I've been doing this for a few weeks now and it's completely changed my experience.

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Oct 17Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I love this so much. Thank you for sharing this. What a beautiful and intentional way to engage with Substack. I'm definitely borrowing this 😁🙌🏻🙏🏻

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

love this! I absolutly love helens posts and for me the bonus is she is a distant friend too so it means a lot to support a real friend as well as a virtual one haha

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founding

Oooh- such a great idea. I'm going to follow that suggestion as well.

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Well, hello excellent timing! I just posted this Note https://substack.com/@sarahfrison/note/c-72699802 announcing my mini Fall-themed book is almost done! It's nearly, nearly there but just needs a few bits doing before it's fully done so I figured perfect time to announce it's coming very soon, especially since I started talking about it in August! In 1-2 words, 'announcement with photo'🤔🥳

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Sarah, I love this note and the feedback I want to share it that I'd love just a bit more intro to you as the writer and perhaps in the mix of shots you've shared a photo of you in the kitchen?

It reads like a building awareness post. You could also think about leading with more of the 'crowd pleasing' recipes eg - EVERYONE loves a waffle! It looks a mix of technical and fun bakes? It's definitely made me curious.

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Oct 17Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you, Claire! Glad you picked up on the mix of bakes, I always try and add things for different confidence levels🙂. I have done more ‘about me’ notes I think but I guess I approach it like a facebook post, sure not everyone sees every post but each post still follows on the previous one. The order, yeah, I just went with the order things are listed in the book but will feature the waffles more heavily in the promo posts. I’ve got no photos of me in the kitchen at the moment so photo-wise it is what it is🙂.

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

Gosh this sounds exciting! Congratulations on the book, whatever size it is, I think it’s a great accomplishment.

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Thank you Lors!

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

EDUCATION

My note is about what real teaching looks like by taking opportunities as they appear in life and using them as teaching moments for kids.

https://substack.com/profile/21803558-shari-keller/note/c-72707299

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When I was an early childhood teacher, these were my favourite ways to "teach". I loved running with the child's curiosities or interests. It didn't feel forced but felt really expansive and learning went deeper and longer because of it. 😊

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Shari, I’m a former teacher, and I so enjoyed this Note. Such a great example of student-led learning. Excellent.

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Such teaching methods should be used way more often!

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Oh so so true!

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Hi Shari, I really appreciated the reminder to remain open and follow the curiosities of the little ones in my care, thank you!

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founding

I’m so glad my note was useful!

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

Hi everyone, and thank you so much Claire and Mika for creating this space! I am really excited to share this note about my new publication/community, CollabStack. I decided to create a space where we could all connect to find other creators to potentially collaborate with (think guest posting, interviews/podcast guests, special creative projects, etc). The more spaces like these (and Sparkle on Substack) that there are here, the easier it is for all of us to find our people! https://substack.com/@themysticalfarrey/note/c-72700741.

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author

Yay!! I’m so excited about this - I have it saved to read.

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Oct 15Liked by Mika, Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I’m excited to see where it goes!! I’m going to put out a call on Notes later this week asking people who have done collaborations before to share their best tips for creating one that works. Perhaps you could share a tip and I can quote you in the article?!

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author

Yes lovely of course! Tag me?

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Yes! Will do!

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

My post topic is AUTONOMY.

It's a prompt for readers to consider how to push back on the many influences trying to control our lives.

https://substack.com/@drkatieblake/note/c-72716883

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author

I loved your note! I've been working on a post about giving yourself the permission to pivot and releasing the shoulds - and this goes along with it perfectly.

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Great post Katie!

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Thank you so much, Kate! :)

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

My note is revisiting a post from earlier this year which focussed on indoors/outdoors, and how my reconnection with the latter has so positively impacted my mental health: https://substack.com/@alifemorecreative/note/c-72670617?r=2y49o&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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author

It's a great reminder to make room for nature in our lives. Thanks, David!

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

This one is from the last couple

of days… the one I sent today was linked to a post, so this feels like a better fit. It’s about the aurora and how magic is around us all the time:

https://substack.com/@carodonahue/note/c-72365970?r=m4847&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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author

I love when nature shares a life lesson with us! 🥰

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founding

I do, too!

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Oct 18Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This is so beautiful and true!

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Such beautiful photos! And a timely nudge to slow down, thank you

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founding

Thank you so much. I needed that nudge as well, so perhaps we can remind each other?

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Perfect timing! I just began an experiment in Notes, The Daily Omen. https://substack.com/@bronwynsimons/note/c-72779858

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author

Have fun with your experiment! I think it's a lovely way to remind people to see and uncover the beautiful moments each day.

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Thank you Mika! And for the opportunity to share!

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Oct 16Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

Hi Claire and Mika, thank you for this opportunity!

Mindset, getting is the Right Mindset for You (me/ anyone who is thinking about it) is something I write about.

This is a note I want to share:

https://substack.com/@riseandshinewithsa/note/c-72777877

I feel there is so much we can change for ourselves, get better in so many ways only if we start re thinking of what we think/believe currently about ourselves, our lives.

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author

I love how your Note is inline with Claire's focus on mindset!

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Thank you Mika!

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Yeah, my thoughts exactly, Saima.

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Thank you Raveen!

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Oct 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨, Mika

Happy Pub Day! It’s the fifth book for this 86-year-old author and she’s not done yet.

https://substack.com/@debsinness/note/c-72738854?r=9ofzn&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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author

How lovely that you chose to highlight someone else in your Notes. She's definitely an inspiration!

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She definitely is, on so many levels!

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