Last week marks a year since the first issue of on the verge was published. At the time, this felt like a massive step — it still is. I now have something to care for, to focus on weekly. I get to share my work publicly with the world — and any writer knows how incredibly daunting it is to be at the mercy of an internet user.
One of the main hesitations for me in starting a newsletter was the commitment. I had set a goal to publish once a week, which felt insane because that was 52 weeks of ideas I needed to generate. Of course, I didn’t actually write for 52 weeks, but I did for most, and I’m proud of that.
Since last year, 86 issues of on the verge have been sent out. I shared vulnerable work on the feeling of loneliness, the loss of girlhood, the joy of commuting and my book hoarding habit. I’ve published every Sunday at 3pm and enjoyed having a set schedule, a routine to work through each week. A weekly issue demands rigour and structure. on the verge has been written on late Thursday afternoons and edited in the early scrambles of Sunday mornings; sentences jotted down in sneaky corners of the office away from prying eyes; ideas scribbled while riding the southern railway line.
And during some of that time I also created Kitchen Diaries, a place to share my love for food and the recipes that I try out every week. As you might already know, food is my love language and sharing that is a true pleasure.
On my about page, I’ve written that on the verge is a “mish mosh space of writing where you’ll find a little bit of everything here: self-reflective think-pieces, probably lists of something, things that bring me joy, things that rile me up and keep me awake at night, and the things that I think are worth talking about.” I think it’s very much remained that. There is no niche for me because I’m not a one-topic writer. I explore and obsess and think about anything that comes to mind — some of it makes it to the written page, some of it sits as drafts, others remains private thoughts in a diary.
I’ve always been a creative person and having an avenue where I can explore and discuss and connect with other writers — it’s new ground for me to look at the world through a new lens and with fresh curiosity. I don’t gush often, but I’m grateful for everybody who reads this newsletter. It may not feel like it matters, but it does, so thank you. I hope you stick around for a further 86 issues — and more.
Congrats!!! I love not being a one-topic writer too. I’m almost to my 6 month anniversary on substack, and you inspire me to keep on keeping on. Consistency is such a gift!
Congrats on one year!! xx