Why Substack? And...Soft Things???

I used to call it my midlife career-baby crisis--but I feel chill about it now

I love a deep dive into research. And I love making comics about what I learn. I love teaching and learning. For me, making comics about research deep dives feels like another way to learn and teach.

You might be wondering…wtf are soft things, Cara?

These are soft things. We need soft things! Let’s talk about soft things.

First, a definition.

What are soft things? Soft things are not easily defined—and defined is such a hard word. After all, what are definitions but rules waiting to be broken?

So I offer you this. The beginning of a taxonomy. In no particular order, with no pretense of completion. A list, because lists help with hard things.

A collection of more soft things, which may or may not be things at all. Maybe your soft things are different from my soft things. That’s okay. Some soft things may not be things at all.

You might be wondering…

“Exploring questions? Doing research?”

How is that a soft thing?!

Allow me to explain.

For me, research is expansive. When I’m struggling with a problem on my own, I sometimes feel alone. But research brings me to “everyone feels this way sometimes.” Research makes it manifest that I’m not just a sample size of 1. Research offers evidence. Research offers community and a sense of belonging. Research is validating.

And that, friend, is why research is a soft thing for me.

I’ll see you next time—when I deep-dive into research about unjustified shame. Unjustified shame is not a soft thing—but my compassion and curiosity through healing it is so very soft.

Do you have a career baby? Tell me in the comments :)

I leave you with Air. I think this song is so soothing. Lyrics here.