Important update: Announcing… a new chapter for The Shoulds
A one-time offer. Plus! How to join my virtual ‘New Year’s Eve reflections’ workshop.
Hello friends,
It’s been a couple of months since I pressed the pause button on London life and came to live in not-so-sunny-anymore Lisbon. My one goal, while here, wasn’t to get a tan or learn to surf, but instead to launch the newsletter you’re reading right now: a home for my writing going forward, and a space to have conversations around the things I know you & I care about.
I’m proud of how far it’s come, and it’s been incredible to see this community growing by hundreds each week. We’ve explored everything from how overcoming productivity guilt can help you value your relationships to a deep dive into the inescapable meditation trend. We’ve had community discussions, crowd-sourced resources & links, first-person essays (from me, and moving forward from guest writers too) and conversations with experts. As a professional loner writer, putting together this newsletter has been the most creative & connected I’ve felt in my career.
As 2023 (and my return to London) approaches, I’m moving The Shoulds to a reader-supported, paid model. There will be occasional ‘preview’ posts for new subscribers, but the vast majority of content going forward will be behind a paywall – which is the natural next step in The Shoulds’ evolution.
I’ve spoken before about this move, which allows me to devote myself to this newsletter even more; to maintain the quality of the writing, curation and interview content; and to establish a closed, safe space where I can be open with you – my audience – and allow you to do the same. I understand some of you won’t choose to upgrade your subscriptions right now, and that’s more than OK. But if you decide to support this newsletter, I’m so excited to make this a tighter, more interactive community, and to get to know you all a little better.
New Year’s Reflections: December 31st workshop
On that note, I wanted to create something special for early subscribers… and I’ve gone seasonal! This December 31st a.k.a. New Year’s Eve, at midday, I’ll be running a guided New Year’s Reflections workshop on Zoom exclusively for paid subscribers (which will be later made available on-demand for those who miss it). Details to follow.
This is a tried and tested format: I’ve been running an NYE Reflections workshop with my friendship circle for the past couple of years, and this year, I want to open it up to you. It’s my antidote to the demoralising tradition of ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ (we’ve all heard the stats about 91% failure rates). Instead, it’s a mindful way to say goodbye, with gratitude, to the year gone, and to begin the coming one with intention and positivity – and it will reap benefits months on.
How much will a paid subscription cost?
Becoming a paid subscriber normally costs just £5 a month – £4.17 if you pay annually. That’s one and a half Starbucks blonde-roast oat lattes and just as warming, without the caffeine jitters. Even better news, if you subscribe within the next fortnight, you get an extra bit off with my launch discount.
How do I upgrade to a paid subscription?
Upgrading your subscription couldn’t be easier – just click one of the links I’ll be sprinkling throughout this post, and you’ll be signed up in no time. That said, any problems – email me (just reply directly to this email).
As a paid subscriber, you will get:
All weekly content, delivered directly to your inbox
An invitation to my New Year’s Reflections workshop on Zoom
Access to the archives
Members-only community threads
Audio versions of every post
Submission of reader questions & topic suggestions
My eternal love & gratitude
Finally… a discount!
To mark this move to paywalled content, I’ve created a one-off launch discount with Substack that gives you 20% off your subscription for a whole year. This will only be available for the next fortnight, so make sure you claim it in time.
And with that, I’m off to continue working on the next few weeks’ newsletters, which will be landing in your inboxes each Thursday, and available as ever on The Shoulds homepage.
A huge thank you in advance to everyone who subscribes after reading this email (or who has already). I can’t wait to grow this community, and for you to be part of that journey.
Stay happy, stay curious.
Francesca