By far, and I mean by far, my biggest challenge when I started writing for a living full-time 14 years ago was dealing with the lack of daily interaction with other people. I work from home. When my wife would come home from work, I would feel like a puppy that had been left at home alone all day.
It gets better. You adjust. But it also becomes clear that you need to find outlets to interact with people on a regular basis. Otherwise you go crazy and start writing your manifesto.
Well I, for one would like to read Chris’ manifesto. Hopefully Chris met some folks who he can fraternize with in person more, and he can join a book club.
If I lived closer, I’d love to have a drink with Chris and his new friends. Best wishes!
There used to be a cartoon back in the 80s, "Mr. Boffo". I always loved the one that was him standing in the open doorway - from the rear, so you could see his home writing office - with the caption "Hi, Honey, I'm home!"
That's definitely how I feel the past 40 years as a screenwriter and author. Being Aspergian and thus thought "weird" as a kid (the crime for which the perpetrator wishes for capital punishment), I retreated to my personal activities long before. I interact with people face to face, but by my choice, not the choice that I showed up at work that day and have to spend eight hours being nice to idiots. In 2020, I was saying "What is this 'social distancing' you speak of?"
The internet, or at least the parts of it that are actually interesting before the rejects from the last clown show arrive to queer the deal, is nice - Substack is soooooo superior to Xitter, Threads, or whatever other time-waster one can come up with. Hopefully this is the "cool neighborhood bar" that won't go to hell on Saturday nights when the "slopover" shows up.
Very interesting, Chris. While I haven't been to an in-person Substack event down here in NC, I've recently discovered, online, quite a few like-minded people in the hopes that we might be creating a new publishing industry that offers far better monetization than traditional book publishing where writers receive about 10% of the list price of a book. There's got to be a better way.
i think its now time to host a Chris Cillizza conference. or better yet, lets call it either a party or a fan club gathering! Taylor Swift has her "swifties", maybe we can be called "Cillizzittes"?
This piece made my heart smile...happy for your "yes" and the more you do it, the easier it will get. As many here have said it, I also really enjoy these posts that are more about you as a human being navigating life... I don't know, it reminds me about our shared human experience. (not to say I don't enjoy your other ones, I do!!). Thanks!
I'm always amazed that there are so many people who agree with me among my Substack subscribers. Actually, I'm more amazed there's that many of them. :-)
What a wonderful piece!!! It has inspired me...an way to early retired (disabled) soul who spends too much yime alone to grab my creativity and charge forward! Thank you.
At my last job, we got sent home in March 2020 and switched to fully remote, hiring people from across the country. We had a party to celebrate a revenue goal in June 2021 and it was surreal meeting everyone in person for the first time. In a way, it felt like one long OKCupid date, only I actually enjoyed myself.
I think many of us can relate to a certain extent, as we switched to working from home for covid. It is a huge change from being in an office with people all around, talking, interacting and just hearing office chatter. Now, working from home we lose all of that and sit can be jarring. I know it is a different situation from yours but the loneliness can be the same. For me, it worked out nicely as I was at the end of my career and was tired of the office politics. I was able to work from home and not have to deal with all of that. However, there were days that I was very lonely sitting at my desk. I also get how one can not be enthused to say yes to some things, especially in the evening. Family is home, bad weather, just not feeling it, etc., but glad you said yes and had a positive experience.
Excellent column! Saying "Yes!" to new opportunities, social invitations, conversations, etc is invaluable. You never know what is around the corner unless you go boldly (or peek) around that corner. (I was given this advice after I retired from a long career and missed the people so much. But saying Yes introduced me to a whole new realm of wonderful people!)
I am so happy for you and thank you for sharing your personal feelings too. I love your insights on politics, but these writings make a big difference in how I appreciatie you. Thank you!
By far, and I mean by far, my biggest challenge when I started writing for a living full-time 14 years ago was dealing with the lack of daily interaction with other people. I work from home. When my wife would come home from work, I would feel like a puppy that had been left at home alone all day.
It gets better. You adjust. But it also becomes clear that you need to find outlets to interact with people on a regular basis. Otherwise you go crazy and start writing your manifesto.
