Welcome to It's Not Just You
Slightly wicked comfort for anxious times
Well hello! I’m so glad you’re here. Here are a few compelling reasons to subscribe. See you soon, Susanna.
What is It’s Not Just You?
It’s Not Just You is essays, recommendations, advice, weekly delights, and, most importantly, a community of thousands of readers around the world. This newsletter was born at TIME magazine, where I was a columnist and executive editor. And now I’ll be coming to you from here at Substack.
I write inspiring and often funny columns about how we connect to something larger than ourselves. My Sunday newsletter includes a personal essay or social commentary. Usually, it’s a bit of both, like this. And I’m particularly intrigued by the psychological and physiological underpinnings of memory, connection, and empathy.
Once a month I publish a Slightly Wicked Advice column (send your questions here. And midweek I share my Weekly Delights email (a roundup of cultural delights and useful advice). And readers can join live discussion threads with other brilliant readers.
Readers describe It’s Not Just You with words like: wry, quirky, beautiful, hope-inducing, witty, and honest. (Links to previous editions and more from current subscribers below. And I swear they’re not ALL my friends.)
Why Should I Subscribe?
Here’s how it works: The Sunday essay email will always be free for everyone, and it includes a list of weekly delightful recommendations. Paid subscribers will have access to everything, including the Slightly Wicked Advice column (pending questions received) and live reader discussion threads. (Everyone will have access to everything for the next month so you can test the waters.)
So if you like my work, I hope you’ll consider supporting me as an independent writer. Your subscriptions (at the fab discount rate of $35 per year) will help me with expenses for the newsletter and life––internet, bagels, a copyeditor (ahem).
Have questions? See what readers say about the newsletter and find my favorite bits of writing from TIME, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post here.
Can I see some of your writing before I sign up?
You can read my essays and reported pieces on TIME.com, Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated. Herewith, some of my favorites: on loving someone who battles inner demons, an interview with writer Anne Lamott about staving off cynicism, the benefits of being imperfect and unfinished, the emotional blowback to Adele’s 100 lb. weight loss, Simone Biles and why we all get the twisties, on Justine Bateman’s book about why women don’t need to ‘fix” their aging faces, the Mars Rover and the science of awe when the earth tilts toward hope about the winter solstice, our post-pandemic bucket list, when my oldest child came out, why rage is contagious, a reported yarn in which I go to the Moroccan Sahara for an all-female motor race across the Sahara, and my afternoon with Stormy Daniels.
What do your readers say about the It’s Not Just You?
“This is so beautiful. What a gentle note to read in the morning” —Sonali
“Quirky, entertaining, relevant, diverse and always relatable.” —Carole
“You did it again. You spoke from the heart and touched mine.” —Dave
“I’m absolutely loving following your road trip - you write so eloquently & the photos are gorgeous.” —Ella all the way from freezing Tasmania
“Our shoulders are sore from tensing for so long waiting for “normal” to arrive like a summer that’s always six months away.” Beautiful text by @SusannaSchrobs —Leila
“I love this newsletter so much! Everyone needs to sign up now.” —hhalepis
“Please know that [It’s Not Just You] has brought me joy in so many ways.” —Tom
“Wry, witty, reassuring.” —TIME reader survey
“The humor, the easy-going tone that Susanna presents with is always so welcome. I feel like I'm just having a chat with her,” —TIME reader survey.
“Wow. Just plain WOW; I am blown away by this beautiful edition. You grabbed my soul and gave it life again. Thank you.” —Susan
I must know more about you!
Before starting It’s Not Just You, I was a writer and executive editor at TIME magazine, Newsweek, and NBC Universal. At TIME, I edited all kinds of stories, videos, and interactives from the 2017 Person of the Year: “The Silence Breakers” about the women who started the #MeToo movement to a cover on Mattel’s attempt to save itself by woke-ifying and redesigning Barbie.
I live in Brooklyn with two sassy children and Small Dog who took over and became our Chief Operating Officer during the pandemic. Ages ago, I was stationed in TIME magazine’s Paris and Brussels bureaus covering sex trafficking, gymnastics, and French youth culture, and I’m writing a memoir about that. I also spend way too much time thinking about how to get back to Paris.
And come see me on Instagram: @SusannaSchrobs. See you soon, Susanna
