Welcome to I Grow Strong Again’s submissions page! My goal for 2025 is to feature one guest post per month, each story focusing on the theme of resilience.
“I grow strong again” is a loose translation of the Scottish MacEwan clan motto, Reviresco.
For the full backstory on why I chose this as the theme of my Substack, please read (or scan) this essay:
To be considered for a monthly feature, please complete the following steps:
Take some time to consider what “I grow strong again” means in your life, and study the image of an oak tree stump with a sapling sprouting at its base. Reflect on what that image might symbolize for your story of resilience.
On a piece of paper or in a Word document, answer the following questions. As you do, keep in mind that the best answers emerge when you do not censor what you write and, in fact, when you do pour yourself onto the page in a stream of consciousness style. I will never judge you or what you write. Everything you share will be safe with me. My preference is that you provide more information than what we will need to share publicly, so be generous in what you record.
You do not need to answer all of these questions, but you may if you wish. Select what resonates most with your story and experiences:
What does “I grow strong again” mean to you?
Resilience is defined as “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.” Synonyms include toughness, elasticity, plasticity, strength, sturdiness, tenacity, persistence, durability, perseverance, and fortitude (among others). Select one or two of these synonyms and explain specifically how they apply to your story.
How does the image of the oak tree stump and sapling apply to your life experiences of overcoming or working through tragedy, loss, illness, setbacks, obstacles, adversities, or challenges?
Select one specific hurdle you’d like to focus on and explain a) what happened that was painful or hard, b) what altered or shifted for you, and c) where you are now. There should be a clear arc of change from incident to pivot to new direction.
Where did you imagine your life was headed before everything changed for you?
What internal battles did you have to grapple with (existential questions, emotional processing, etc.) after your life radically changed?
How did you begin to reconstruct yourself and your story from the inciting event that changed everything? Did you believe you had to start over, or were there elements of your former life that you kept and simply built differently?
How has your perspective or worldview changed since this life event happened to you?
What three insights or revelations would you like to share with others that you believe have universal application and resonance?
When you have finished answering as many questions as you’d like, please send what you’ve written and two high-resolution photos with captions and photo credits, if applicable, as a direct message. If you have trouble messaging me, you can alternately email me at jeannie [dot] ewing 07 [at] gmail [dot] com. (Please note there are no spaces, and the dot is an actual period.)
Once you have heard from me, I will let you know when I plan to schedule your piece. I may suggest light edits, or I may discuss with you the possibility of an interview-style format as an alternative to a longer essay.
Important Note
I want to point out that I am not glorifying the idea of resilience as martyrdom or suffering for the sake of suffering. Resilience can be an impossible expectation for many of us to achieve, and we may fall under its crushing weight at times—the idea that we are “supposed” to be strong or never ask for help.
This is not my goal here. I want you to know that I myself have experienced impossible burdens and assumptions that I will simply pick myself up and carry on. There have been many occasions in which I crumbled under this pressure. I buckled. I almost gave up on my life.
Therefore, the idea of resilience, for the purposes of this submissions process and publication, is to showcase those who have experienced appropriate distance from their stories and are in a clear headspace to share what they have learned in an honest and open manner.
If this feels right for you, I look forward to hearing from you.
Please consider passing this page along to others you believe might be interested in participating. If I get enough response, I may continue this effort past 2025.
It would mean a great deal if you would consider subscribing to stay apprised of new essays and featured guests.