Gratitude Journal (Newsletter)

This newsletter embodies my journey of practicing gratitude. Titled “Gratitude Journal,” it’s a complimentary resource aimed at fostering community well-being through the sharing of gratitude and personal reflections.

National

English

Newsletter (Digital)

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

N/A

Country

N/A

Articles

Field of Flowers: Living with Social Anxiety

Mar 27, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

In 2016, I wrote this article. My friends at OnBeing shared it. I remember being terrified to write these words but obligated. Obligated because my anxiety was crippling, and no one seemed to be able to put two and two together. How could I be so “public” but also so not interested in people? A lot has changed about me since this article was published. For one, I went to therapy and started tackling my fears and defense mechanisms.
Gratitude: An Open Letter

Mar 10, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear Gratitude,We have come a long way. You've taught me so much about being with my feelings and the duality of life. I'm glad that I don't feel the need to fake a relationship with you anymore. I no longer hear the voices of my elders saying, "Well, you should be grateful," when I wasn't or didn't know how to be. Thank you for allowing me to get to know you for myself. We are close friends now. We know each other well.
Choosing Myself

Feb 16, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

BUY: SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL TEEI shared earlier this week on IG that I spent years abandoning myself and calling it love. Unlearning this would take me years of practice while sorting through shame, guilt, and uncertainty. Growing up, I saw the women in my family leave themselves behind. I saw them carry the world on their backs even when they were worn down, exhausted, and broken.
Shedding is Healing

Feb 9, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

When I first started going through my season of shedding, I quickly discovered that everyone couldn't continue on the journey with me—and it hurt. It was challenging. I went backward more times than I could count because letting go felt too painful. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for every shortcoming and failure along the way. Each step is what made me who I am today. I didn't always feel this way, though—especially when I was in the thick of it. Evolving and changing is hard work.
Living in Alignment

Feb 7, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

A couple of weeks ago, I released my Healing by Example sweatshirts. I made them to be a wearable reminder for us all to keep doing the work and being a leader in our lives. To my surprise, someone decided they loved my design and phrase so much that they would make their own to sell. Same font. Same layout. I was shocked and appalled by the audacity. Stealing someone’s work is never OK, but I felt especially slighted because a white woman stole from me during Black History month of all months, lol.
We Can't Change People

Feb 4, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

When I became an adult, most of my relationships were built on wanting to be the reason someone changed. It was almost like I took immense pride in taking on a person's weight—a task that I just couldn't pass up. I often used to put myself in the role of savior in my friendships and romantic relationships. For me, that was an act of love that I now see wasn't very healthy. Doing that led to many unhealthy connections and a lot of frustration. The more I tried to change people, the worse things got.
I Am Choosing Nourishment

Jan 30, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

Being emotionally well-nourished is something I am deeply committed to this year. The company I keep will be nourishing. The spaces I occupy will feel nourishing. The conversations I have will be nourishing. The time I spend and the energy I invest will be intentional and nourishing. I spent so much of my life feeling emotionally drained, neglected, and disconnected that making this intentional choice to find and receive nourishment feels like a breakthrough.
Gratitude for Boundaries

Jan 26, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

“Balance” and boundaries around work have been so hard for me. I love my career, but I lost my footing when taking breaks from work became non-existent. I felt like a machine ready to break down at any moment. In 2021, for the first time in almost two years, I'd cleared my calendar and was "slow to respond" during the tail end of the year.
Reflections on Self-Doubt and Self-Advocacy

Jan 16, 2023 | alexelle.substack.com | Alex Elle

Change requires us to make a choice: Do we settle and stay the same, or do we press forward, get uncomfortable, and learn from what's in front of us? Things didn't start to shift for me until I realized that changing, healing, and growing were in my hands. No one could do it for me. No amount of therapy, outside validation, or praise could make me do anything if I didn't decide to get out of my own way and show up. And that, my friends, was a lot to hold and reckon with.