I wrote about my hormonal crash after I stopped breastfeeding

...and wellness, and grocery stores...A note about some great DV books if you're disenchanted with the current discourse...A little exclusive information for my favorite people...(you!)

Hello kindred spirits,

I am popping on to share a recent essay that just came out with Marie Claire UK—it’s one I have wanted to write for a long time. I mean, Madwoman is literally the deep dive on this, but this essay is a nice teaser and is my true to the dot lived experience of what happened when I stopped breastfeeding my daughter. What I know now is that eight years ago I was far from alone, even if it felt like it. I so wish there had been more out there about post-weaning mood disorder at the time, but am grateful for the few blogs I found where it was discussed, and the mom boards—they kept my head above water. Anyone remember BabyCenter? I lived on that app.

It’s also about my obsession with grocery stores and wanting to find solution in the aisles, something I think we can all relate to.

Please give it a read and let me know if you’ve been there, too, or can relate in some way.

Also, The Week published a list of 6 books I feel explore domestic violence with depth and nuance and accuracy, and do so with boatloads of literary prowess to boot. Check them out!! We need these stories. We really do. There’s more than just the one every one keeps talking about.

Madwoman comes out in one week! ONE WEEK. Barnes and Noble says it “stunned us with a twists-and-turns story of mothers and family, trauma and survival, truth and lies. This is White Oleander for a new generation” (WUT, yes!) and Booklist gave it a sweet star and called it a masterpiece and Oprah Daily said it was brilliant and moving. I can’t wait to hear what you will say.

Today it hit me so hard just how grateful I am to be able to share this work with you all. Every single comment, every single time someone posts the book, I am grateful. It feels like the purest most beautiful thing, to be connected through our words.

Today I did a pre-recording for FANE with the author Ashley Audrain and I wanted to spend the whole time talking about her work—hello, The Push! The Whispers! I think the talk went so well, and I can’t wait to share it. It was a dream to connect with Ashley, who is the most lovely person, generous, kind, and a writer who is always lifting up other writers. What a dream. What’s cool about this event is that it will air on Sept. 3rd and so if I will not be seeing you for the NYC launch that day or on tour in general, you can “attend” this online event! Fane is UK based and you can sign up at that link.

Also, a super exclusive MUYL newsletter readers-only tidbit! I saw today that the cat’s out of the…box…if you will… a few days early—there’s a wee little September spoiler in this broadcast channel.

I have a ton of content coming up that I’m really excited for—some guest substacks, some interviews with the most amazing women, some podcasts I could not love more…And then, once the flurry of all of this calms, I will go back to subscriber only content. Thank you for staying with me as I bring this book into the world and all that entails.

In closing, my publisher made this amazing graphic in honor of Madwoman’s main character Clove. Gotta love her commitment to wellness and a dress that makes you feel like nothing’s wrong.

xo,

C