Welcome to Field Notes: Exploring Love, Life, and Loss
Find hope, all ye who enter here! Not everything is sinister, Dante.
Scour for any traces of hope—do not dare abandon it, all ye who enter here!
Welcome to my newsletter, “Field Notes on Love, Life, and Loss.” You being here makes the years of writing and ripping out thousands of notebook pages worth it.
Whether you have ventured into my nonsense before or this is your first time, I wanted to properly introduce myself and this project for what it is.
I am Maurissa, also known as RissaJean.
Field Notes on Love, Life, and Loss desires to uncover the raw truths of the human experience through introspective essays and authentic storytelling. Even when it hurts, we persevere.
I’ve fought with myself to allow these reflections and stories to live outside of my mind.
I can be dramatic at times, maybe a bit too much, and yet still not entirely enough. I'm completely irreverent and sometimes pretend to be a poised, perfect, and proper lady - but that's anything but who I am.
This tug-of-war on expression has connected me to the depths of humanity. What we claim to be, claim to hate, claim to love, and lays it all out on the table. This newsletter contains the contents of my mind and heart, uncensored and without apology… for once.
It all began with a notebook and something to prove. Prove to who? I still don’t know.
. . .
You’ll find that I teeter on the edge of extremes: radical self-acceptance and total degradation of everything I have ever believed in. I hold a deep-seated knowing that I don’t dare to explain and am a regretful and apologetic clutz.
I’m so honored to be witnessed by people who donate their words, time, and thoughts to my existence because sometimes it feels as if I’m in no place at all. You are a reminder that I am here.
. . .
My newsletter explores the honest truths about life as I know it, love as I’ve found it, and personal growth as I’ve accepted it. Through introspective essays, reluctant reflections, and authentic storytelling, I aim to inspire courage and foster real* deep connections within our community. My assignment is to empower readers to welcome their vulnerabilities with open arms and cultivate a genuine sense of authenticity in their lives. Savor the mess and share it, it’s lifesaving. I promise.
Your support, whether through reading, sharing, commenting, or subscribing, means the world to me. Thank you for being a part of this community and for allowing me to share my thoughts and stories with you.
I'm warm and ready to accept the days ahead and happy to divulge more to you. Expect upcoming posts that explore themes of love, life, and personal growth. I look forward to continuing our conversations, tasting new perspectives, and connecting more deeply.
All posts are open to free subscribers. If you’d like to support my work, consider a paid subscription—you can cancel anytime, no hard feelings. Or, drop a little something in my virtual tip jar. Your presence is enough, and I’m grateful for any good energy you send my way. Thank you!
In a world optimized for bullshit, opt for the real thing.
The monsters change their shape and motive, but today I really couldn’t care less about what the hell they are up to.
*real - a raw and unfiltered truth that is the basis of a deep connection worth having.
xx
RissaJean
Aww. Thankfully, I can say the same! I always look forward to your posts💚
Happy to be here!