I AM UNDER A BLANKET
Nobody Needs This Newsletter
I know that nobody needs this newsletter. I’m all in my head right now, trying to write it. I want this issue to be simple, fun, and authentic. I want you to believe that what I’m about to say isn’t some gimmicky newsletter trick. So, I’ll just say it: I’m not going to make my deadline for getting this newsletter out properly if I don’t send it right now.
But here’s the thing—I don’t have anything written for this drop.
I committed to sending a newsletter every ten days. I know you’d be fine if you didn’t receive this today. You probably forgot it was even coming. Half of you will never even open this. I know.
But I made a commitment to myself, and I want to honor it. I want to prove to myself that it’s not that big of a deal to be on the brink of missing a deadline. It doesn’t mean I have to scrap everything and send nothing. Sure, I can’t twist a fun narrative around something substantial right now. I only have about ten minutes. Now, nine.
Here’s What I Wish I Was Writing About Today:
An in-depth analysis of the women on Love is Blind Season 8, abandoning themselves for men worth less than those spray-painted gold Pier 1 wine goblets.
How, as a lifelong fearful flyer turned fearless flyer over the past 15 years, air travel is incredibly important to me—and how I’m devastated and terrified that my former fears are coming true.
Wanting to be brave enough to share something about myself that I’ve never talked about publicly.
Reflecting on how insane it is that male comedians with podcasts may have tipped the election for Trump.
That one time I bothered Ethan Hawke on his stoop this past Halloween—I still owe you that newsletter.
My fun goal of treating NYC like it’s a different country and exploring it as if I were a tourist.
My obsession with the witches and psychics of TikTok and Threads.
Falling Behind and Freezing Up
I was a few weeks ahead with this newsletter at one point. And you know what being ahead got me? Eventually being a few weeks behind. Why? Because I didn’t want to write while I was “ahead.” I couldn’t keep the momentum going.
And now—I’m busy. And when I’m not busy? I’m in absolute freeze mode, unable even to text friends and family back.
It’s all good. I’ll swing back into action again. I’m not worried.
Right now, I’m going to stop writing and take a break. I’m about to do the most dangerous thing in the world—nap at 7 p.m., fully convinced that I’ll wake up refreshed in half an hour, ready to finish up some things. But I can’t resist. I have to obey this need to cozy up in my weighted, faux-fur blanket.
This Isn’t a Gimmick (But Here’s an Affiliate Code Anyway)
This is the part where I swear that this entire issue isn’t a gimmick. But I do have a fun affiliate code to share. If you want a new faux-fur-weighted blanket, you can use my special link and code to get 20% off.
I’m really into affiliate codes. I wrote to a few places where I genuinely shop and asked if I could have one. They said yes. It’s that simple. Use it, don’t use it—all good.
Here’s my unique link to UnHide: https://unhide.us/JEN20 And use the code JEN20 at checkout.
How Have You Been?
I want to know. I’m super nosy. Wouldn’t you like to know how your fellow humans are feeling this February? I’m going to include some of your answers in a future newsletter.
Send an email to info@jenkirkman.com with two sentences—no context needed. Just tell me how you’re feeling.
Here are some prompts:
Dear Jen, what I wish I was doing every day is ____ but what I’m doing every day is _____.
Dear Jen, I’ve never told anyone this: ________. Please don’t tell anyone, but you can print this without my name.
Dear Jen, my secret wish is _______. I know I should wish for something that helps the world, but I’d be lying if I said this secret wish isn’t my FIRST want.
That’s a Good Start