I stumbled across this in my inbox—Substack thought I might be interested and, yes, indeed I was. I’m even going to buy your book. And I’m probably old enough to be your grandmother :)
I am an extraverted introvert which confuses people no end. I can gabble away quite happily with people and then spend my time at home alone dissecting everything I said and wondering what kind of an idiot they thought I was :) Am looking forward to what Jess says about her experiences :)
I've been wondering about this kind of thing. I've always assumed I'm an introvert, love being alone, and loud busy places make me anxious... but I also really like starting up conversations with strangers, and being on stage gives me a rush. I've been taking improv classes and my group had our student showcase last night and I'm still riding that high!
My husband and I were talking about it this morning and I think my anxiety comes from not knowing how to get started in a new social situation. What could I possibly say or ask that would get the other person engaged enough to want to talk to me? I've heard this switching between the two called being ambivert, but it also kinda just seems like being a regular human.
Improv classes, how fun! I did a few of those back in my 20s but I got too self conscious about it. Everyone was so supportive but, and this sounds strange, I hated going out at night. That’s why I gave up so many things, I retreat to my cave.
I feel like I entered a whole new world. So much fun.
I can relate to your angst as Margaret Atwood once came into my place of work and we were told not to look at her and not to engage. The whole room was humming with anticipation and anxiety. She turned out to be quite up front, blunt, and opinionated, which I liked. I look forward to more bookshop tales!
I love this Jess. That point you realise you are not the youngest anymore, but enjoy the new role of sharing all your wisdom and worrying if someone is wearing a coat. It sounds like a perfect place to hang out.
Jess, I’ve just discovered your newsletter and what can I say - it took only two pieces and I’m already a big fan. Such delightful writing, it feels so joyful and cozy. I have such a good time reading!
I just found via someone posting about you here on substack & I am utterly enchanted! Can I tell you that I met my husband when I was 16, had a baby at 20 & married him at 21. Come November we have been married for 23 years. I often think if the other lives I could have lived had I not not met him made the choices we did. But he’s my person.
Darling article! Love your easy writing style. Take it from me, a 49 year old never married professional, finding love at 24 and marrying at 27 is literally the best thing that could happen to you. 💖💖💖.
Oh gosh, this is so similar to us at our bookstore. My co-manager and I are in our 30s and the part-timers are all early 20s. We get on so well but then something will remind me that they were in primary school when I started uni. One of them joked yesterday that I am mother 😅
Truly, makes me want to go back to the world of work and be the 'old fella' and have some young friends and feel totally out of touch with the modern world!!
I love this! I met my husband when I was 20; we married when I was 23. I had babies at 27 and 33! I had a minute in my late 30s/early 40s when I was sad to have missed out on my 20s. But now, at 48, I realize that I am free! There’s no perfect time to do all of this life stuff. It was odd to meet an man in his late 30s who had yet to marry or become a father--I have no idea what that life would be like.
I think this letter just made me fall in love with Substack. Can’t even say how relatable this all is. I have to say though I completely agreed with the “get that part of my life done with and get on with the work” mentality. My husband is the only guy I ever dated seriously and we got married only months after we first met (got engaged, informally, after less than a week). We often feel it’d be so great if we had met sooner!!! since we were both quite miserable before meeting each other. But anyway! Would LOVE to visit your bookshop!!!
I loved this! My beautiful, shiny, 24 year old daughter is in the mess and fun of her 20’s and I enjoy watching and worrying about her and her friends while they “adult.” The drama! You captured it perfectly here. ❤️
I stumbled across this in my inbox—Substack thought I might be interested and, yes, indeed I was. I’m even going to buy your book. And I’m probably old enough to be your grandmother :)
I just put my order in at the shop down the street from me. I can't wait!
I am an extraverted introvert which confuses people no end. I can gabble away quite happily with people and then spend my time at home alone dissecting everything I said and wondering what kind of an idiot they thought I was :) Am looking forward to what Jess says about her experiences :)
I've been wondering about this kind of thing. I've always assumed I'm an introvert, love being alone, and loud busy places make me anxious... but I also really like starting up conversations with strangers, and being on stage gives me a rush. I've been taking improv classes and my group had our student showcase last night and I'm still riding that high!
