Attempts at Optimism by Emma Vivian | Substack

Letter from a fellow optimist: Jeannie Ewing on responding to the moment you find yourself in

Hi fellow optimist-in-progress,

Jun 22 •

and

Attempt at remembering without unravelling

On returning to Brighton, and all the ghosts that live there

Jun 15 •

Optimist vs bad news

What happens when life throws a plot twist at your best efforts to hope.

Jun 7 •

Tools for the optimist-ish: May edition

May edition: A few things that made me happy this month

Jun 1 •

This month in trying: May edition

Libraries, coyotes and margaritas

May 25 •

Tools for the optimist(ish)

Tools for the optimist-ish: June edition

This month is sponsored by flowers. Plus, I hiked a section of the South West Coast Path!

19 hrs ago •

Tools for the optimist-ish: May edition

May edition: A few things that made me happy this month

Jun 1 •

Tools for the optimist-ish: March edition

Flying snakes, wine tasting and pink blossoms

Mar 23 •

Tools for the optimist-ish: February edition

Big Magic, carrot soup and free pickleballs

Feb 9 •

Optimist vs

Optimist vs bad news

What happens when life throws a plot twist at your best efforts to hope.

Jun 7 •

Optimist vs the frenemy: what The White Lotus taught me about female friendship

Fake acceptance, oozing judgement, and the deadly sting of the frenemy.

May 4 •

Optimist vs Airbnb management

Lessons learned: always photograph the towels, never trust the cancellation policy, and be sure to bring your own bleach.

Apr 27 •

Optimist vs overpriced urine

Cautious hope and an incalculable cost-per-piss.

Apr 6 •

Attempt at

Attempt at remembering without unravelling

On returning to Brighton, and all the ghosts that live there

Jun 15 •

Attempt at finding a home (after 8 months living in Airbnbs)

Storage units, kitchen appliances, and groundless roots

Apr 20 •

Attempt at being an interesting person

(Spoiler: Just do stuff)

Apr 13 •

Attempt to act normal at a writers' conference

I went to 2025 AWP, and all I got was mildly empowered. (I also got a cute tote bag.)

Mar 30 •

Cancer

START HERE: I’m not really an optimist

Why I'm attempting a fresh start (and my unlikely journey into hope)

May 11 •

I tried to make my chemo port into a Christmas ornament

It was a bad idea (too much blood)

Feb 16 •

Puberty 2.0: Getting My Hormones Back After Breast Cancer

Almost six years on from being diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, I'm finally getting my hormones back.

Oct 23, 2024 •

Chemo Made My Hair Fall Out. Being Told It Would Grow Back Didn’t Help Me.

At age 29, I lost most of my hair while in treatment for aggressive breast cancer. Over five years later, and now in remission, I'm reflecting on the…

Oct 15, 2024 •

56:18

What is your Substack even about? And do you like it?

A recording from Emma Vivian and Sarah Fay - SW@W's live video

May 12 •

,

, and

Optimist vs the frenemy: what The White Lotus taught me about female friendship

Fake acceptance, oozing judgement, and the deadly sting of the frenemy.

May 4 •

Optimist vs Airbnb management

Lessons learned: always photograph the towels, never trust the cancellation policy, and be sure to bring your own bleach.

Apr 27 •

Attempt at finding a home (after 8 months living in Airbnbs)

Storage units, kitchen appliances, and groundless roots

Apr 20 •

Attempt at being an interesting person

(Spoiler: Just do stuff)

Apr 13 •

Optimist vs overpriced urine

Cautious hope and an incalculable cost-per-piss.

Apr 6 •

Attempt to act normal at a writers' conference

I went to 2025 AWP, and all I got was mildly empowered. (I also got a cute tote bag.)

Mar 30 •

Tools for the optimist-ish: March edition

Flying snakes, wine tasting and pink blossoms

Mar 23 •

Thanks for being here!

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