What is Self Love Confidential, anyway?

Started with a hashtag in 2017 -- now we're here.

A wise person (Fabienne Fredrickson) once said, “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit,” and never have I felt that more than when I reflect upon the origin of this newsletter.

After starting my self love movement Fred and Far in 2016, I immediately realized that the most powerful part of what I was doing with the Self Love Pinky Ring wasn’t the ring: it was the women joining my movement, and their stories. Although I was sharing stories on my website and on social media, it felt somewhat one-dimensional. I would collect the stories and share them, but there wasn’t much conversation happening outside of some powerful comments here and there.

In 2017, I sought to remedy that by launching a private Facebook Group. What did I call it? Self Love Confidential. I chose the title because I wanted people to feel like they could be fully themselves in the group, a safe, welcoming space devoted to exploring self love. Confidential felt private, and also somehow dangerous and sexy. The word made me want to share deep, honest truths and even secrets — and together we did. The challenge was regularly connecting with my community members. We were confined to Facebook, a platform not everyone uses, and it wasn’t an ideal space for long-form content or interactive conversations. I kept up with it for some time, and then life pulled me in another direction: my poetry.

The very first time I used the #selfloveconfidential hashtag was in the summer of 2017, this time on a short poem I had written and posted on the Fred and Far Instagram account. Little did I know at that time, that this little Instagram poem (and 199 others) would become Self Love Poetry: For Thinkers & Feelers, the book that eventually got me the book deal I’ve wanted my entire life, and allowed me to pivot into the career most aligned with my most authentic self: the Self Love Philosopher (my self-coined moniker that encompasses my work as a poet, author and speaker).

Why am I sharing this backstory? Because the seed I planted in 2017, when I first dreamt up Self Love Confidential, is finally coming to fruition here, in the form of a Substack newsletter and private community that is a blend of both my work as founder of Fred and Far and as the Self Love Philosopher.

When you become a paid subscriber (which is the only way to access full posts and my community) here is what you’ll get:

Poetry Oracle of the Week: A poem (or pair of poems) to set the tone for your week as well as the inspiration behind the poems and how to apply them in your life. Here, you’ll be the first to experience new poems as I write them, in addition to getting the best of my poetry from Self Love Poetry and The Shift.

Melody’s Weekly Confession: A weekly newsletter (like this one) where I share vulnerable reflections through the lens of self love. As a mom of three, wife, friend, poet and human, expect these confessions to cover the full spectrum, and hopefully inspire you to discover and share more about your authentic self as well.

Friday Feelings Threads: A weekly conversation you can join every Friday where we talk about what’s going on with us, provide each other resources and support, and reflect on the week’s themes. This is a private pace for paid subscribers, only. You’ll also have the ability to ask me questions that you want me to pose to the community on your behalf.

Monthly ABCs Interview Series: Each month I’ll dive deep into a letter from my book The ABCs of Self Love (starting with Authenticity in May, my birthday month). I’ll interview a thought leader, share resources and recommendations and give you tools for bringing your self love to life through concrete actions.

While launching Self Love Confidential in this format feels like a big “fruit” day, I recognize that this too is a seed. I can’t wait to water it with you, and see where we grow together. Thank you for making my commitment to sharing self love with the world possible through your monthly ($6) or annual ($60) subscription. If you want to take your support to the next level, please consider becoming a Founding Member of Self Love Confidential ($180). You’ll receive a signed copy of The ABCs of Self Love, a special gift, access to private Q&As with me, and my endless and eternal gratitude.

Subscribe between now and April 18th and you’ll get 20% off for one year!

Not ready tocome a paid subscriber but still want to support my work? Share Self Love Confidential with your favorite people.