Justine Bateman just wrote an entire essay about how she has nothing to say!
No plot, no resolution, no forced moral of the story, just pure, unfiltered, “I got nothin’”—and somehow, it still pulls you in. Let’s take a moment to appreciate what’s really happening here. Justine’s sitting on a goldmine of personal experiences, industry insights, and deep thoughts about society, and yet she says, “Eh, I’m just gonna live life for a while.” And RESPECT to her.
If there’s one thing worse than writer’s block, it’s writing just to fill space. That’s how you end up with Cats (2019).
And let’s be real—if more people on the internet took a second to say, “Y’know what? I got nothing,” instead of forcing out bad takes and recycled outrage, we’d probably all be better off.
So, to answer your question: Just enjoying the ride—kind of like you.
i love this. its honest. i relate as i too want to write but have life to live or productivity that demands my attention....and i admit usually involve late fees. h8 being motivated by the fear of being charged,
I try to tell folks all the time that the Oscars and Grammys have campaigns and that it's political ... I just watch for the fashion:) I'm inclined to do a deep dive into t-shirt cannons. You have no idea how expensive those things are! But it's in the "more effort than I have time" column.
I just started my own substack. I’m a retired sex worker of 20 years and have an online esoteric academy for women called The Lilith Academy. I am a cultural critic, independent journalist, performance artist and witch. This esoteric work is what keeps me going and rooted in reality and love.
I really would love to read more on what you wanna say about nature. 🌱💚
That’s the life of a writer- it’s not only the ability to string words together but the constant struggle to find ideas that are worth writing about. I liken it to trying to figure out what’s for dinner every night- sometimes it’s gourmet, others it’s toast and peanut butter. Enjoy your toast day.
I just got my 3 year substitute teaching credentials and my first gig was subbing as an art teacher which is what my degree is in. Life is so beautiful
Though I find current events interesting and the how the media editorializes the world through a political lense. The Associated Press is attacked for their unique editorial guidelines but at least they are honest.
Calling the Tesla situation a boycott is absurd. I am not sure how a boycott includes terrorizing owners. Calling the pro-Hamas protests on college campuses that terrorize Jewish students and break into buildings simple peaceful exercises of 1st Amendment speech is a stretch.
I am concerned that I have just realized maybe the AP's interesting editorial choices might be the moderate view.
I honestly think there are far too many people clamoring for attention online under the misguided notion that the world is on pins and needles waiting
To hear their opinions. The political climate is exhausting now that the Left has become so demoralized that any sense of decorum let alone intelligent discourse is now considered backwards and “ineffective”… and the current administration with their bellicose, confrontational rhetoric doesn’t help despite my general support for what they’re doing. Influencers in short skirts sans panties sashaying around luring people to their OF page are now about as significant these days as “political”influencers, especially now that many are simply paid shills and many of them chase every outrage for clickbait. I’m worn out. This isn’t a life. We’ve lost what that is.
Justine, thank you for being authentic with choosing quality over quantity, and being open to sharing that with us here. I also want to acknowledge that as a genuinely bold move which falls outside the normal ‘content creation’ mentality. Additionally, as an aspiring writer I absolutely resonate with wanting to choose when to dive into your topics, and balancing that along with your inner well being. And not that you need this from me, but I dig ALL of those topic ideas you shared with us. :)
I understand you completely, Justine. Life can be recorded in one's mind. We recently spent three weeks traveling through Florida, attending sporting events, and visiting beautiful sites. No pictures taken--none needed. God gives us the ability to have memories. It's liberating.
Justine Bateman just wrote an entire essay about how she has nothing to say!
No plot, no resolution, no forced moral of the story, just pure, unfiltered, “I got nothin’”—and somehow, it still pulls you in. Let’s take a moment to appreciate what’s really happening here. Justine’s sitting on a goldmine of personal experiences, industry insights, and deep thoughts about society, and yet she says, “Eh, I’m just gonna live life for a while.” And RESPECT to her.
If there’s one thing worse than writer’s block, it’s writing just to fill space. That’s how you end up with Cats (2019).
And let’s be real—if more people on the internet took a second to say, “Y’know what? I got nothing,” instead of forcing out bad takes and recycled outrage, we’d probably all be better off.
So, to answer your question: Just enjoying the ride—kind of like you.
It's spring. I am going outside. You should too. Let nature speak to you.
