Public SERVice Announcement
You thought I could only write one newsletter every two months… think again!!!!!!!
Hey queens,
How are you! I am writing from A’s hexagonal sitting room that has no AC. My laptop is sticking to my thighs and he has just sneezed all over my bag.
I am phoning home to update you on some updates. You could say I’m upupdating, dating the up or up ‘casually seeing #nolabels’ but before we get into the meat and the potatoes of this newsletter here is a short LinkedIn post-style segway to my point.
I had never been to a dermatologist until July 2024. I’m not sure why because I have talked and written about my acne to anyone who’ll bloody listen. This was the case until last month when I woke up, and before I even looked in the mirror I could feel my face throbbing. I finally made an appointment (thanks ZocDoc). I had been putting it off for years but when I went it was so easy/ painless/ helpful/comforting and it took me an hour.
Since going, I have been pondering why I never went before. Was it because it would have been expensive in Ireland or maybe I never really knew how to go about it or because it seemed daunting or I wanted to pretend like I didn't need to go? There are probably a million and one reasons why I didn’t go but after some thinking, I believe the real reason is that for me it feels easier to give out to myself than take action.
This has happened to me a lot recently where I'm just like enough is enough. I’m just over being annoyed at myself about everything and feeling paralyzed by the hate. I want to take action. And I’m doing it!! In little ways (trying to read more and pay for my therapy sessions on time) and in big ways (going to the dentist and reading my writing out loud) and even in medium-sized chunks (joining the gym). There is no better feeling than ticking things off my to-do list. It’s addicting and there are always more things to do, to add to the list and the list gets expenses ($600 smile) but I am proud I am looking after myself.
Which brings me to something that is always on my to-do list that never gets done and also allows me to beat myself up - this newsletter. The truth is I love this newsletter. I love to write and think about things. I love making myself laugh and thinking that my friends might get a giggle out of the weird things I keep in my brain. I love when you guys text me and email me saying you read it!! I love so many things about it yet I don’t really do it. I get freaked out thinking it needs to be ‘something’. ‘Something’ that feels big and important or interesting or funny or inspirational or god only knows the other things I think it needs to be.
Of late though, I have been really loving newsletters that are either short and sweet (Feed Me & Perfectly Imperfect) or remind me of the OG blogging days, that give me a slice of someone’s life in a way that feels different to their Instagram ie Angel Cake. After a recent Feed Me article ‘The machine in the garden’ maybe I shouldn’t be too moved by these but hey, I feel so refreshed after reading them! Although each of them holds ‘something’ the most important thing is that I enjoy it. So with the idea of making something that both you and I can enjoy, I am proposing a reshaping of this newsletter. Instead of feeling pressure to write, I want to shake and stir things up! Dare I say, even add a twist.
Those who know me best know I would never consume a Martini with a twist (or gin). It’s a filthy vodka requested with “as many olives humanly possible” with batted eyes for moi.
In the same vein of doing things and doing things my way - let’s get filthy! ec phone home is changing, maturing, a metaphorical dropping of the balls if you will! Variety is the spice of life and bby between the insane ideas and my exhaustion of hating myself for not writing a newsletter, I’m excited for this new phase! There are way too many good things in this life and too many things to love, to read, to write, to be cringed out about two years later so why not!!
I have done some thinking and some planning and here is what I have come up with. The newsletter will be weekly (no longer weeklish) and will be a mix of four short and sweet different vibes.
Every month you will receive the below in your inbox:
Poem and/or writing: Exactly what it says on the tin - a little piece of writing or a poem that I have been working on. I may or may not have gotten a chance to read at my very random Creative Writing group so you will be my guinea pigs. Let me know your thoughts. Did it make you laugh, cry or need to consume a Tums?
Bloggy Life Up Date: I have been obsessed with blogs, vlogs and plogs for as long as I can remember (nothing of import happened to me before finding YouTube in 2010). Since moving to New York, my sister also begs me to do a vlog regularly but I can barely take any photos so I feel like this segment acts as a middle ground of documenting something fun I am doing or seeing or engaging with while also not having to learn how to edit a video or download TikTok.
Recless: I am often in need of a recommendation, and I KNOW you are too! This new section makes my loved ones dance for their dinner as I ask them to share some recommendations with me for you, I and them to enjoy.
Diall Emma: This is a newsletter I am going to need YOUR help with!! Do you have a dilemma that you need someone who has 0 qualifications to help you with? Do you need comedic relief from a gal who once broke her leg putting on her knickers? Do you have boy problems and need help from a girl who has hung with some of the worst men NYC has to offer? Well girl, diall emma or email me (ecphonehome@substack.com). It will always be anonymous. Your secret is SAFE with me x
On a slightly different note, I am also now letting you know that if you would like to support my newsletter you can now do so. There is zero pressure to but for those who do subscribe, I’m going to do a monthly pod and some other fun bits and pieces. If you can support it great but if you cannot, I completely understand and still love you.
Anywho, let’s cut out hating ourselves and let’s get to writing this little letter,
Love always
Emma Joy Collins x
P.s. Please see below for some music I liked this week