Some news
I can't wait to tell you...
Hello,
A very Happy Saturday to you all.
I have an announcement I can’t wait to make! I’ve been cooking up this plan for quite a while and today feels like the perfect time to share it, so here goes.
After spending a year finding my feet on Substack, testing out formats and sending out my writing for free, from today onwards I will… continue to do exactly that! I will continue to write one Monthly Notebook article a month and send these out for free, and I won’t be putting a paywall on them.
BUT, for all those of you who want to take a deep dive into all things seasonal (and have access to everything else), I’m excited to say that from today I’m launching a Seasonal Retreat Membership which I can’t wait to tell you about!
Here’s how it all works:
The Short Version
When you join as a paid subscriber you will become an online Seasonal Retreat Member. This means as well as getting my free Monthly Notebook articles you will also get an exclusive package of (virtual) treats sent to your inbox at key points in the Seasonal calendar to help guide you through a mini online Seasonal Retreat, from the comfort of your own home. Retreat members will also get an invitation to a virtual gathering at each of the Solstices and Equinoxes, held in our private Substack chat space.
Sound good? The first package of Retreat emails will be landing in inboxes at the Autumn Equinox, when we will dive into all the spiced apple, full-moon magic of the Harvest season. My favourite!
The Long Version
Why a Seasonal Retreat Membership?
In a nutshell, I think we all need it.
I’ve been writing about Seasonal Living for a pretty long time (I’ve published two lifestyle books and have been a lifestyle journalist for nearly 20 years. You can read more about this here), and for the past year I’ve been writing exclusively about Seasonal Living on Substack which has been an absolute joy.
But I noticed that two of my posts in particular were getting more views and likes than all the others. These were: January Notebook - The Slow Living Issue and How to Squeeze Seasonal Living in to a Busy Life. Which made me think.
Modern life is hectic. We’re stressed. We’re busy and we’re time-poor. We don’t need another thing on our to-do list. Instead we want to slow down, and step back from the bustle of every day life now and again. We want to look up at the stars, listen to the wind in the trees, take a moment to breathe. We need hibernation rituals and permission to rest.
So I listened. And this Seasonal Retreat Membership is designed to offer you just that. Permission to look up at dark skies, follow the phases of the sun and moon, tune into seasonal recipes at a few wild and ancient times of the year.
Think of it as a little nudge from me every so often to remind you that there is a simpler, wilder way of being. Hopefully these email packages will land in your inbox just often enough to keep a seasonal thread of connection running throughout the year, but not too much to overwhelm you.
With the Autumn Equinox around the corner, we are about to enter into a beautiful season of rest, reflection and thanksgiving (my all-time favourite season!) Which feels like the perfect time of year to launch this offering.
Q&A:
1. What will I get?
In the week leading up to each Solstice and Equinox I’ll send you a package of exclusive Seasonal Retreat emails each one exploring a different aspect of the season. From cake recipes and ritual ideas to cosy book lists and seasonal essays; they will link together over the space of a week to guide you through a gentle mini-retreat at a pace that suits you. And everyone on the retreat will be reading them at the same time. This is the beauty of it. Wherever you are in the world, we will all be exploring seasonal magic together.
I’ll also open up a private Substack group chat at each of the retreats. This can be used to test recipes, share seasonal photos, read along with seasonal books and connect with others.
2. Is it all online?
Yes, this is a fully virtual ‘retreat’ and community. You can take part in your pjs, on your phone, or from the comfort of your favourite armchair.
I’m calling it a retreat because I hope our membership community will have that feel to it; a step back from every day life. But it’s really very simple and straightforward. As well as your regular monthly emails from me, an exclusive package of emails will be sent out to all paid subscribers 4 times a year and these will also sit on my Substack page, so you can access them all there any time you like. The private chat space will also be hosted on Substack.
I’ll be honest, this is a bit of an experiment. I’m hoping it will strike a chord with some of you, but the only way to find out is to try it! I’m planning to run a year of these retreats, after which I’ll regroup and see if it’s something that we would all like to continue with.
Am I overselling it? Am I underselling it? Is anyone still reading this email? I have no idea. But let’s find out!
3. Will I have to join in with ‘group activity’ stuff?
Absolutely not! Introverts are welcomed and respected here (I am one! You’re among friends). This is a very low-key and relaxed offering.
Everything I send you will arrive gently and quietly in your inbox for you to enjoy and savour at your own pace. In a busy world, I want this to feel like a safe and warm online place to settle and rest for a while. There will be cake recipes. There will be book recommendations. There will be zero stress.
And there is zero commitment or obligation for you to do anything. Once you’ve subscribed all you have to do is wait for my retreat emails to land in your inbox. You don’t have to read them all, you don’t have to join the chats. Just take what you need and leave the rest.
But if you do fancy meeting like-minded people and making meaningful online connections, I have a feeling our private Substack chat space would be a lovely place to do that.
5. I’m in! How do I join?
Hurrah. Just upgrade your free subscription to paid and you’re in the club. You’ll automatically be sent your package of email goodies in time for the next online Seasonal Retreat. You can pay monthly (£4 per month) or yearly (£40 a year).
If you have any questions please do ask them below and I’ll happily answer / clarify anything for you. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this, so it will be a learning experience for us all! But I have put a lot of preparation into it, so I am really hoping it will go well and that it will be rewarding and relaxing for us all.
Yours in hopeful anticipation,
Vicky xx
This feels like the right thing at the right time for me. Looking forward to the soft and quiet nature of all of this. Thank you. 💜
Vicky I think this is a brilliant idea and the perfect natural progression from your wonderful monthly notebooks. Congratulations and can’t wait to receive the first of these retreats.