Why I’m joining Substack….
If you're a long-term follower of mine on Instagram, or a Telegraph reader wishing to continue reading my columns, thanks for coming over here. If you've never heard of me before, it's very nice to meet you. Take a seat, pour a glass of something strong, or pop the kettle on, either or, here's a little bit about me...
After years of writing across mainstream media, I'm nervous to do my own thing, over here, on Substack. Having recently filed my final 'Midlife Dating Diaries', a weekly column, which, for the past nineteen months, featured each Saturday in the Telegraph newspaper (and online), now feels like the perfect time to set sail alone. Penning an whole page for a national newspaper each week was nothing short of amazing., What an opportunity. Saying that, there is only so much I have to say on dating and being single at this age (48-years-old), especially when it involves holding back the real truth. The proper nitty gritty of dating in midlife was edited out. Why? For fear of offending readers, it was unpublishable. But by missing out a quite a lot of detail - good detail, bad detail, delicious detail - I was unable to really tell the truth.
Dating is only one of many subjects I enjoy writing about. Bar the big important stuff such as, 'help, I've kept every single (shit) piece of 'art' my kids made since they were twelve months old' to, 'should I admit to the fifteen boxes my ex-husband has no clue I've stored in his attic', I'm fascinated stuff my younger self would have never thought to question. Subjects such as love (and what is it?), good sex, healthy relationships, friendships new and old, how to shop for stylish clothes that will stand the test of time, beauty and what really works. I'll sometimes discuss children, but not often; I don't wish to share their lives without consent. I am, however, very interested in the menopause industry. Another tax on women? Who needs all that crap dished up via algorithms? Miracle powders, oh please go away. As for money and financial planning, that's the important stuff right there. Stuff I’d never before considered, at least not before getting divorced.
Have I missed anything? Oh, wait, yes. Moth control. Actually forget moth control, let's discuss oral sex. Far more satisfying on every level. On a more serious note, an ADHD diagnosis much later on in life has been nothing short of life changing. I am still learning what ADHD for me means, however finally I’ve (sorry to go all “Oprah”) given myself permission to be less self-critical.
Any, the point is, rather than pitch another column idea to another Editor of another mainstream publication, I thought I'd go it alone. Financial madness? Maybe. Putting money - or lack of it - to one side for a moment, if there's one thing I know for sure, it’s I no longer wish to be edited. I want to be free to write truly authentically. I want to be the un-edited version of myself. (Buckle up, everyone).
For the past twenty years or so, I've worked in the fashion industry. After dropping out of art school, where I raved instead of going to class, I somehow blagged an internship at a PR agency in London. I moved to London with nothing knowing no-one and worked my way up from junior Pr at Paul Smith to more senior roles at Giorgio Armani and Prada. Sadly, I was an awful PR. Too gobby, too Scottish, too extra, too truthful? Lol. Yes, far too truthful.
Thankfully, aged thirty-one, recognising one of her own, the then Editor in Chief of ELLE uk hired me as Executive Fashion Editor. I took a 50% pay cut, but felt happier and more ‘me’, which in my mind was worth the reduced salary. Arriving late to work each Monday morning, I'd email my Editor to explain why, on Mondays but perhaps also, Fridays, it would far be better if I could start work around midday. 10am? Who can get to work at 10am when you've been shagging (insert name of DJ) all weekend, had a quick trip to A&E after an unfortunate incident involving a rubber ball, missed a flight home from Ibiza, etc. Thank God she found my full-on ridiculous life so funny. So funny in fact, she gave me a column.
Featuring on the back page of ELLE for six years, ‘Mademoiselle, Confessions of an ELLE Girl', was the story of a single woman living in London (minus the psychotic flatmates) with a penchant for luxury goods she (I) couldn't afford. Mademoiselle became a fashion icon. But the truth is, unlike me, Mademoiselle hadn't attended state school, nor had she spent her early years being brought up by a single parent in Shits-Ville.
Both a writer and a fashion editor, I love an inappropriate over-share. Mine, mostly, but yours too, if you're up for it? That's why I joined Substack; to create a community, a safe-space where we can shoot the shit and talk honestly about EVERYTHING. I'm a divorced single parent to two kids under twelve, I've just bought my first house since separating from my ex-husband three years ago. I've lived in three rentals in the run up to buying the house and, I won't lie, I've been to hell and back.
So, that's it. Here goes then, right? Can't wait to hear from you all.
Stacey x
PS: Something to note before I carry on, I don't have a sub-editor and my punctuation will drive you a bit mad sometimes. Let's blame it on my ADHD and the fact I don't have the budget for a sub-editor. Is there even a hyphen between sub and editor?
PPS: How is this going to work? Okay, you better read on…
FREE SUBSCRIBERS
If you fancy getting my newsletter straight into your inbox every week then being a free subscriber is for you. Just bang on the green button below or at the top of this page and enter your email. Easy!
PAID SUBSCRIBERS
So this is for those if you who want to really support me as I go it alone. Your support means the world at this point in my career. But if you don’t really care about that, here’s what else you get:
A weekly video from me. Could be about plants! Interiors! Fashion! Who knows? I don’t…yet
Access to my monthly Ask Me Anything series where you can ask me, well anything
Access to my Private Chats. You need the Substack app for this btw. But it’s basically Whats app for me and you. Glorious!
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Finally for some of you a founding membership might be the thing. There are a limited number of these but they basically mean you get invited down the pub with me AND get a 45-minute virtual coffee with me too. There will be other cool stuff that will be exclusive to you too- I just don’t know what that is yet. Oh and you have my eternal gratitude. Seriously. A founding membership now really helps me spend as much time as possible ensuring this is as great as it can be. Hit below and choose founding membership.
Finally THANK YOU for being here.
