A Love Letter to Substack
For being my platform of reinvention. Plus, 10 newsletters worth reading and restacking.
I’ve declined more Sunday brunch invitations than I can count — all because of my Substack.
As someone who advocates for carving out more leisure time, you’d think I’d guard the most precious day of the week.
But surprisingly the weekend writing of my newsletter has become a ritual that I look forward to doing. Even if it takes hours to produce, which it does. Or, occasionally if it goes out late, like it is now.
This newsletter means something to me. It has brought me clients, friendships, speaking invitations and brand deals. Writing it has sharpened my focus on women’s health.
But most surprisingly, it has helped me shape a new identity in my 50s. One that I showcased on this platform way before I was ready.
Even though some will eye-roll and say, “oh God, everyone has a Substack now.” I’m still genuinely excited when someone shares they are starting one.
Because I’ve found the experience a valuable exercise in getting comfortable with “being seen,” and possibly judged (or even praised) for what you have to say.
Even the friction that comes with developing an original thesis or contrarian stance feels good. And creating to get the dopamine hit is way better than scrolling for it.
I’m grateful that Substack is still a place to find curation, critical thinking and community. Some of my favorite newsletters are linked below.
Thank you for being here to witness the reinvention.
I appreciate all of you.
xCelia
UPDATE: Many of my future newsletters will remain open for everyone but I’ll be sharing deeper health intelligence and wellness strategies below the paywall. Some of my guides, frameworks and special offers are now on my new Perks page with more to come!
10 Substacks Worth Reading
There are some fascinating personalities, experts and curators on Substack. I subscribe to over 70 of them, including some big bestseller names. Instead I thought I’d share a few that are a bit lesser known but deserve your attention. They are all super passionate about their subject matter so read, learn and enjoy!
1/ Office From The Surface (Beauty + Wellness)
A veteran editor Jamie Rosen has earned her discernment from years in the beauty and wellness industry. Her newsletter shares product and treatment recommendations as well as some sharp commentary on trends and aesthetics. Her behind-the-scenes with founders, formulators and doctors feels like you have an expert on speed dial.
Read: Vol 80 - The Dental Edit + Mouth Mapping
2/ Trippin’ (Travel + Lifestyle)
Zoe Schaeffer is another former beauty and wellness writer who now satisfies her wanderlust through curating exquisite trips around the globe. I’ve asked her to pack me in her suitcase many times. I’ll have to settle for dreaming while reading her insider travel discoveries, the kind only your chicest, coolest friend would know about.
Read: Everything I ate, shopped and saw in Paris
3/ Dangerously Educated (AI)
It makes me very happy to see women charging forward in the AI space. They are consistently the educational leaders showing us how to use tools to improve our work and personal lives. Tayla Burrell’s newsletter is informative without being overly technical and her insights are easy to put into motion.
Read: 13 actually useful things you can do with Claude Cowork this weekend
4/ Dr Jordan Emont (Women’s Health)
Dr Jordan Emont is a male OBGYN who writes about menopause with more respect and empathy for his female patients that most of his field. He’s incredibly educated, articulate and approachable, which is helpful when he’s unpacking challenging topics like HRT after cancer or cholesterol guidelines. An important resource.
Read: 95% of Postmenopausal Women are Missing the Safest Prescription in Medicine
5/ Money Changes Everything (Personal Finance)
We work hard to make money, spend it emotionally and have anxiety about not having enough. I love how financial planner AJ Ayers breaks down the complexity of money while acknowledging the shame that can come with it. If you’re ready to change your money story and build wealth, this is the newsletter for you.
Read: I’ve Seen Worse. Your Money Fears are Not Special
💡Did you know Substack lets you pause a paid subscription for a few months instead of canceling it? It lets you take a break if you’re away, rotate your budget to support another creator or access different types of content when you need it.
6/ How to Go Freelance (Business)
Given the state of today’s job market and all of the midlife pivots I’m seeing, everyone can benefit from reading Grace Abbott’s newsletter about freelancing. Her posts are actionable and encouraging so you can confidently take the jump from corporate to build resilience as well as revenue.
7/ Lazy Fancy (Food + Entertaining)
I used to write the blog, “Notes on a Party,” as The Lazy Hostess so Olivia Muniak’s newsletter speaks to me on so many levels. She’s the creative force behind beautiful events for goop but her personal vibe reflects her relaxed, joyful way of cooking at home. She’s recipe testing in Mallorca right now which is my dream.
Read: 5 Recipes from Mallorca
8/ Night Shade (Fashion + Design)
I miss my New York fashion days so reading Ghia founder Melanie Masarin’s newsletter is a guilty pleasure. I’m so inspired by her taste in interior design and her tenacity in scouting vintage furniture for her NY and Paris apartments. She’s also a wizard at finding the hidden fashion treasures on sale.
Read: The Affordables (it’s almost La Rentrée)
9/ Zillion Trillion (Fashion + Parenting)
True story that I met Victoria de la Fuente at a Substack event and we’ve been inseparable ever since. She’s a fashionable techie and a mom of two wild things. Her newsletter is bursting with color and vulnerability — filled with commentary on what it’s like for the modern woman navigating life as a parent and founder.
Read: 45 Travel Hacks From Cool Moms
10/ Btwn Meals (Nutrition)
My friend Mia Rigden and I have so much in common from our philosophy on food to our love of heavy weights. She writes her newsletter from the POV of a nutritionist and trained chef so expect mouthwatering recipes and meal plans to get you cooking healthy at home (and actually loving it). I’ve offered to taste test!
Read: The Sunday Edit: Warm Lentil Salads, Peach Salsa, and Delusional Optimism
Nice list - thanks!
Thank you thank you for including me. So honored to be in such wonderful company 💖