Jun 26Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
I love this. Thank you Sarah.
For unknown reasons I woke super early this morning. An idea for some work that had been brewing for some months but was largely relegated to the 'one day/too hard' bucket, leapt to the forefront of my mind and just would not let go. Much of the theme of my thinking was 'small' and 'connection' and 'conversation'. Why don't I run a 'small' program with capped numbers and lots of interesting discussion and no overt promotion. Why don't I keep it intimate and supportive and exploratory and informal rather than big and bold and 'out there.' It felt right. It felt possible. It felt exciting.
Your words have bolstered my belief that this is the right path. Perhaps some synchronicity? A movement? Whatever it is- thank you.
Ellen, this is incredible! I'm inclined to suggest we meet on Zoom to brainstorm / cheer each other on, since we're dreaming up such similar projects...
Jun 26Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
This was an extremely soothing read. I have always leaned towards small circles, driven to doubt only by the fact that the world, especially the social media world, seems to demand large numbers to offer any financial reward, and sadly we must all earn somehow. But I have only ever felt comfortable in small groups.
Jun 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
Sarah, I have fresh and exciting love for small, even though I always loved small ♥️ your words soothe the anxieties injected by bigger is better narratives.. and make space for all sizes of dreams and realities 🌼💜
Jun 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
What enchanting, almost mesmerizing insights, Sarah. I felt I was discovering you *with* you.
I was also urged to re-appreciate my own joy of smallness, specifically what the big brains call ‘micro connections.’ That sometimes cascade of real love I feel when connecting with a perfect stranger, or one who I see only in passing—the young woman at the car wash who recognizes me and my quippy license plate, sends a wave and a smile and gets both in return. I’ll take that small gift of togetherness over a crowd, an audience, any day of the week. Forever.
Thank you for this small gift; it grows beyond you. 🧡
Jun 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
Warm fuzzies are my currency 😆, and I’ll absolutely take that soft directive! I always mean it when I share a similar comment, thanks so much for the kind nudge. Looking forward to staying in each other’s creative orbit, Sarah. 💖
Jun 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
I love this. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the value of “small” and being content even when we don’t necessarily become that “known quality”, because there are gifts in the “smallness.” Your words helped clarify and confirm some of my own thoughts. Thank you.
Jun 27·edited Jun 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Sarah Teresa Cook, Robin Taylor (he/him)
Thank you for this affirming and celebrational post! I often think that it was the exact smallness of the early mammals that allowed them to survive and thrive while dinosaurs died out. Small can pivot. Small can endure. Small delights and surprises, and it is also strategic. <3
I love this. Thank you Sarah.
For unknown reasons I woke super early this morning. An idea for some work that had been brewing for some months but was largely relegated to the 'one day/too hard' bucket, leapt to the forefront of my mind and just would not let go. Much of the theme of my thinking was 'small' and 'connection' and 'conversation'. Why don't I run a 'small' program with capped numbers and lots of interesting discussion and no overt promotion. Why don't I keep it intimate and supportive and exploratory and informal rather than big and bold and 'out there.' It felt right. It felt possible. It felt exciting.
Your words have bolstered my belief that this is the right path. Perhaps some synchronicity? A movement? Whatever it is- thank you.
Ellen, this is incredible! I'm inclined to suggest we meet on Zoom to brainstorm / cheer each other on, since we're dreaming up such similar projects...
Yes, let's! Although I'm in Australia which often makes time zones challenging - depending of course on where in the world you are?
I'm in Oregon--PST time! I think there's a magical time slot of my early evening / your late morning that could work?
Wonderful meditation! I reoriented and feel inspired. Thank you.
"Reorient." Yes yes! I love this word. I'm glad it found you.
This is incredible, Sarah! For all us small stackers, or at least from me: thank you! 🥞🙏🏼
You're welcome, Kristen. Thank you for the gift of your readership.
This is incredible
<3<3<3
Beautiful reflections, Sarah! I especially loved: “Small makes space for authenticity, integrity, and reciprocity.” This is so essential and true!
Right?! I feel like I'm becoming obsessed with smallness now. It just feels like everything good is there first, and maybe longest.
Just lovely. Thank you!
Aw, thanks Rachel!
This was an extremely soothing read. I have always leaned towards small circles, driven to doubt only by the fact that the world, especially the social media world, seems to demand large numbers to offer any financial reward, and sadly we must all earn somehow. But I have only ever felt comfortable in small groups.
Maybe if we keep talking about this kind of stuff, we can normalize it for those of us who need this other, less popular kind of normal <3
Thanks for these thoughts, Sarah!
Thanks for reading, MaryClare!
This is beautifully small but hugely powerful. 🙏
Thank you!!
Sarah, I have fresh and exciting love for small, even though I always loved small ♥️ your words soothe the anxieties injected by bigger is better narratives.. and make space for all sizes of dreams and realities 🌼💜
Go Team Small! This reflection helps me know I'm on the right track, Raju.
Sarah this resonates so much that I read it a few times in a row 💗
Of course when I saw that you love rewatching Gilmore Girls... then I understood. Clearly we are soul sisters. 😉
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Oy with the poodles already!
Hope we keep crossing paths <3
Hehe that suddenly feels like a real opportunity for a Substack publication name! 🐩
And, likewise 🫶🏼
🤯🤯🤯
What enchanting, almost mesmerizing insights, Sarah. I felt I was discovering you *with* you.
I was also urged to re-appreciate my own joy of smallness, specifically what the big brains call ‘micro connections.’ That sometimes cascade of real love I feel when connecting with a perfect stranger, or one who I see only in passing—the young woman at the car wash who recognizes me and my quippy license plate, sends a wave and a smile and gets both in return. I’ll take that small gift of togetherness over a crowd, an audience, any day of the week. Forever.
Thank you for this small gift; it grows beyond you. 🧡
This gave me the warm fuzzies, and I can't help but feel like I hear an essay of your own brewing...
Warm fuzzies are my currency 😆, and I’ll absolutely take that soft directive! I always mean it when I share a similar comment, thanks so much for the kind nudge. Looking forward to staying in each other’s creative orbit, Sarah. 💖
Kind nudges are *my* currency 🤣
I mean this one, too: I would love to read what you come up with, and hear about how things unfold.
BET! 🙌🏻💫
Beautifully written! All good things come in small packages as they say. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you thank you, Lori!
This is touching and beautiful and hits on such truth. Thank you for this!
Thank you for the reciprocity, Kolina!
I love this. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the value of “small” and being content even when we don’t necessarily become that “known quality”, because there are gifts in the “smallness.” Your words helped clarify and confirm some of my own thoughts. Thank you.
Lynette! This is why writing = magic. Thank you for helping me cast this spell.
Thank you for this affirming and celebrational post! I often think that it was the exact smallness of the early mammals that allowed them to survive and thrive while dinosaurs died out. Small can pivot. Small can endure. Small delights and surprises, and it is also strategic. <3
YES! Oh my. You just wrote three subtitles for a really good follow-up essay...
This is a conversation I would love to have. ♥️
Ditto!!