Welcome to Rising Up

A newsletter about how to thrive in a world that feels like it’s imploding

Hello, Hi, Salaam!

Thank you so much for joining me in this space. It feels truly wonderful to connect with you here, away from annoying algorithms, crazy trolls and sponsored posts. I hope this becomes a community where we can have authentic conversations on the issues that matter to us and, hopefully, spread a little hope and joy along the way!

This newsletter brings together the great passions of my life – social change, personal growth, creativity and food.

In recent years, as the external world has been plunged into a global pandemic, the climate emergency has heightened and the Far Right have increased their mobilisations around the world, bringing these elements together has felt not just important but also urgently necessary. Phrases like overwhelm, burnout and exhaustion have become commonplace in my social networks (as well as conversations about loneliness, anxiety and despair at the state of the world). So I wanted to create a space where I can share conversations and build a community on how we navigate all the crazy so we can not only survive, but thrive in today’s world. Not just so we can feel personally better in our individual lives but so that we can stay connected and compassionate, engaged and empowered, creative and confident to meet whatever challenge - be that personal or political.

In this newsletter I share stories, strategies, interviews and advice which I hope will help you (and me!) navigate this crazy thing called life. As well as my writing, you’ll also hear from my community of friends, talented people from the worlds of politics, the arts, psychology, philosophy, wellbeing and food. By subscribing you’ll ensure you’ll never miss a post.

Free subscribers will get a weekly newsletter.

Paying subscribers will get that, plus a more intimate experience through Q+As, a monthly recommendations round up, recipes (because food is one of the great joys of life!), access to my full archive and exclusive news

Paying subscribers will also be supporting the work that I do.

I want to push back against the concept that writers should be working for free. This newsletter takes many hours to plan, write and publicise. If you value and enjoy the work I do, please consider supporting it so I can keep doing it.

I also offer a limited number of founding memberships that will allow you to go even deeper - you’ll get a one hour video call with me to talk about whatever you want and I’ll also edit a piece of writing for you, up to 3000 words.

I appreciate that financially times are tough for many, so if you want to be a paying subscriber but can’t afford it right now, just contact me. I’ll offer a few gifted subscriptions each month.

Phew! So that’s it. i hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and it’s sparked some interest. I look forward to connecting with you here in this community.

Yasmin xx