Simon Says... Past Me Would've *Hated* My Life Now.
On being open to change, and life's many surprises.
Welcome to Simon Says, a weekly newsletter from Rachel Simon about writing, not writing, and sort-of-, kind-of, I’m-putting-words-on-a-page-but-let’s-be-real-they’re-garbage writing. For current and aspiring writers, but everyone else is welcome, too.
Yesterday, I was walking Ellie, admiring my pretty neighborhood and basking in the sun, when I started thinking about how the Rachel of just a few years ago would have been stunned to see my life now. Living in North Carolina, not New York? In a house, not an apartment? Working from home, not in an office? Publishing a book about pickleball?? If you’d told me all this was coming, I would’ve said you were crazy. Those were not the things I wanted, nor ever could’ve imagined happening.
But over the last few years (with help from the pandemic), my wants and needs have shifted dramatically. The things I once cared about most, like being in a huge city or interviewing celebrities, don’t matter to me at all anymore. And the things I do now care a ton about, like owning a home or being able to take my dog for a midday walk, would have seemed ridiculous to my past self. I wouldn’t have understood how I got here, or why my current world makes me so damn happy.
But that’s the beauty of life; we never know what the future will bring, or how we’ll evolve as humans to get there. As content as I feel in my life right now, I know that it could look totally different in one, two, five years’ time. I have zero idea of what the Rachel of then will want or need, what changes she’ll have craved and what opportunities she’ll have taken.
To some people, I know, that uncertainty can feel scary. But I think it’s beautiful, and exciting. It reminds me of my favorite line from Sheila Heti’s Motherhood, which I have paraphrased on my body: “She said it wasn’t a matter of choosing one life over another, but being sensitive to the life that wants to be lived through you.”
Let your life unveil itself, and stay open. You never know what goodness is in store.
Work Updates:
I did some really fun book promo this week, including spots on Inside Edition and NBC! I’ll share the clips on my Instagram (@rsimon113) and Twitter (@rachel_simon), so keep your eyes peeled.
Raleigh-area folks, you can still grab a ticket to my Pickleball for All launch event at Quail Ridge Books on Aug. 30! Hope to see you there.
In non-book news, I wrote a story for Byrdie on the best swimsuits you can buy right now, in all sizes and styles.
I’ll be teaching a Creative Nonfiction class (via Zoom) with Gotham Writers Workshop starting in October, and you can get more details and sign up here.
I interviewed one of my favorite authors last week, and it should go live early next week! I can’t wait to share it.
This Week in Pop Culture:
I went with Kurt and a few friends to see Bodies, Bodies, Bodies in theaters over the weekend, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a super fun, suspenseful thriller with a pitch-perfect cast.
I finally finished reading Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (lots of repetition in today’s newsletter!), and just…. wow. One of the very best books I’ve read in a long time.
Last night’s season finale of Only Murders in the Building was perfection. I can’t wait for Season 3.
I am obsessed with Sarah Hyland’s wedding dress (well, one of several). One of my favorite celeb wedding dresses ever??
I am *also* obsessed with this:
This Week’s Gratitude Moment:
I read my About the Author page in my book for the first time (in print), and seeing it all there…. I’m a lucky, grateful lady.
Thanks for reading, friends. Have a great week!
-Rachel