collected good reads and things 003
on loneliness, symbolism in storytelling and clay pot rice
The last few weeks have been all about rest, revelation, long walks, prayer and good television. This past week, I had to release all the plans I made for this month in order to align with the needs of my body. I also had this revelation about how important it will be to change my relationship with food. It can no longer be a source of comfort as much as it is a source of joy. There is history in that revelation, I think I’ll share more on it soon.
* collected good reads.
Five weeks into my new job and I am settling in, getting back to my Substack discovery rituals and expanding the type of publications I read. I love this platform so much. There are so many people with so many perspectives and reflections and thoughts, it pours into me and deeply expands the way I see my art.
Here are a few things I’ve read in the last three weeks that have made me feel things.
1. Hello, I’m Lonely
In my journal and in my conversation with my partner, I talk a lot about loneliness. In grieving my mother and old friendships, in moving back to Georgia after two years of being away, I am lonely. This piece by
sees me.2. Fixing Our Fear of The Dark
This was the first piece I read from
and I’ve been tuned in since. It turned up randomly on my feed and I’m so glad it did. His depiction on grief and fear affirmed my current experience with grieving my mother, who I am estranged from. This was a hug.3. What the Artists and the Birds Know
I love
‘s illustrated essays and this one is a much needed, precise reflection of the times we are living in.4. Symbolism in Storytelling: Building Emotional Depth and Thematic Unity
I loved this piece on craft on Writers.com so much that I had to share it. It encouraged me to think deeper about the symbolism I experience in the fiction I read.
5. We’re building a cooperative media ecosystem
This stack by
was exciting in that it introduced me to new ways of thinking about the way media can be packaged. She is brilliant and this was a thoughtful and informative deep dive.6. Maybe I could know you
The way this piece by
took me to another world and warmed my heart and energized me and made me think and made me feel and inspired the way I will depict some experiences in my next book - whew. You’ll want to be cozy and super present to absorb this one.* collected good things.
Not shared here, but I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube shorts too. My algorithm is mostly baking videos and I am obsessed. I’m excited to try to make pasta out of avocado and oat flour.
If you’re a Survivor fan:
I started watching Survivor during the pandemic. I binged so many seasons and I have been in love ever since. Season 48 premiered this week and here’s a behind the scenes peak. Watching this show live and then going on Threads to read the comments is one of my favorite things.
If you enjoy short thoughtful documentaries:
“This is Culinary Futurism. Filmmaker Dustin Nakao-Haider follows Chicago-based chef Ethan Lim as he creates vibrant dishes inspired by the rich, complex history of Cambodia. Drawing on his family’s culinary legacy of over half a century, Lim’s award-winning cooking imagines how Cambodian cuisine might have evolved had the civil war not paused its growth.”
If you live with anxiety:
Although I’ve had anxiety most of my life, it is in the recent years that I’ve realized how much anxiety I have and how impactful it has been to the state of my gut health. Videos like this help when therapy and journaling and walks are not enough.
If you like learning about specific cultural dishes:
This show is one of my latest obsessions. I am savoring each video in the Street Eats playlist. It’s so informative, taking us in the kitchens and thought processes behind these dishes. I don’t want it to be over!
“Professional chef Lucas Sin visits Hing Kee, a legendary Hong Kong street food outpost serving crispy clay pot rice for the past 43 years. Go behind the scenes and into the kitchen where master chef Chan Kwok Fai prepares 20 orders at once, keeping the flames high and the fresh ingredients flowing. Then, sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor as Lucas breaks down the remarkable aromas, flavors, and consistency you can only find with clay pot rice.”
If you enjoy unique culinary experiences:
I would like a seat at this table.
“Hudson Table is a multi-purpose culinary studio whose locations give diners an experience unlike any other. The studio offers cooking classes, catering and private event hosting. Its most popular event is a cooking competition where two chefs face off — and diners vote on the winner.”
About Meet Me In The Deep
My name is Diamonde Williamson and I am a Writer, Illustrator and Artist.
Meet Me In The Deep is an invitation into my world through art and words. Much of my art today deals with healing the inner child I abandoned to protect my mother. After going no contact with my mother in 2023, I was led back to writing and illustration as forms of healing and I am so thankful for it.
Deep Feelers Club is a creative arts company centering art, publishing, community and product as a mean to vulnerably and purposefully reflect humanity. Through books, illustration and community events, we tell stories and create space for others to share theirs.
My book Deeply Personal: Notes from Facing My Mother Wound is a book featuring a series of memoiric notes that document one of the most painful, transformational and honest times in my life: the moment I faced my mother wound.
I enjoyed reading this list and am glad you enjoyed my post! Thank you for sharing!