Fare thee well

Hello hello dear ones…

It is December 29, 2025 and I’ve come to bid you adieu.

Perhaps for just a few months, maybe for years, I’m not sure.

As I work out my 2026 goals and intentions, I realize that I simply must make sure my expenditure of time equals a quality return. Unfortunately, writing here on Substack is just not cutting it. I really thought I could make a good go of it here. But it’s been nearly two years now, and the amount of income garnered in that time means working for pennies. Okay, maybe quarters. But not that many quarters per hour…

I’m unsure if this is only a season. Perhaps in a year, I’ll have amassed new writings, new perspectives and thoughts I want to share with you. Maybe in a handful of years I’ll have that piece of land where I can host herbal gatherings—and then I’ll want to share dates of workshops and such…thing is, I’ve got to make the money to buy that land…

This decision comes in tandem of letting go of viewing social media (Facebook and Instagram) for at least a month, maybe more. I’m tired of being influenced. Tired of other people’s opinions about things. I’m tired of wasting away snippets of time that become chunks. I want more. I want to keep learning to knit. I want to read more of those herbal books on the bookshelves, cover to cover. In person connection, please. Tangible creations. I’m annoyed with AI graphics, I’m annoyed that AI keeps creeping closer to my reality. Irritated by people’s inability to tell real from AI fake. Scared that one day I won’t be able to either… I want to escape being on the computer so much. I want to exercise and craft a stronger body. I’m tired of trying to write so people want to read more. Maybe I’m not even a writer? That’s okay. I can still grow one heck of a garden.

Billing for paid subscribers will be paused, indefinitely. If I do return to writing here, I’ll send another email before un-pausing so you’re not surprised.

I’d like to offer up free access to Haven Making for anyone who has recently paid for a year-long subscription (looking at you Denise! I’ll reach out.) and feels like they’re not getting their money’s worth—shoot me an email.

I’ve also decided to close down the website (archaicjoy.com where Haven Making lives) come its renewal in February. It was a labor of love for so long. However, now that I’m not selling products (and doubt I ever will at such volume again), it truly is an ego stroking money-suck. Godspeed.

I’ll leave the current essays up as is, so if you’ve paid, you should still be able to access the locked ones. And of course, the free essays are always available.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL your kind words and beautiful support over the years.

It feels freeing to type this out, it’s been heavy on my heart for months now.

Much love. Wishing you all the best this coming year.

Blooms & Blessings,

Emily