🗞️ Another Newsletter? Why Now?
An uncharacteristically busy time has led me here
⏳ As Told By Zaida’s Origin Story
For those who don’t know, back in 2023 I started my blog, As Told By Zaida. It was all about pop culture: books, movies, TV shows, and music. I created a newsletter with the same name to help share new posts and engage with my readers. Well, the engagement never quite worked out and eventually the new posts stopped by May 2024.
It wasn’t a great time for me. Shit hit the fan from all directions, tenfold, and I had no energy to continue with the blog or newsletter.
But I really enjoyed it. So I wrote it on my Goals List this year to work on bringing it back.
🎬 Newsletter: Take Two
After a few friends have asked that I keep them updated on what I’ve been up to, I figured having a dedicated space to share might be the best option for now.
This time around, I want to focus on my creative journey. Whether that’s reflecting on past theatre experiences, detailing my current scrapbooking project, or planning ahead as I continue to learn how to tap dance.
Of course, I can’t help but include some of the things I’m watching, listening to, or reading, so I’d like to continue to share that too.
⏰ It Alls Comes Down to Timing
For the better part of a decade, I haven’t been involved in any performing arts. I took up more crafts and starting writing fiction manuscripts. But since moving from Idaho to Oregon in 2021, I haven’t prioritized creative projects at all.
I’m determined to rectify that.
In the last year I’ve slowly reentered the world of creativity:
I started taking tap dance for the first time in May 2024, then got back into Jazz in October.
I’ve pulled out my most recent fiction manuscript and continued with my revision.
My daily journal has evolved into a part journal, part scrapbooking project that helps me be creative but also reflect on my day-to-day life.
I bought a used Pentax ME Super and am teaching myself how to use a manual 35mm film camera again.
Recently I participated in my first staged reading, the first theatrical project I’ve done since 2014!
Basically, I’m trying to reconnect with my creative side in whatever way that looks like. I want to keep the momentum going, so I figured I might as well give my newsletter a try, again.