26 Comments
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alex b.'s avatar

Your random thoughts are great! I feel you on the first one. My family and friends are probably not my target audience and don't share anything art relate on my personal FB page. I don't know if they'll like my paintings or my microfictions but I share them on my other platforms that they can follow.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Because of the algorithm, I rarely share my writing on FB anymore because it barely gets seen anyway. I'm glad you've found your space and community and hope you continue growing and sharing your art with the world!

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Kiana Blake-Chung's avatar

Congratulations!!!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thanks love!

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Tabitha Blair's avatar

Congrats 🎉

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you hun!

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Kaitlyn Elizabeth's avatar

Loved this assortment 🧡 Thank you letting us in.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you for reading!!

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Ashleigh Faulkner's avatar

I have been enjoying making my personal capsule wardrobe. Mine is based strictly on the primary colors because they are my favorite.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

That sounds so fun!! I'm sticking to more neutrals especially since I mostly wear black anyway, it makes it easier to have things that match.

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Ashley Jay's avatar

Love this list! I definitely feel you on #1, I love the when i get those texts/messages as my friends are reading what i wrote and also the encouragement to keep going bc they know someone needs to hear what is being said

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yesss!! Cherish them!!

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GG Renee Hill's avatar

Loving this round up! Super excited about #9 and super happy about #7 🥰

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you GG!!

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Carrington Epperson's avatar

This was a delightful read! Keep shining!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you Carrington!!

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Amara Amaryah's avatar

Congrats!! On the essay acceptance but also in general, this post seems celebratory. And I burst into a smile at you being complimented for your smile and then singing about it!!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you so much!! I couldn't help but bust out in song lol I love receiving compliments about my smile.

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Bits Of The Untold's avatar

I love these. Thank you for sharing. And CONGRATULATIONS on #9!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you so much!!

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Kerala Goodkin's avatar

Gosh, I love this! Some random thoughts on your random thoughts:

1. I'm also grateful that my friends read my work... until I'm catching up with them in person and trying to share stories about my life, and they all say impatiently, "Yeah I know, I know." (Also, my 12-year-old daughter recently told me, "Mom, I found all your stories online!" Uh oh. I knew that day would come, but still was not quite prepared for it.

2. Yes, I've also been going through a difficult season and our society sucks at giving us space. We never really got the space to process Covid, and we have to fight for the space to process our own personal losses and challenges.

3. I've started loving myself so much more since I turned 40. Something about middle age and shedding all the f*cks about what other people think.

4. The reason I don't wear bluetooth earbuds is that I love detangling the always tangled cord of my old-fashioned earphones!

5. My firm belief is that no one needs more than two pair of pants.

Ok, I'll stop now... didn't mean to write a whole post :) Is your essay about motherhood on Substack? I'd love to read it!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Lol I love these Kerala! I appreciate thoughtful and lengthy responses because it encourages dialogue and learning even more about ourselves. I'm hoping that by the time my daughter is old enough to read my work, she's already well-versed in what mommy talks about lol, age-appropriately so of course! Here are my two essays on motherhood, the one I submitted is a rework of both: https://ashvaughn.substack.com/t/motherhood

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Nicole Ditaranto's avatar

Each one brought me a lil dose of joy. I liked the reminder that we can go through seasons with friends. And they can gift you infused honey. Thanks for these 💕

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

I'm so glad to hear this!! Thank you Nicole!

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

I love all of this! Thank you for sharing!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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