what is this newsletter?
a monthly newsletter of brand-new, non-fiction essays exploring consumption, the American desire for lots of sh*t, and a year of buying only 20 nonessential things
Slow living with Aviv
I’m working on a newsletter of (at least) monthly, brand new non-fiction essays i’m writing around consumption, the American desire for lots of shit, and how, starting in dec 2023, i’m going to try to only buy 20 (nonessential, i.e. non-food/water/shelter/medicine) things…for a whole year.
1. i’ve been a little in the closet about this
For the last 11 months, I’ve been privately trying to only buy 40 things and have had a rigorous set of guidelines for when, what, why I can purchase something non-essential. But despite how well you do or do not know me, you probably don’t know this because… I haven’t talked about it, except on Reddit.
2. i want to communally think about stuff, feelings, and slow living *together* with YOU
I’ve been doing tons of thinking about the environment, the comforting idea of the individual carbon footprint = solution to climate change, and how things make us feel, but it’s been happening… mostly on Reddit, which has been lovely, but I crave a more continued deepening of thoughts with people, and I think Substack is the best way to facilitate this!
3. what this newsletter will be like
Right now, all subscriptions are free. There may be a paid option eventually.
I will post at least once a month. I’d like to promise more posts, but I want to focus on quality over quantity and a chance to edit and revise before I share.
What you can expect from slow living:
a voyeuristic level of access to the stuff I buy, and don’t, and why
lil cozy things like recipes, things i make (i’m re-learning how to sew on a machine), and meaningful non-consumptive things in my life
thoughts on books, relevant pop culture, and literature/art i’m consuming
pictures of my friggin amazing rescue dog, Smudge
queer ennui but, also, jokes sometimes
4. i’d love for you to be a voice in this community
Subscribing lets me know you’re reading, and it also lets you voice things you’d like to read more about! Share what you like reading and what you don’t!