"To live or die based on the unpredictable, inscrutable machinations of your own mind—it makes the highs higher, and the lows more damning—that is what makes creative work terrifying and exhilarating like nothing else."
This is the way. Congrats on making the leap in 2025. Cheers to 2026!
Jasmine, this was so wonderful to read—an accelerated tour of all your GREATEST HITS in 2025, plus your experiences with the labor of writing…the interviewing, the patient arranging and rearranging of ideas in a Google Doc.
I love your writing and instantly read whatever shows up in my inbox. You have a really rare mix of internet-fluent humor and quotable zingers, without sacrificing the subjective depth that even the most ridiculous SV/tech trends reveal about society. I feel extremely lucky we are friends; I’m constantly invigorated by the work you do and how clearly you think!!! Have a wonderful 2026.
You must have really enjoyed constructing: ‘the ultimate goal is “voice,” that elusive essence from within, the sound of a pellucid inner monologue unencumbered by social mores.’
Wonderful reflections! Congratulations on the year.
Seeing Cool Gray City of Love in the picture made me happy. And somehow I have never thought of moving the Notes app to the foremost position; I did that and am excited about it
What you're talking about is being a specific type of writer: a journalist. I did that back in the 2000s, and I know what interviewing feels like. Unless the person is a jerk, it's hard not to like them and it can be one of the traps, making you pull your blows.
Many other types of writing are much less social. These days I rarely interview people, I do my research other ways. And fiction writing is, in some ways, very different.
Glad you're enjoying it and making a go of it. To me the best parts are being able to indulge my curiosity and controlling my own hours. It's nice to not have a boss.
"I felt a bit bad for making this post all personal writing meta" – Are you kidding me?!! That was the best part! This post was so poetic, a very different style from what I'm used to expecting. Would love to see more of this. Some of the paragraphs in between about living the writerly life really hit home. So I guess this means there's more to look forward to in 2026. Yay!
P.S. What's IABED? Googled it but couldn't find it.
I didn’t expect you to have felt imposter syndrome, I guess it truly affects all of us. Many writers toil away for years and don’t have the same degree of audience or opportunities you’ve had this year. You’ve clearly carved out a niche that many people find valuable, including me. Looking forward to your work in the new year!
"To live or die based on the unpredictable, inscrutable machinations of your own mind—it makes the highs higher, and the lows more damning—that is what makes creative work terrifying and exhilarating like nothing else."
This is the way. Congrats on making the leap in 2025. Cheers to 2026!
Jasmine, this was so wonderful to read—an accelerated tour of all your GREATEST HITS in 2025, plus your experiences with the labor of writing…the interviewing, the patient arranging and rearranging of ideas in a Google Doc.
I love your writing and instantly read whatever shows up in my inbox. You have a really rare mix of internet-fluent humor and quotable zingers, without sacrificing the subjective depth that even the most ridiculous SV/tech trends reveal about society. I feel extremely lucky we are friends; I’m constantly invigorated by the work you do and how clearly you think!!! Have a wonderful 2026.
Jasmine: very best wishes for the new year and I look forward to reading more of your work. Geremie
You must have really enjoyed constructing: ‘the ultimate goal is “voice,” that elusive essence from within, the sound of a pellucid inner monologue unencumbered by social mores.’
congrats jasmine!!! so impressed by you
I will be forwarding this to younger people in my life for years. Thanks
Also, this line: I think writing really does remind me how much of a black box my own brain is.
Wonderful reflections! Congratulations on the year.
Seeing Cool Gray City of Love in the picture made me happy. And somehow I have never thought of moving the Notes app to the foremost position; I did that and am excited about it
What a great year, congrats Jasmine, it was fun to read/watch!!!!!!
Banger
Good article.
What you're talking about is being a specific type of writer: a journalist. I did that back in the 2000s, and I know what interviewing feels like. Unless the person is a jerk, it's hard not to like them and it can be one of the traps, making you pull your blows.
Many other types of writing are much less social. These days I rarely interview people, I do my research other ways. And fiction writing is, in some ways, very different.
Glad you're enjoying it and making a go of it. To me the best parts are being able to indulge my curiosity and controlling my own hours. It's nice to not have a boss.
Congrats, Jasmine! Sounds like an amazing year. Love the way you describe becoming a writer and how it changes how you interact with the world.
"I felt a bit bad for making this post all personal writing meta" – Are you kidding me?!! That was the best part! This post was so poetic, a very different style from what I'm used to expecting. Would love to see more of this. Some of the paragraphs in between about living the writerly life really hit home. So I guess this means there's more to look forward to in 2026. Yay!
P.S. What's IABED? Googled it but couldn't find it.
Congrats! Keep resisting the quick takes and keep wearing your anthropology hat in Silicon Valley!
Bring free to express my creativity
This substack is my greatest find of 2025 💛 thank you jasmine!
I didn’t expect you to have felt imposter syndrome, I guess it truly affects all of us. Many writers toil away for years and don’t have the same degree of audience or opportunities you’ve had this year. You’ve clearly carved out a niche that many people find valuable, including me. Looking forward to your work in the new year!