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I’m curious to hear from you. What are the big, unanswered questions you’re wrestling with this spring? What’s been helping you cope with that uncertainty?

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Mar 29Liked by Maddie Burton

I love all of this, Maddie! And also feel like I could have written it myself! Definitely feel like I'm living through a period of uncertainty, which isn't all bad but can definitely be challenging! I needed the advice of one foot in front of the other this morning!

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Thanks so much, Lindsey—yes, Abby's advice is fantastic! Your willingness to be open about uncertainty in your own newsletter is one of many reasons why it's among my favorites.

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Mar 30Liked by Maddie Burton

Thanks, Maddie! I love a little mutual appreciate society! :)

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Mar 29Liked by Maddie Burton

Maddie! So excited for your one year and I’m so grateful our paths have crossed. When you talked about the friendships made through these newsletters, I was nodding my head along in agreement. I finally feel like this is a type of social media I actually genuinely like/is productive/rewarding.

I love this new series. Thank you so much for including me! 🥹❤️‍🔥

Extremely impressed with your web design study. That takes a special kind of patience. And YAY for April! Very much looking forward to your newsletters about creativity. 😍

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Thank *you* for writing that piece! It's really stuck with me. And I totally agree—this is the only form of social media I've ever enjoyed, and even then it's mostly because I use it to build 1-on-1 connections. So glad I met you here!

Speaking of writing setups, I'd wager (based on snippets of life that you've shared via Notes) that yours is a beautiful one.

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Nice get-away to Victoria, BC! I know it well.

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If it were just a little bit closer, I'd be there often! Glad you've gotten to spend some time there, too. 🤗

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Apr 4Liked by Maddie Burton

Uncertainty is part of life, I'm afraid. It's the daily conversations we all have with ourselves that boost our sense of self-worth or dump us into depressive disorder, even for those of us who are not bi-polar. Grasping it and moving forward takes courage and judgment. Bravissima!

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I’ve been able to move forward with courage this past year thanks largely to you, Susan! Appreciate your wisdom, guidance, love and support—always. ❤️

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Apr 4Liked by Maddie Burton

We are here for you!!

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Great post, Maddie. And happy almost one year anniversary! So glad I met you here! ☺️

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I’m so glad we crossed paths, Jolene! ❤️

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founding
Mar 30Liked by Maddie Burton

Yesss so much resonates with me here! Wintering, Money Diaries (SO GOOD), and @oliviamuenter's "I don't want friends, I want connection." Have you seen Olivia's new "Desk Tour" posts? I'm obsessed!

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I’m in looove with the desk tours and they totally inspired me to create my own…watch for that next week! If you haven’t checked out Lindsey Stanberry’s newsletter, FWIW, you’re in for a huge treat. 😍

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I’ve added those books onto my want to read list! 📚 I always love a book recommendation ☺️

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Ooh so happy to deliver on that front. Good book recs are worth their weight in gold!

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They are indeed ☺️📚🫶

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Mar 29Liked by Maddie Burton

Great post Maddie! Especially love the interdependence conversation (from a reforming independence junkie). Thanks for the inspiration!

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I'll be the first to join you in the Reformed Independence Junkie support group. Appreciate your kind words always, Sue!

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Maddie!! I have SO much to talk to you about!! It might require a zoom if you’re so inclined? First, I live in Victoria, have an Airbnb and I’m currently reading (and writing about) Katherine May’s Wintering. 😳

Next time we have to coordinate a substack meetup! I love everything about this post.

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OMG Kim! Had I only known!! But honestly, my boyfriend and I were so obsessed with our visit to the Havn sauna boat (and our dinner at Wind Cries Mary, and the pastries at Crust bakery...) that I'm sure we'll be back ASAP. 😅

And obviously, yes to your Zoom invite—I think you have my email address, so please reach out and we'll get a date on the calendar! ❤️ Can't wait to hear more about you, life in Victoria, and compare notes on our Katherine May takeaways.

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On it. I’ll message you after Easter weekend.

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"Take a step, step again, it is all that I can to do the next right thing." <- I don't often quote Disney movies, but Frozen 2 is full of SO MANY good anecdotes about transition and finding your inner power. Love the new format and looking forward to the next iteration!

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Clearly, it's time for me to start watching animated movies, if only for the fabulous life lessons! Never thought I'd say this, but: adding Frozen 2 to my queue now. 😜

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"writerly stars they're just like us" is SO up my alley! and can't wait to read Slow Productivity 😉

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Ooh, can't wait to hear what you think! And if you published your own edition of "Writerly Stars, They're Just Like Us!" I'd read it in a heartbeat...

Signed, a former subscriber of Us Weekly

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Oh this is a brilliant addition to Y5YP, friend! It feels like such a lovely touch point for you, first and foremost! The fact that we get to read it is icing on the cake 🎂

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Well it feels like my heart just expanded three sizes! I so appreciate the vote of confidence, Cait. I always love these peeks behind the scenes when others publish them...which explains why I've been obsessed with CONSUMED. 🙃

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I think by "roasted' you mean "a gentle nudge". 😂

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There we go! 😅

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I love this combination of using self-advocacy, interdependence, and creativity to embrace uncertainty in a value-aligned way. (And thank you for the shout-out to my newsletter--you truly made my day, Maddie!)

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Thank you *so* much—and I'm truly glad the shout-out was meaningful. I've been increasingly fascinated by the topic of connection in recent years, and your research and writing is just top-notch! 🏆

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