"Yours are the only emails I actually open and read" - a regular reply in my inbox since 2009...and I'll bet in yours, too, once you subscribe and learn by pure, lazy osmosis to become the most compelling writer around. That said, no promises on improving your moral character.
My friend wants to breathe down your neck
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Hey hey! First things first: my heart is with LA right now. Thoughts ‘n’ prayers don’t stop fires or undo tragedy, but I still like to let people know I care. Friends have had to flee and don’t know whether their homes are still there. The images are out of a Mad Max movie. I’m devastated for everyone who’s lost their homes (or more) — even ridiculous humans and circa-2006 gossip-blog fixtures Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, who, bizarrely, were the first public faces of “celebrity” home loss. In my feed, anyway. Maybe the algo knows I was a big sucker for The Hills. I’ve had my eye on the Watch Duty app, which maps the fires and evacuation statuses so I don’t have to keep “checking in” with my sister, who’s home with her family in Pasadena. They have go-bags by the door and have been hosing down the roof periodically. I hope neither ends up being necessary. OK, now on to regular-life stuff. I’ve been slacking on Instagram for who-knows-how-long out of silent protest against the algorithm, which I decided hates me and hides my posts out of pure spite — and maybe jealousy? Maybe the algorithm resents my success and my happy marriage, because it’s never stuck to a strategy or made a relationship last? So petty. I’m sad for you, algorithm. But recently, I decided to give it my all again. I always want more Shrimpers (subscribers) like you, and that platform is one of my top gateways. In December, I started working with an Instagram expert I find tremendously inspiring. She’s prolific and completely herself in every post and makes it feel easy. She challenged me to post every day. Actually, I committed to 5 days a week, but — with the exception of most of my vacation, I’ve been going for 7x a week. I don’t necessarily feel like it. I’m playing with formats and trends I don’t have the hang of yet, and “beginner” is not my favorite status. But just when I think of letting myself off the hook for the day, my new teacher (I’ll tell you more about her soon) nudges me to just get something posted. Or, as I and my Shrimp Club members call it, “slap shit up.” I’m not the best at keeping my word to only myself. I need someone checking in, encouraging me, and *lightly* breathing down my neck. Emphasis on lightly. Accountability is powerful! See for yourself. It may not look like much to you, but this is me pushing myself:
So many reels! BTW – hope you’re following me. You can breathe down my neck, too! xoLaura PS - Here’s how to help the victims of the LA fires. Slide 5 is a list of places to donate, which Steven and I will be doing later today. Psst! Since you're signed up to get my emails on a weekly basis, here's what you missed this week!
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Thank you for reading and sharing, |
Laura Belgray (Talking Shrimp)
"Yours are the only emails I actually open and read" - a regular reply in my inbox since 2009...and I'll bet in yours, too, once you subscribe and learn by pure, lazy osmosis to become the most compelling writer around. That said, no promises on improving your moral character.
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