I have so much to say. But I can't let myself think anyone would be interested.
i love this. its honest. i relate as i too want to write but have life to live or productivity that demands my attention....and i admit usually involve late fees. h8 being motivated by the fear of being charged,
thx for writing this. i feel inspired
Well, I’m thinking the ‘naked-ness’ of your truth is very exciting! Let’s tell the masses we’d all like to see more of that! 🙌
I try to tell folks all the time that the Oscars and Grammys have campaigns and that it's political ... I just watch for the fashion:) I'm inclined to do a deep dive into t-shirt cannons. You have no idea how expensive those things are! But it's in the "more effort than I have time" column.
"So, this is my I’d-love-to-write-you-an-essay-but-I-just-don’t-have-one-right-now essay, because I don’t really have anything to say right now.
What’s going on in your life? Where are you at this moment in your life?"
At this moment, I'm just reading between your 'don't-have-one-right-now-essay,' lines. And that's just fine, thank you very much.
(Suggested reading for my comment: To be be read as if it was written without any snark added. None. Nada. Zip. The Big Goose Egg of lack of snark.)
I just started my own substack. I’m a retired sex worker of 20 years and have an online esoteric academy for women called The Lilith Academy. I am a cultural critic, independent journalist, performance artist and witch. This esoteric work is what keeps me going and rooted in reality and love.
I really would love to read more on what you wanna say about nature. 🌱💚
I went to a picture show today;
the first I’ve seen in a year.
I went to see Bob Dylan play
and thought I’d shed a few tears:
tears for the troubadour, tears for the times,
tears for the innocence held
deep in my heart and still fixed in my mind
for that long-lost experiment’s spell.
The popcorn was twenty dollars for two,
and the previews made me feel scared.
For that halcyon world that I once knew
has vanished into thin air.
Dystopian violence has taken its place.
They’re selling color…, a look;
no heroes, vision, or moments of grace.
You’re better off reading a book.
Truth is… the flowers have all gone away;
they followed the piper’s tune.
And the burghers don’t know whom to pay
to make those children return…
return for the hard rain, return for the wind,
return for the changing times
and the rolling stone that, to our chagrin,
brought a message we still can’t deny.
Picture perfect! That’s what they say.
Picture perfect for Hollywood.
Picture perfect! Recline away,
and hope the hot popcorn is good.
That’s the life of a writer- it’s not only the ability to string words together but the constant struggle to find ideas that are worth writing about. I liken it to trying to figure out what’s for dinner every night- sometimes it’s gourmet, others it’s toast and peanut butter. Enjoy your toast day.
I just got my 3 year substitute teaching credentials and my first gig was subbing as an art teacher which is what my degree is in. Life is so beautiful
I am about 2 weeks from becoming a grandparent.
Though I find current events interesting and the how the media editorializes the world through a political lense. The Associated Press is attacked for their unique editorial guidelines but at least they are honest.
Calling the Tesla situation a boycott is absurd. I am not sure how a boycott includes terrorizing owners. Calling the pro-Hamas protests on college campuses that terrorize Jewish students and break into buildings simple peaceful exercises of 1st Amendment speech is a stretch.
I am concerned that I have just realized maybe the AP's interesting editorial choices might be the moderate view.
I honestly think there are far too many people clamoring for attention online under the misguided notion that the world is on pins and needles waiting
To hear their opinions. The political climate is exhausting now that the Left has become so demoralized that any sense of decorum let alone intelligent discourse is now considered backwards and “ineffective”… and the current administration with their bellicose, confrontational rhetoric doesn’t help despite my general support for what they’re doing. Influencers in short skirts sans panties sashaying around luring people to their OF page are now about as significant these days as “political”influencers, especially now that many are simply paid shills and many of them chase every outrage for clickbait. I’m worn out. This isn’t a life. We’ve lost what that is.
Justine, thank you for being authentic with choosing quality over quantity, and being open to sharing that with us here. I also want to acknowledge that as a genuinely bold move which falls outside the normal ‘content creation’ mentality. Additionally, as an aspiring writer I absolutely resonate with wanting to choose when to dive into your topics, and balancing that along with your inner well being. And not that you need this from me, but I dig ALL of those topic ideas you shared with us. :)
I understand you completely, Justine. Life can be recorded in one's mind. We recently spent three weeks traveling through Florida, attending sporting events, and visiting beautiful sites. No pictures taken--none needed. God gives us the ability to have memories. It's liberating.
Nuna palabra!