Ch... Ch... Ch... Changes
“Ch… Ch… Ch… Changes” is the name of a “Dawson’s Creek” episode.
It’s also the subject of this post.
Currently, my posting schedule for TDW looks something like this:
Monday: “9021OMG” Reaction Post
Tuesday: “Teen Drama Links,” “Welcome to the O.C.” Bitches Reaction Post
Wednesday: “Drama Queens” Reaction Post
Thursday: “Gossip Girl” Spinoff Reaction Post
Plus: Occasional Additional Free and / or Premium Posts, Quarterly Events
Going forward, starting today, the schedule is going to be something like this:
Tuesday: “Teen Drama Links”
Thursday: “Gossip Girl” Spinoff Reaction Post
Plus: Occasional Additional Free and / or Premium Posts, Quarterly Events
Yes… I’m eliminating the podcast reaction posts.
When I restarted TDW last October, none of these podcasts existed. And when I took on writing reactions to “9021OMG,” I didn’t know “Welcome to the O.C., Bitches” was coming. And when I took on writing reactions to “Welcome to the O.C., Bitches,” I didn’t know “Drama Queens” was coming.
As I’ve asked before, how many rewatch podcasts can one TeenDramaWhore take?!
Sure, it’s quite easy to listen to three podcasts per week. But I’ve been putting an inordinate amount of pressure on myself to listen, take extensive notes, give my opinions, and do it all in a timely manner while maintaining a full-time job and freelance commitments.
It’s been in the back of my head for a while that this schedule isn’t sustainable. In recent days, I started to reach my breaking point.
Now it’s time to honor those goals I told you all about back in February — lose 50 pounds, practice self-compassion and giving myself grace, set stronger boundaries.
Well, I’ve lost 29 pounds so far… but I haven’t been practicing self-compassion, giving myself grace, or setting stronger boundaries.
For my health, both physically and mentally, that has to change.
I thought about making these changes on August 1.
For my health, both physically and mentally, the change has to start now.
Today.
“But Shari,” you might say, “how can a TeenDramaWhore like you not listen to podcasts about your favorite teen dramas?!”
It’s a fair question. Not only do I feel like I’m letting you all down, but I feel like I’m not upholding my (admittedly extreme) teen drama fandom.
But I may still listen to “9021OMG,” “Welcome to the OC, Bitches,” and “Drama Queens.” I may even tweet a few overall thoughts here and there. I’m especially eager for “9021OMG” to get to the Brenda-Dylan-Kelly triangle and for “Drama Queens” to hit Brooke-Lucas-Peyton. I just won’t be holding myself to unreasonable standards that greatly disrupt my life.
Trust me, I wish TDW was my full-time job. I wished it back in 2008 and I wish it still today. But until the day that it can be, I have to continue trying to find the balance between embracing my greatest passion and maintaining my well-being.
So, everyone can look forward to my next “Gossip Girl” spinoff reaction post this Thursday and premium TDW subscribers can expect to receive “Teen Drama Links” in their inbox as normal tomorrow. There will be other fun stuff along the way in the weeks and months ahead, including Teen Drama Trivia Night next month.
And my love for the teen dramas, our shared love for the teen dramas, will continue.
Shari, you did SO great, and I think what you worked on for these past few months is something you can be proud of forever. t
he facts, the diligence, the precision, the fun, snark & enthusiam of your recaps - I cannot imagine listening to Tori's & Jennie's (& Sisanie's) podcast, but I've read all your summaries because they were this... super-helpful, fluid, condensed, thoughtful format. you did this. no one else did. thank you so, so much for making this happen. in your spare time.
your expertise is not lost: I know that there are other things I'll read from you, and that the points you made in the recaps are points that you will make in essays, premium content, articles etc.
so many weeks, I've been thinking "Wow, Shari is pouring more knowledge, expertise & enthusiasm in her recaps than the 90210OMG people invested in their product/podcast." be safe, recharge, and be sure that people/readers are very, very thankful for what you did!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️