I didn’t tell my friends about this

Well, here I am. Writing my first actual post on Substack. It was only a few weeks ago that I was welcomed into this community of daydreamers, selfcare enthusiasts and lovers of aesthetics (I mean, the word in itself is a piece of art, right?) . and it’s a place where I feel right at home. Since then, I’ve been spending my lazy time scrolling through articles like ‘A list of things that make your life feel chique’ and ‘Ways to live a softer life’ and I’m here for it. As a consumer only. Or so I thought.

And then I posted a picture that got likes and then more likes and then got restacked a couple times and then so many likes that I turned off the app’s notifications on my phone because my screen was constantly lit up by the names of strangers. Strangers that liked the blurry pic I snapped when I cycled home from a party a little tipsy but enjoying the world to the fullest. And I suppose that is the core of what everyone on here is trying to do, explore and teach (based on the content that the algorithm is serving me at least. And if you’re here, you’re probably in the same bubble. Isn’t this place nice?) I’s about Living Life to the Fullest - and not in a ‘work hard, play hard’ kind of way. More in a ‘take a breath, enjoy this moment’ kind of way. And I, if I may say so, am an expert in this area.

The blurry pic that started it all

I have always loved the beauty in this world and quite frankly detested its ugliness very intensely. When I was a kid, whenever it smelled rather bad wherever we were I would tell my parents “there’s a stench in my nose” and cry actual tears of sadness. Whereas beautiful views, foods and music (and nice smells obviously) would make me the happiest girl in the world. Not much has changed since then, honestly.

On my substack I will therefore share with you my perspective on this beautiful world in words, lists, photographs that may or may not be accompanied by cheesy oneliners and who knows, maybe even a recipe now and again. Expect nature (I live in the flattest country on earth: the Netherlands. I will make it my mission to show you how beautiful it can be), vintage finds and thrift shop treasures, dreamy aesthetics, mouthwatering foods and just general joys in life. Because who wouldn’t want to surround themselves with these lush pleasures?

I live in the flattest country on earth, but wait: I will show you how beautiful it can be (if you only stand still to see it)

Okay, so one more thing: let me explain the title of this post. I am a quitter. I love taking on new projects, love, love, love it. I love making plans for new projects. I love dreaming up a businessplan and designing a logo en telling everyone around me about my new exciting thing that’s gonna really be my thing, you know. But after the businessplan and the logo and the telling everyone, the excitement usually fades and I leave the door ajar, keep the Facebookpage with one single post active, keep that emailadress for the webshop I once started, just in case. Until years later I’m ready to admit that nothing’s ever going to come of this project and I delete everything anyway.

I thought I’d try something different this time. No plan, no logo, no telling everyone. This Substack is for you, my dear strangers. Or actually, maybe it’s for me. A place where I can collect the things and words and thoughts that make my life a more beautiful one. No expectations, no rules, just joy. And you’re all welcome to join this beautiful comfortable bubble.

X Lonneke