This Needs Hot Sauce

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Walk It Off

6 days ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

Do you remember the first time you saw the Pharrell Maggie Rogers video? An old coworker of mine went to summer camp with her and showed me back in 2017, in a cubicle under fluorescent lights. I got hear her perform last October and in addition to songs off her new album, she sang Alaska, a song that I’ve always loved but have really been playing on repeat over the past month or so.
Officially a Childless Cat Lady

1 week ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

Hi friends,I’m writing to you as a brand new cat mom (she slept with me for most of last night and it was the best). I’m so happy to have her here and can’t wait till she gets more comfortable in her space—she was perched on the table this morning and really looked like she owned it. I’ll share more about her soon, but we do have one major thing in common: we both love restaurants. She was found outside of a Red Lobster in Brooklyn, in search of some food.
The Witching Hour

1 week ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

Rabbit, rabbit! It’s been a few days since my witchy gathering in the apartment and I wanted to share more about how it came together and why it felt so impactful. Since moving to Brooklyn, I’ve hosted parties fairly regularly.
Clearing the Air

2 weeks ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

This weekend, I hosted my friends for a special night of saging and letting go. The apartment has a new energy after being filled with so much laughter and catharsis and I’m so glad I did it. On Thursday, I’ll share more about the event and what we did in case you’d like to host a witchy gathering of your own. Last week, I shared 10 Things I Felt and 5 Things I Bought Since My Breakup, which felt scary to hit send on—I scheduled it only ten minutes before because it felt so vulnerable.
10 Things I Felt and 5 Things I Bought Since My Breakup

2 weeks ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

I’m writing this for posterity/processing to capture ten things that I’ve felt since the breakup. I’m also sharing a few things that I’ve bought that have served me well. Katie from is wrapping up a series of 40 things she learned in 40 years of life. The final essay was very moving and I screenshotted this section immediately. "But most beginnings look and feel a lot messier than that. Just ask any exhausted parent learning to care for a newborn. A frazzled employee trying to acclimate to a new job.
In Bloom

3 weeks ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

I’m writing to you after one week of solo living. Everyone I talk to who lives alone loves it. I know I will at some point but I’m not quite there yet. There have been some nice moments (I love not using headphones in the house and only having my messes) and some hard ones. I’ve ordered a speaker, a recycling bin, and a hamper. Every new thing that arrives makes it feel more like home.
A Tip for the Next Time You Use a Public Restroom

3 weeks ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

Like many type A eldest daughters, I did a lot of babysitting when I was kid, starting around age 11 or 12. I don’t think that happens so much anymore and I can understand why, but everything always worked out okay. I mostly babysat within walking distance of my house so my parents were on call if anything happened. Sometimes I babysat kids who were already asleep and sometimes I babysat kids whose parents were upstairs and needed a few hours to get something done.
An Apartment of My Own

1 month ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler |Hetty McKinnon |Lukas Volger |Julie Vadnal

I’m started writing this at LAX on my way home to Brooklyn. On Sunday night, for the first time in more than three weeks, I slept in my apartment, where I’ve lived for a few years, but now live solo. I’m beyond grateful for the generosity of friends and family who have housed me (and fed me and comforted me) over the past few weeks, and I’m so excited to be in my own space. Despite having lots of familiar stuff in it, it feels new.
Wherever You Go, There You Are

1 month ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

I need to start off with a massive thank you for your responses to last week’s newsletter (ICYMI). I was met with so much kindness and was reminded how universal heartbreak is. I know time is the thing that will help the most but hearing about other people going through this pain to end up in a much better place was very encouraging and much needed. I’m writing to you from sunny Los Angeles where I’m still sad and angry and not sleeping well.
I Have Something to Tell You

1 month ago | thisneedshotsauce.substack.com | Abigail Koffler

For the first time in almost seven years, I’m writing to you as a single woman. My relationship is over and I’m starting again, this time at 31. Last week, I couldn’t write, except for in stream of consciousness notes apps. I also couldn’t sleep. My primary goal was to make it through the day, which remains a high priority. In the end, we wanted different things. For the past year or so, there’s been stuff happening behind the scenes and between the meals that I didn’t share.