Why haven't I been writing?

A quick update on NC + several cool things for you to check out this week.

Hello hello, it’s been a long time since we’ve met like this. Before I get your hopes up, this isn’t your standard Not Controversial issue — this is more of a ‘where I’ve been & why the newsletter’s been silent the last few weeks’ update. Scroll down for the tl;dr version + a mega list of things to check out & read to make up for my absence.

So, what’s been happening? 

To be honest, I’ve been teetering on the edge of burnout for a while now. Juggling too many things,  I’ve had to pause or slow down on most, if not all, of my pet projects, and this newsletter was the last soldier standing. Don’t worry, I’m not announcing a shutdown or anything — this solider, and by extension, me,  just need to take some rest. Despite a short break from the newsletter and then an actual short break from work, I’m still not fully recovered. 

To quote my wise friend, “A short vacation cannot cure long-term burnout.” 

During my holiday in May, it all came crashing down; my left wrist got super inflamed — at one point, I honestly thought I had accidentally fractured it; it was that painful.

In an anti-climatic diagnosis — I’ve just been typing too much. 🤡 

I have really fun ideas I want to explore in this newsletter, random articles to write, that freelance writing list I need to update, notion databases to refine — but I need to prioritize my recovery because I know I’ll be writing for decades to come. It’s easier to write about taking rest and 200 times more difficult to actually take rest and take breaks when you feel like time is running out (spoiler alert: it’s not, not really). 

It’s also easier said than done to detach yourself from your output — it really does feel like everyone (especially your job and sometimes, by proxy, those around you in that space) only values you when you’re productive. Which, of course, is absolutely terrible for anyone’s self-esteem & self-worth. I’m working on reminding myself about not taking things too seriously and that there’s only one of me for my loved ones.

Thinking out loud (about this newsletter)

This newsletter is still something that’s very dear to me, and I’ve been trying to encapsulate why I write it because it’s almost an op-ed. Then I came across this Virginia Woolf quote that explains the reason for this newsletter’s existence perfectly: 

At any rate, when a subject is highly controversial – [...] – one cannot hope to tell the truth. One can only show how one came to hold whatever opinion one does hold. One can only give one’s audience the chance of drawing their own conclusions as they observe the limitations, the prejudices, the idiosyncrasies of the speaker. — Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

I know that some of the things I discuss are probably born from anecdotal frustrations — I hear about things and want to write about them to bring attention to these topics. Other times, I pick up things online and learn right alongside you as I write and gain a fresh perspective from your comments. But something I’ve learned over the last two years of bringing my thoughts and ideas to you every week is that there’s always more to learn, more new research to unearth, more stuff to find out and share — and I love that. It keeps me humble and open to revisiting things and gaining more perspective, and I think that feeds into how I grow as a writer and as a human, which, you know, is pretty neat. 

This newsletter is probably going to be a bit more sporadic than I’d like — I’m not a fan of voice-to-text because I come up with what I’m about to write a millisecond before my fingers type it out. When I speak, it somehow sounds like I’ve decided to invent a whole new version of English. 

Anyway, I know I’ve mentioned it several times in past issues, but I’m grateful that you’re still around. And a warm welcome to everyone who’s found this newsletter and subscribed in the last few months despite seeing the lack of regular issues. I appreciate you. 

Not Controversial’s not going anywhere, I’m just going to pop in with an issue when I can type without reaching for my painkillers again (which, hopefully, will be soon — fingers crossed).

Penny for your thoughts? 

I’m also thinking about inviting some of my favourite writers to potentially share a guest post — what do you think? Would you prefer I keep this one just about my thoughts/ideas/non-controversial things, or shall I open the floor once a month or so? 

Tl;dr: My left wrist has been badly inflamed & sore since mid-May, and I’m not able to type as much without pain. Since my day job also involves writing, I’ve had to cut back on fun writing like this newsletter (and the other million ideas in my brain).

If you liked this issue (or like the newsletter in general), feel free to show me some love to encourage me with a coffee — or you can share your fav issue somewhere!

Thank you

Resh Susan

(who writes the fantastic

Satchel Notes by Resh Susan

) for this wonderful note!! 💜

Nia's mega list of interesting links ✨

• The age of average (more like — we're all inherently similar even if we don't know that. Also, originality is a bit more convoluted than you'd expect.) 

• My fav find in the last few months: The Prioritizer (forces you to prioritize when you think everything's equally important)

• We still don't know how to judge great art by bad men (a nuanced look at the art vs artist discussion)

• Shared by the aforementioned wise friend: Why you should stop caring about what other people think

• The first social media babies have grown up — and we've all seen their tantrums go viral. They're (understandably) horrified.

• Self & community reminder about the real business mentality (comic). 

• A useful site to figure out which movie you're gonna watch tonight. (Also, Barbie or Oppenheime — I'm a Barbie girl myself).

• Speaking of films, here are some underrated Indian films you can watch this weekend.

• Another self & community reminder: good enough is just fine. 

• The 6/10 cleaning checklist to keep your house clean when you're busy.

• New segment, maybe: A recipe I intend to make some time this week — Butter garlic rice.

• Content I’m looking forward to: Good Omens S2, Red, White, & Royal Blue, Seven by Jungkook, Barbie, the new BTS book — what about you?

• A grocery list for when you forget to plan your meals.

• Finally, the perfect martini by Guy Buffet:

Artist: Guy Buffet

Thanks for reading! Please tap the heart if you liked this issue (or like the newsletter in general)!