welcome to lingerings.
I write stories about my life with hope that you find yourself in them. I'm happy to have you here. <3
Hello, friend! I’m so glad that you’ve found my page and are joining along for the ride. This newsletter will consist of fragments of my life—the name “lingerings” is indicative of what kinds of fragments you’ll find here, which are the moments, memories, thoughts, and feelings that are lingering on my mind and in my body during any given week.
I am a creative nonfiction and personal essay writer who is drawn to writing stories about my life with hope that you find yourself in them. It is my desire that by sharing more openly about my life that you’ll feel less alone and perhaps more inspired to connect with others in this shared human experience.
What does it mean to be human? Why do certain memories linger in our minds? How are we all having such similar yet entirely unique experiences on this floating rock in the middle of a vast galaxy? How is it possible that our lives are just made of accumulated seconds, minutes, years, decisions, until it’s all over? All of these questions are why I love the genre of creative nonfiction and memoir—there’s a universality to being alive despite how individual our lives are.
While I am almost finished with my MA in Nonfiction Writing from John Hopkins University and hope to be publishing more formal and deeply edited essays over the next few years (maybe a memoir of my own one day), this newsletter is not that. These pieces of writing will be more informal ways of exploring topics that come up each week in my life and in the world. They may contain ideas and ponderings that one day become more fleshed-out essays, but they are not meant to be the substantive pieces of writing that you see published in journals and online magazines. It’s like my own journal that I’m opening up to all of you.
I hope you enjoy and relate to what you find in these “pages.” I’m here to be deeply honest, transparent, and me. That last one is important because if you’re anything like me, society and conditioning has dulled your sense of self and you’re trying to relearn who you are, what you love, and why you’re on this planet. I’ve spent years trying to “fit in” and repressing the parts of me that shine so that I don’t accidentally upset anyone or get negative attention. For me, that’s looked like not sharing what’s going on in my life and always pretending that things are “fine.” I’m here to grow and find my authentic expression again. For Little Courtney, that was always accomplished through dance and words. This is my attempt to reconnect with that part of me.
Another layer of this newsletter is to help me find my voice again. I’ve been afraid of speaking for so many years—being heard, being seen, and having the spotlight on me. For each writing that I post, I’ll also be posting an audio version. While this might appeal more to people who prefer podcasts or listening to content over reading, it’s also a way for me to build my confidence using my voice.
Please don’t hesitate to connect with me in this platform—in fact, I would love if you did! Share your own lingerings, challenges, and stories. Over my years of not wanting to be the one talking and sharing, I became a very good listener. If you ever need support, a friend to celebrate your wins, or someone in your corner through difficult times, I’m always happy to be that person. You can also find me on Instagram.
With much love and kindness,
Court.
