What's happening?
Updates on this newsletter, introducing Treehouse Annex, and more. And how you can support!
It’s been a while since I wrote to you. I should warn you that this letter is long. Rightfully so, you might think, but I figured it would be best to give you a heads-up.
So, what’s been happening? Let me recap my first three months as a full-time freelancer and brand-new business owner.
(Spoiler alert: I am losing my goddamn mind.)
At the start of my freelance journey, I wrote down how I would like to spend my ideal week. It’s an exercise first introduced to me by an executive coach (whose services were graciously paid through my participation in a leadership program). When she and I first worked together, I spent all day putting out fires and stifling my frustrations to keep things moving forward. I found myself diminishing my desires and vision along the way. I figured I didn’t know enough about strategy to make a bigger fuss. Of course, I didn’t realize just how wrong I was—and I’ll share more about why at some point.
Anyway, the exercise stuck with me. This time, I settled on the following: 40% client work, 30% freelance writing, 20% teaching & facilitation, and the remainder left for business admin. This is with the understanding that I’d only like to work four days a week. It’s idealistic as hell, but I’m speaking it into existence.
Translation: I am overworking myself.
Rather, capitalism is overworking me. I didn’t take a break after wrapping up the biggest role in my career, so the first three months were spent in purely survival mode. (It makes sense now why you haven’t heard from me, right?)
You might be able to relate, though I hope you take rest more seriously than me.
What You Can Expect Here
As promised, there will be previews of essays from Negotiation. There are three essays that I plan to release this year: Lucky, Under the BART Tracks, and A Holiday in Girlhood.
The essays will be available for all subscribers.
One of those stories was first told on stage ten years ago. Another one was the first essay that I wrote for my creative non-fiction writing workshop in 2022. Another is inspired by a poem that I wrote and performed about eight years ago.
I share that to be vague (and build excitement, I suppose), and to show that some work simply can’t be rushed. I can’t convince anyone that any of those essays are masterpieces, but I can confidently say that I am ready to share them with a broader audience.
Along with the essays, I will share research notes, bits and pieces of conversations, sources of inspiration, and more related to writing Negotiation. Get ready for lots of thoughts and feelings! And nostalgia!
I temporarily removed paid subscriptions out of guilt. I got in my head that I needed to produce more to receive support. Yeah, yeah, it’s a terrible mindset to get stuck in. I am out of that now. Paid subscriptions are available again.
Your support enables me to keep writing this newsletter and Negotiation and put additional time and energy into other endeavors like The Creative Recharge and Treehouse Annex. Keep reading to learn more!
Treehouse Annex
With a push from my husband Larry, I launched Treehouse Annex, a virtual creative hub for artists, writers, and dreamers. Here is an interest form if you want to join Treehouse Annex for workshops, resources, and more. No paid memberships or subscriptions are required at this time. However, you can join as a sponsor on Ko-Fi.
I’ve always wanted a treehouse where I could hide to read, create, or decompress. I had big plans for the treehouse to double as a clubhouse. It’s not impossible to make it happen in person, but why wait when I can create a unique virtual experience? Treehouse Annex will host virtual co-working sessions, workshops, community discussions, and newly resurrected storytelling series, Whine Club.
Many of you may know me as an event producer—film screenings, live lit, exhibits—and it’s a role I’ve dearly missed in the past few years. The pandemic, parenthood, and my long-distance communities have inspired me to shift to virtual events.
I have taste. Arguably, I can say it’s good. It may not alway suit others’ liking, but I do have good taste. I also know a lot of incredible artists and entrepreneurs whose visions and missions I want to help amplify. This endeavor demonstrates extraordinary trust in my ability to pick out art and curate experiences others will enjoy.
I’ve had plenty of help getting me where I am today, whether it was a letter of recommendation from a former professor or employer or a friend responding to frantic texts about whether an application draft was good enough. Most people don’t have access to a network to write a letter of rec, make a referral, or spend an hour ensuring they know their worth.
That’s why I created Treehouse Annex and want to use these workshops as an introductory space for people to nurture their creativity and make new connections.
Currently, I am raising $2,500 to host zine and storytelling workshops through Treehouse Annex throughout 2024. The funds will cover the cost of my labor for this offering. Instead of charging workshop participants, I’m asking my network to help.
How you can support:
Make a one-time contribution on PayPal by clicking this link
Become a monthly supporter on Ko-Fi, or leave a one-time tip. Support on Ko-Fi here
Become a paid subscriber to I’ll Tell You Everything about Living Free
And/or keep hanging around here <3
Why a virtual creative hub? I joined my first AIM chat room at 9 years old but didn’t type a word for two years. A fan chat room introduced me to online diaries, which introduced me to forums and online communities. It was there that I found people—strangers then, friends and kinfolk now—who inspired me to create, embrace my curiosities, and commit to learning more about myself. I haven’t left the internet since, but this is the first time that I am using the internet to develop a platform for sustaining a creative network. Thank you for being part of making it happen.
Upcoming
For those who don’t know, I served as the executive director of Chicago Community Bond Fund for three years. While I am no longer on staff, the organization can’t fully get rid of me; these days, I get to focus on facilitating creative spaces to disrupt the status quo.
Thanks to a grant and CCBF’s team, I recently designed and facilitated a zine workshop series on shifting the narrative about electronic monitoring and worked with participants on creating their first zine. We worked collectively to create a digital zine on Canva, which you can view here. This zine serves as inspiration for a broader zine on the harms of electronic monitoring and pretrial incarceration. That zine will accept submissions in early April; follow @chibondfund to learn more.
Save the Date
My friend Sequoya Hayes reached out and asked if I was hosting anything for World Collage Day on Saturday, May 11th. It was perfect timing as I was in the middle of flushing out details about a zine workshop series that I’d like to bring to Treehouse Annex. Promo materials are still underway, but mark your calendar for Sunday, May 5th, 11:00 am Pacific Time / 1:00 pm Central Time. It’ll be a free, 2-hour workshop & co-creating space. Don’t worry, you’ll be among the first to learn more.
Whine Club also plans to return with another session of our workshop on rage. I’ll share more details here once it is finalized.
New Blog
I started The Creative Recharge, yet another blog, and intended to shift this space there. Upon reflection, I realized I didn’t want to lose a space specifically for Negotiation and the themes I explore within the essay collection. So, if you don't mind, I’d like to stay here.
The Creative Recharge is where I will share about recovering from burnout, nurturing creativity, and navigating a career pivot. I transferred my subscriber list and then unsubscribed everyone because you should have a say in whether or not the content interests you. You can read at this link. (Edit: Link was updated on April 10, 2024.)
Oh, there’s more.
Larry and I also launched Treehouse Annex Photography, after being hobbyist photographers since our teenage years. Over the past year, we’ve had a blast with turning family and friends into models. Now, we’re ready to pursue passion projects and partner with clients. We both love portraiture and event photography, and we would love to work with non-profit organizations and community groups. You can learn more about Treehouse Annex Photography here.
What’s that I was saying about burnout?
Kidding, sort of. I have to admit that I can’t bring myself to devote more time to another 9-5 job right now, especially not for non-profits or in higher education. I’m tired of kicking myself for not creating more, writing more, and spending more time with people I love. And most importantly, I’m tired of feeling like there is endless time to live this life. These projects aren’t the antidote to burnout, but each helps restore my confidence in my writing, storytelling, and ability to bring people together. And that’s an excellent place to start.
So, here we are. I hope you’re interested in sticking around.
With love & appreciation,
Sula Found