More of us probably should write our manifesto. Clarifying. Be loud, be proud, be heard.
Well I, for one would like to read Chris’ manifesto. Hopefully Chris met some folks who he can fraternize with in person more, and he can join a book club.
If I lived closer, I’d love to have a drink with Chris and his new friends. Best wishes!
There used to be a cartoon back in the 80s, "Mr. Boffo". I always loved the one that was him standing in the open doorway - from the rear, so you could see his home writing office - with the caption "Hi, Honey, I'm home!"
That's definitely how I feel the past 40 years as a screenwriter and author. Being Aspergian and thus thought "weird" as a kid (the crime for which the perpetrator wishes for capital punishment), I retreated to my personal activities long before. I interact with people face to face, but by my choice, not the choice that I showed up at work that day and have to spend eight hours being nice to idiots. In 2020, I was saying "What is this 'social distancing' you speak of?"
The internet, or at least the parts of it that are actually interesting before the rejects from the last clown show arrive to queer the deal, is nice - Substack is soooooo superior to Xitter, Threads, or whatever other time-waster one can come up with. Hopefully this is the "cool neighborhood bar" that won't go to hell on Saturday nights when the "slopover" shows up.
Very interesting, Chris. While I haven't been to an in-person Substack event down here in NC, I've recently discovered, online, quite a few like-minded people in the hopes that we might be creating a new publishing industry that offers far better monetization than traditional book publishing where writers receive about 10% of the list price of a book. There's got to be a better way.
Substack now pays the bills while I work on the books and use the advances for other stuff. :-)
Indeed. When U find your community, It gives You That HEALING FEELING. Glad U see the light at the end of the Tunnel, Sir.
i think its now time to host a Chris Cillizza conference. or better yet, lets call it either a party or a fan club gathering! Taylor Swift has her "swifties", maybe we can be called "Cillizzittes"?
"Cillizzites"!! 😅 Love it!
I am glad you said “yes!” It makes it easier to do so later. You got this Chris! New normal. New yeses!
This piece made my heart smile...happy for your "yes" and the more you do it, the easier it will get. As many here have said it, I also really enjoy these posts that are more about you as a human being navigating life... I don't know, it reminds me about our shared human experience. (not to say I don't enjoy your other ones, I do!!). Thanks!
I'm always amazed that there are so many people who agree with me among my Substack subscribers. Actually, I'm more amazed there's that many of them. :-)
What a wonderful piece!!! It has inspired me...an way to early retired (disabled) soul who spends too much yime alone to grab my creativity and charge forward! Thank you.
Love this. So so true!
At my last job, we got sent home in March 2020 and switched to fully remote, hiring people from across the country. We had a party to celebrate a revenue goal in June 2021 and it was surreal meeting everyone in person for the first time. In a way, it felt like one long OKCupid date, only I actually enjoyed myself.
EDIT: Forgot to say glad you had a good time!
I think many of us can relate to a certain extent, as we switched to working from home for covid. It is a huge change from being in an office with people all around, talking, interacting and just hearing office chatter. Now, working from home we lose all of that and sit can be jarring. I know it is a different situation from yours but the loneliness can be the same. For me, it worked out nicely as I was at the end of my career and was tired of the office politics. I was able to work from home and not have to deal with all of that. However, there were days that I was very lonely sitting at my desk. I also get how one can not be enthused to say yes to some things, especially in the evening. Family is home, bad weather, just not feeling it, etc., but glad you said yes and had a positive experience.
Excellent column! Saying "Yes!" to new opportunities, social invitations, conversations, etc is invaluable. You never know what is around the corner unless you go boldly (or peek) around that corner. (I was given this advice after I retired from a long career and missed the people so much. But saying Yes introduced me to a whole new realm of wonderful people!)
❤️
I am so happy for you and thank you for sharing your personal feelings too. I love your insights on politics, but these writings make a big difference in how I appreciatie you. Thank you!
This is so true ... being around your peers is fun and being out of the house and around hustle and bustle just brings the energy
I feel the same way 🧡