My husband and I were talking about it this morning and I think my anxiety comes from not knowing how to get started in a new social situation. What could I possibly say or ask that would get the other person engaged enough to want to talk to me? I've heard this switching between the two called being ambivert, but it also kinda just seems like being a regular human.
Improv classes, how fun! I did a few of those back in my 20s but I got too self conscious about it. Everyone was so supportive but, and this sounds strange, I hated going out at night. That’s why I gave up so many things, I retreat to my cave.
I feel like I entered a whole new world. So much fun.
I can relate to your angst as Margaret Atwood once came into my place of work and we were told not to look at her and not to engage. The whole room was humming with anticipation and anxiety. She turned out to be quite up front, blunt, and opinionated, which I liked. I look forward to more bookshop tales!
I love this Jess. That point you realise you are not the youngest anymore, but enjoy the new role of sharing all your wisdom and worrying if someone is wearing a coat. It sounds like a perfect place to hang out.
coats!!! yes, the coats!!!
Jess, I’ve just discovered your newsletter and what can I say - it took only two pieces and I’m already a big fan. Such delightful writing, it feels so joyful and cozy. I have such a good time reading!
Awww! That’s so kind!!! ♥️♥️
I just found via someone posting about you here on substack & I am utterly enchanted! Can I tell you that I met my husband when I was 16, had a baby at 20 & married him at 21. Come November we have been married for 23 years. I often think if the other lives I could have lived had I not not met him made the choices we did. But he’s my person.
I love every bit of this post but “I assumed the answer would be no because it premiered a year before Cara was even born” caused my physical pain.
a stake through the heart
I loved this post. I'm off to buy your book (from local indie on Monday). I'm old enough to be everyone's grandmother, but this so resonates with me!
Thank you so much, June. xoxoxo
I simply adore your writing and am now off to order your book!
Get it from your local indie bookshop if you can!!
I’m on my way! I’ll be checking to see if they have cinnamon candles too!
if they don't have it in, they can order it for you!! Hope they have the candles!! xx
My local shop had to order, I'm on pins and needles! :)
Me too 😉
Love this. I can visualize your bookshop, co workers, even the stale pastries. BTW I’m old enough to be your mother. Hehehe.
That makes you Emily Gilmore!!
Exactly.
Darling article! Love your easy writing style. Take it from me, a 49 year old never married professional, finding love at 24 and marrying at 27 is literally the best thing that could happen to you. 💖💖💖.
Oh gosh, this is so similar to us at our bookstore. My co-manager and I are in our 30s and the part-timers are all early 20s. We get on so well but then something will remind me that they were in primary school when I started uni. One of them joked yesterday that I am mother 😅
This was wonderful on so many levels!
An introvert’s dream to work in a bookshop. I can smell the books!
Transitioning from young adult to the “mother” of young adults.
Plus, it was damn funny! Now, I will have to read your book!
This is glorious ... love it!
oh, thank you!!!
Truly, makes me want to go back to the world of work and be the 'old fella' and have some young friends and feel totally out of touch with the modern world!!
I love this! I met my husband when I was 20; we married when I was 23. I had babies at 27 and 33! I had a minute in my late 30s/early 40s when I was sad to have missed out on my 20s. But now, at 48, I realize that I am free! There’s no perfect time to do all of this life stuff. It was odd to meet an man in his late 30s who had yet to marry or become a father--I have no idea what that life would be like.
I think this letter just made me fall in love with Substack. Can’t even say how relatable this all is. I have to say though I completely agreed with the “get that part of my life done with and get on with the work” mentality. My husband is the only guy I ever dated seriously and we got married only months after we first met (got engaged, informally, after less than a week). We often feel it’d be so great if we had met sooner!!! since we were both quite miserable before meeting each other. But anyway! Would LOVE to visit your bookshop!!!
aw, thank you so much for the kinds words!!!!
I loved this! My beautiful, shiny, 24 year old daughter is in the mess and fun of her 20’s and I enjoy watching and worrying about her and her friends while they “adult.” The drama! You captured it perfectly here. ❤️