The Big Questions.

Published: Mon, 10/12/15

There is something about embarking on a road trip through open plains and rugged mountains that compels me to contemplate... The Big Questions.

You know the ones. "Who am I?" "What is life about?" "What's the contribution that God / Universe / Higher Power wants me to make?" "Why do I break promises to myself (and others) and how can I learn to do better?" and so on.

Also... "Should I grow out my bangs? I think my forehead is pretty nice, but who can say??"

And so forth.

The past few weeks have been filled with Big Questions and I've been trying to write my way through the confusion and into clarity. (As Joan Didion says, “I don't know what I think until I write it down.” Same here.)

So today's newsletter is devoted to... Questions.

Big questions. Little questions. Idea-sparking questions. Timeless questions. Questions for first dates. Questions for dinner table conversations. And (occasionally, when appropriate) my smidgens of advice and personal answers to questions from... you.

Peruse at your leisure.

Here we go...

- If you feel anxious that nobody will buy a ticket to your event / nobody will show up at your dinner gathering / nobody will care about your new book / etc... read this [brand new post]: Will anyone come to my party?

- If you feel like there's "something else" you are meant to be doing with your life / career, except you don't know what it is... read this [brand new post]: What if your job didn't exist?

- If you experience "Fear of Missing Out" and you tend to say "Yes!" to far too many requests and opportunities... read this: Fear Choice vs. Love Choice. Which will you choose?

- If you are wondering, "Why don't I finish things that I've started, especially when it comes to creative projects / writing projects?"... read this: 7 beautiful, meaningful writing projects that you can finish in a single day.

- If you are wondering, "Is it really possible to be a professional writer and, you know, make MONEY doing it?"... read this: 50+ ways to make money as a writer.

- If you have a BIG dream—so big that it feels overwhelming and pretty much impossible—and you don't know how to move forward... read this: Start with one room.

- If people are persistently asking you to do things that you don't want to do and you are wondering, "How can I say NO?"... read this: How to politely say “no” to a ridiculous, unreasonable request.

- If you are looking for a list of questions to get people talking and telling stories around the dinner table... read this: 100 questions to spark conversation & connection.

- If you are wondering, "How can I write better emails that people actually look forward to reading?"... read this.

- If you are wondering, "Actually, how can I just get FEWER emails so I don't have to respond to so many?"... read this.

- If you are thinking, "I could read email tips all day long! Where can I find more?"... please don't read email tips all day long because your eyes will start to hurt, however... you might enjoy this.

- If you are going on a date with a potential romantic love-interest (or a new friend!) and you don't know what to ask or talk about... read this: 10 of my favorite first date questions.

- If you often compare yourself to other people and wind up feeling "worthless"... read this: What are you capable of giving?

- Lost? Confused? Directionless? Can't remember who you are, what you love, or what makes you special?... read this: 7 questions to ask yourself when you're not sure who you're becoming.

- If you like Q&A-style writing, you might enjoy my advice column, Good Question. (Side note: Got a question for me? About writing, communication, creativity, or just "life" in general? Feel free to email your question to alexandra@alexandrafranzen.com and kindly put "Good Question" in your Subject line. Be sure to let me know if you'd like to be "Anonymous" or if I can use your real name. If I answer your question in an upcoming column, I will email you to let you know. Thank you. I love questions!)

- If you are wondering, "Why did I subscribe to this newsletter? My inbox is so cluttered. Ugh."... check out Unroll.me, which could be the answer to your prayers.

- Last but not least... if you have been wondering, "Who designed Alex's website? It's so simple and delightful!" the answer is... a man named Paul Jarvis. He is terrific and I could not recommend him more highly.

. . .

And... I reckon that's plenty of questions for today. Phew!

I am wishing you a peaceful week filled with good ideas, good work, and hopefully... clear answers to some questions that have been weighing heavily on your heart.

xo.

-Alex

PS. Several of you have mentioned to me, "I love your music recommendations!" Why thank you! Here's what I've been listening to lately: Caveman. Yotto. The latest from Selena Gomez. The "Discover Weekly" playlist on Spotify, which changes often. And... the soundtrack for the TV show Nashville. (I go through many musical obsessions, but my heart always returns to... country.) Happy listening!