Writer's Block and a Frozen Shoulder

A lesson in slowing down to speed up. Plus, a peek at future plans for this substack and a poll.

Dear Reader,

Since many of you are new to my substack, I thought I’d take a minute to say HELLO and WELCOME.

I’m Celia. I’m a CMO who builds early stage wellness brands, biohacker and soon-to-be health optimization coach with a deep interest in root cause medicine and longevity. In the Pink is an old expression that means, “in very good health,” and this substack is an exploration of what it really means to thrive. More here.

It’s been a minute since I wrote anything on this platform — and not because I didn’t have ideas for wellness topics.

Thanks to the New York Times interview in late August, my subscribers doubled in a week. I got really excited and then promptly got writer’s block. What started as an occasional creative outlet for me, all of a sudden felt like it needed to be something more.

My inbox exploded. My vacation got cancelled. This end-of-summer crescendo became an unplanned surge in attention, activity and demand for my time, at a moment when I desperately needed to chill. Can anyone relate?

But aren’t you supposed to ride the big wave, benefit from the momentum and dig in to find that extra energy when opportunity knocks? Yes — but sometimes it comes at a cost.

Not taking my own advice, I was trying to perform like an elite athlete without taking any time for rest and recovery.

Funny how our bodies will start to scream when we repeatedly don’t listen. Ironically, this non-negotiable slowing down manifested in lost mobility in my right arm.

“I could do this with one arm tied behind my back.” This was the cocky statement I used to make when I found a task to be too easy. Try doing something with your arm when it literally can no longer go behind your back. Who’s laughing now? Not me. Especially when I’m cringing with pain trying to hook my own bra strap.

Frozen shoulder. The universe has a wicked sense of humor.

Slow down to speed up.

It’s a business concept that I’ve put into practice many times when my team reacts and runs ahead without a plan. Although it may sound counter-inituitive, not moving at maximum velocity can actually help you reach your goal faster and with greater success. It deprioritizes speed to allow for more learning, listening and exploring.

When I stopped executing and starting reflecting, I was rewarded with clarity and a couple of lessons.

On personal disclosure…

• No one cares as much as you. It might be uncomfortable to be vulnerable but people are bombarded with information so they are likely not ruminating about you long after the moment is over. But if you keep it real, you might make an impact.

On communication…

• I am a slow writer but a fast talker. After a session with Jennifer Hirsch my futurist astrologer friend (aka Soulful Wealth), she informed me that her transcription software couldn’t catch everything I said, because I packed in more words per minute than the maximum allotment. Slow the F down, and speak with intention.

On coaching…

• Listening is far more powerful than speaking. Allowing someone the safe space to come to their own conclusion and connect the dots can be more meaningful to their journey than any regurgitated piece of information or recommendation, even if you have the answer. Don’t cheat them from the experience of figuring it out on their own.

So what’s in store for this substack and community?

After what felt like hundreds of conversations with old friends, colleagues and strangers, I am even more determined to provide resources that empower us on our health journeys.

This pause let me figure out what I want to offer through In the Pink. I’m working on delivering more content and with more consistency.

ESSAYS - I’ll write one to two op-ed style pieces per month on a wellness topic that deserves more attention and research to back it up. These will probably include personal stories or my POV.

GUIDES - These will be deep dives on a topic that is educational with action steps and lots of resources.

ROUND-UPS - A collection of the headlines in easily digestible bites. The most popular topics here could warrant their own future post.

At some point, I’ll move to paid membership so that I’ll be able to continue this ad-free space and invest more time into building this out. I share the sentiment of my friend Megan Strachan of Dorsey (who writes What I Put On Today) who believes in the value of content creators and supporting those who work hard to offer something special to their communities. It’s the new discovery model that lets us rewrite the rules of content and commerce. Thanks to all of you who have pledged with your wallets already. I’m eternally grateful.

Also, in development are digital masterclasses and workshops with the top doctors, practitioners and founders who are bravely leading the charge to educate and innovate in a flawed health ecosystem. I am lucky to know some of them and I want you to know them too.

From my notes, here are the topics that came up over and over again but I would be so grateful if all of you would vote below. Or, leave me a comment about which wellness topic you’d like to see unpacked here in an essay, guide or event.

That’s it for tonight. I’ll be back soon now that I’m more well rested, even if I only have the use of one good arm. At least my frozen shoulder (which I’ve learned is a familiar ailment for those in midlife) will make for some helpful if not hilarious content.

xoCelia