Note to subscribers
First off, my apologies for not communicating with you sooner.
As I mentioned in my previous email, activity on The Haps screamed to a halt as I found myself wrestling with a fairly severe bout of depression.
Sadly, these episodes have been an all-too-common feature of my life over the past decade and a half. Despite receiving all manner of treatment over that time, including currently, I have been unable to keep them at bay.
A predominant side effect of my disorder is a near total loss of motivation and a collapse in what remains of my self-esteem. Obviously, both were needed in generous quantities for The Haps to succeed. Unfortunately, in retrospect, the decision to launch the site in the first place was a triumph of hope over experience.
Some of you have generously paid for subscriptions to The Haps, and I have clearly failed to hold up my end of the bargain. If you are a monthly subscriber, please cancel if you haven't already done so. As for subs to date, and for the handful of you who paid an annual rate, I would like to offer a refund. Substack does not make this easy, but if you provide me with your bank account number via email, I can arrange a direct reimbursement.
With respect to the site's future, I intend to persist. It will be free and will come to life intermittently, as mood permits. My interest in the subject matter is undiminished and the impulse to write about it will no doubt return in time.
After a few months at a very low ebb, my current depression has somewhat abated. There are grass shoots in evidence – from the ability to taste food to the very fact I found the wherewithal to compose this email (although thanks are also due to my bro Richard for the gentle nudge). As mentioned, I continue to receive treatment – and my hope for a return to good mental health, and for the possibility of a productive life, springs eternal.
Once again, apologies to subscribers for my failure to deliver on my promise to you.
This promise, though, I will keep: my next missive, when it comes, will be far newsier than this one – and a lot more fun to read.
Until then.
Arohanui,
Phil