There is a season for everything. As I watch the withering freesia on my windowsill and wonder why it lacks perfume – it’s simply not its season to blossom, I know – I accept the confirmation that the timing of this letter is right.
Storisse has come full circle.
I started the platform a few years ago, hoping to encourage you and I to explore and appreciate more those stories of our mundane. At the time, I had the vision of connecting each story with a charitable endeavour which made a difference in the subject area of the story. This was fulfilling, but extremely time-consuming, as I was working with the charities directly and vetting them for my audience. (If you scroll down far enough on this website, you may still find those stories and charities)
Storisse became a platform for us all to tell our stories. #mybeautifulstories remains in the archives of Instagram as a place where most of those stories were collected.
Then at the end of 2019, I ventured on another path – My Beautiful Stories, the podcast.
After a first, personal, series, the podcast moved on to the Planet series, which supported the Planet Project and, swiftly after, Series 3 – Stories of 2020. This latter (here’s one of the episodes) is the series that is probably closest to my heart. The stories you chose to share, from one of the most difficult years we have all collectively experienced, touched many hearts. During that series, the podcast reached 10,000 listens and received the most touching reviews. It is of great comfort to know that the podcast touched so many of you, that it kept you company in the darkest hour and brought some resolution. Many of you have asked if this particular series could be turned into a book. Although I am not making any promises, it is my personal resolution to try and make this happen over the next few months (or year?).
Series 4 (here’s a recent episode) was where we celebrated those things we linked to memory and people. To me, the series was essentially about love and the wondrous ways that past, present and future can collide.
That series too has benefitted from such wonderful reviews. Here’s one: ‘Such a meaningful unassuming podcast. I love the latest season – stories told through meaningful objects is such a beautiful route to talk about the magic in the mundane! Thank you for your unique storytelling concept! (Yara, from Story Has It)
That series too has reached its end, recently. Again, I am planning to celebrate this series in some way, and please do let me know, if you have been a contributor to this series, if you would like me to keep in touch with what comes of it!
It is now time to take stock.
In order to move forward, Storisse and My Beautiful Stories must take on yet another metamorphosis. What it is, and whether I can find the resources to make it happen, I do not yet know.
In the meanwhile, I have decided to keep all podcast episodes free to listen to, as well as keep the website up. This is at a cost to me, but I thought it important for all those stories to keep existing in the world.
This is not a goodbye, it’s thank you. Thank you to every single listener, reviewer and supporter. You have made this happen. Thank you for sharing your stories and thus opening up a door to your own life, sorrow and capacity to love.
I will not be producing new podcast episodes and it is for this reason that I have decided to close the payment feature on the ko-fi account . I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has chosen to financially support the podcast during this time. You have made it happen! You have also helped sustain me emotionally, as there is no greater reward than knowing that what one does has an impact and is valued.
This is not a goodbye, it’s thank you. Thank you to every single listener, reviewer and supporter. You have made this happen. Thank you for sharing your stories and thus opening up a door to your own life, sorrow and capacity to love.
In your day to day life, please try to remember the magic we created here. Please try to remember the genuine relationships and feelings we have shared. The magic of collective work of the Planet Project. The magic of love – collected.
Until next time,
Alex and Pawel
How will we keep in touch? In the coming months, I will send occasional updates through the newsletter and on here. When there is a main change, I will make sure to update Instagram as well.