39 Comments
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Jess's avatar

Always my favorite Sunday email❤️❤️❤️

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! That is the best compliment.

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Meg Wardle's avatar

Shame is the literal worst. I hate it and I really try to avoid using that word when I can. Having said that, I think I've been swimming in a pool (read: ocean) of shame for most of my life. So this hits home for me. Shame isn't really like water though and it won't dry off in the sun. It's sticky and hangs around (maybe it's like slime...?).

For what it's worth, I believe your writing to be so valuable. You are not just 'enough' you are much, much more. I appreciate you and your great mind and your wonderful words. Thank you x

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

You said it exactly. There's no shower in the world that can wash it away. Thank you for this lovely message. I appreciate you, too. x

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Kristin's avatar

I truly look forward to your writing every week and thrilled about the mid week stuff! You are enough. May you be happy, healthy and know peace. Thank you for sharing your work ✨

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much, Kristin. I wish you the same. x

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CN's avatar

Sorry you lost sleep over this ... but it was worth it in insights and thought provoking ... Thank you!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Oh, my brain can lose sleep over all sorts of things! 🙃 But seriously, thank you for this comment. I'm glad my insomnia produced something of worth!

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Jenny's avatar

This was beautiful and your tarot reflection was just what I needed to read. I’m a paid reader, and have been admiring your work since your Cup of Jo days. I love your writing so so much.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much. And thank you for being a paid reader, especially in this first year as I've been finding my way here. It means a lot.

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Hannah Levy's avatar

ohh, the "not good enough-ness" feeling is a very, very familiar feeling. one that's difficult to shake. I can intellectually know I'm doing my best and yet still feel the insidious not-enoughness lurking. I feel very seen by you 💗 and excited for the evolution of your writing and community!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Hannah. I feel very seen by you, as well. Excited for upcoming adventures in community and collaboration — and very grateful for your support!

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Keltie's avatar

The thoughtfulness and the clarity you bring to everything you write is absolutely worth the cost of supporting you to keep doing it. Very happy to be a subscriber! This newsletter is a bright spot on grey Monday mornings.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Very grateful for your support.

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Rebecca's avatar

Thank you so much for this. I've been reading since the start and kept promising to myself that "one day" I would finally support one of my favourite writers, then kept making excuses. No longer. I write and translate as my job and as a freelancer have battled with clients not paying on time or not valuing what I do. Today someone finally paid an overdue invoice, so I decided it was high time I paid my debts too! Sorry it didn't come a year ago, but I am thrilled to have finally clicked subscribe and get even more of your wonderful insightfulness every week.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much for this kind message. No need to apologize, I totally get it. I am completely disorganized when it comes to subscribing/upgrading and pretty much every other digital thing. And as I said, it's 100% on me that I haven't been the most forceful in terms of asking. Thank you for subscribing! It means a lot. I appreciate your support — at any time.

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Kenneth Mills's avatar

Well put. In a sea of content, your voice, a touch, stands out. (I am enjoying the platform, and gently trying to grow a readership, pondering the "good enough" and just how... so your piece resonated on this level too...)

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you. I appreciate your support. And look forward to taking a dive into your publication!

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Kenneth Mills's avatar

Hey, gracias. I'd be honoured!

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Angela's avatar

I subscribed maybe a month ago because I feel like it's a friend sending me an email, so am happy to hear you'll be emailing me more. Shame is a hard one, so good to make it disappear by speaking out loud but it sure kicks up a fuss.

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you! That makes me so happy to hear. I appreciate the support, especially in these early days as I've been finding my footing with paid content/subscriptions. It means a lot.

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Jacey's avatar

You are such a gifted writer. I subscribe to several Substack writers, and yours is the writing I look forward to the most, and click on fastest. I wish you knew how brilliant your writing is. Then again, I understand Imposter Syndrome very well, so I do get how you could query your worth. Anyway, I am very glad you are continuing, and look forward to seeing all your future writing. Thanks for all you have shared so far x

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Jacey. I am very touched to hear that. So grateful that you've been following along and to have your support, in so many ways. (Especially the moral support :) I wouldn't be here without you. x

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Gillian's avatar

Thank you for every newsletter every week. I have signed up and I'm looking forward to seeing your name in my inbox not once, but twice!!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Stacy Chiavaro's avatar

You write the only newsletter I have a paid subscription to because you are, simply, a tremendously talented writer. Thank you for always creating ultra-relatable essays. You are 100% enough. 🙌🏻

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Allison P's avatar

Long time reader and an enthusiastic supporter of your work - your talent is worth whatever you claim! Yay for change! Keep the evolution going - I am excited to see where your passion (driven by joy or shame, preferably joy for your sake) takes us next!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Allison. I deeply appreciate it.

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Jessica Herman Goldman's avatar

Your reflections are a highlight of my week every week, and there's rarely been a letter that I haven't felt inclined to forward to someone in my life who could benefit from your wisdom and perspective. I am delighted you have come clean and have never clicked "upgrade" more quickly. As another writer, I so admire your dedication to this practice and how beautifully you articulate your experience. I'm clearly in great company when I say thank you for sharing with such thought and generosity of heart and mind!

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Jessica. Your words made me cry a little bit (in the best possible way). I'm touched and honored to know you're on the other side of the screen. It makes this experience a lot less lonely and a good deal more exciting! Thanks for being here and from one writer to another, please let me know if I can ever return the favor. ❤️

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Shaan's avatar

I love this newletter and it's the nicest way to start my week. I'm sure plenty of other people have said this but it never hurts to have one more voice saying your work is valued and appreciated and makes my week! It really does feel like a friend checking in :)

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Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Thank you, Shaan. That is the nicest to hear, and I very much appreciate you saying so. ❤️

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