The best Personal Essays newsletters

Tom Cox, an English author, writes personal essays, memoir and humorous notes on walking, cats, books and the British countryside. Issues mix anecdotal storytelling with updates on his books and his late father's cat paintings.

Etgar Keret shares personal essays, stories and reflections, from humorous anecdotes about author tours to searching pieces on life in Israel after October 7. Readers get first-person literary writing that mixes absurdist humor with moral and political introspection.

A long-running Substack of personal essays and political commentary by journalist Matt Labash, mixing satirical takes on Trump and technology with reflections on daily life and travel. Readers get a witty, first-person voice in the vein of literary humor writing.

Oldster Magazine is a paid Substack of personal essays and interviews about ageing, memory, recovery and cultural life across the stages of adulthood. Readers get reflective first-person writing, a monthly sober-life interview series, and nostalgic pieces on everyday experiences from earlier decades.

A personal newsletter by a former evolutionary biology professor, mixing literary reflection, memoir and essays with a loose natural-world theme. Readers get reflective, first-person writing on books, loss, nature and living attentively, plus occasional guest pieces.

A personal newsletter by a British author and former model, mixing honest product and book reviews with humorous life updates and village-life musings. Readers get recommendations on clothing, beauty, books and home alongside chatty personal essays.

A Spanish-language personal newsletter of reflective letters on vulnerability, autumn, grief, love and letting go, mixed with a podcast-style segment answering reader messages. Readers get intimate, literary essays with cultural and mythological references.

Personal essays and pep talks aimed at creative people, mixing anecdotes about making art, live drawing sessions and pets. Readers get reflective, humorous stories about creative failure, play and keeping art as a low-pressure companion.

A personal blog of essays and fragments by a writer who mixes self-deprecating humor, small experiments and reflections on work and love. Issues cover a self-love experiment inspired by another Substack writer, a speech about door-to-door canvassing, and a short poem.

A personal Substack of essays, cultural commentary and fiction by a New York writer and former branding professional. Readers get voicey reflections on screen addiction, corporate work culture and everyday life, plus updates on her first novel.

A personal travel and life diary written by a wanderer moving between the American West, Germany, Istanbul and Bali. Issues mix travel observations, reflections on personal change, and wellness practices such as movement and meditation.

Three writers, Margaret, Sophie and Karen, share weekly cultural recommendations and commentary, with close readings of music videos, TV recaps such as Sterling Point, and personal essays on fashion and everyday life. The tone is witty and warm, with a clear point of view and frequent attention to craft.

Ali on the Run is a personal newsletter from podcast host Ali, covering running, race weekends, live show announcements, and her own life experiences including cancer recovery. Readers get updates on upcoming events like the NYC live show, Q&A-style reflections, and sponsor-supported running recommendations.

A personal essay newsletter where the writer reflects candidly on nostalgia, intimacy, privacy, and ambition in everyday life. It also features occasional guest essays from subscribers, offering reflective, introspective reading.

A personal newsletter by author Melissa Urban mixing commentary on boundaries, public discourse and culture with hiking stories and book recommendations. Readers get opinionated, candid essays plus a subscriber-only weekly roundup of things she likes and dislikes.

A personal essay newsletter where the writer reflects on overthinking, disappointment, therapy-speak and accountability in relationships, drawn from life as a Black woman in her 20s. Issues read as thoughtful, candid first-person writing that pushes back on the habit of turning every hurt into a lesson.

A personal weekly letter from Nicolas sharing travel stories from Amsterdam, Paris and the Scottish Highlands, along with reflections on French lifestyle, seasonal moments and everyday pleasures. It offers a gentle, lifestyle-focused read for those who enjoy slow living and sensory description.

Narratively publishes true personal stories, memoirs and narrative features about people whose lives readers would rarely glimpse. Recent issues promote its annual Memoir Prize and writing programs and share a sponsored first-person essay.

Weekly personal essays by comedian and author Dominic Holland about family life, dogs, travel mishaps and everyday quirks in London. Readers get warm, humorous anecdotes told in a chatty, self-deprecating voice.

A personal Substack mixing reflective check-ins on mental health and self-criticism with weekly curated lists of recommendations such as podcasts, books and recipes. Readers get a warm, confessional voice and cultural picks, with some content behind a paywall.

Personal essays by author J. Kevin Tumlinson on writing, honesty, aging and living by one's philosophy. Readers get reflective, candid first-person observations on the writer's life and craft.

A humorous personal newsletter from a cartoonist, mixing comics and short essays about work, retail customers, writing and refusing to grow up. Readers get light, observational comedy in a whimsical voice.

An illustrator shares comics and personal essays about her creative work, picture book projects, relationships and life in her 30s. Readers get behind-the-scenes looks at the illustration and publishing process alongside candid, humorous updates.

A personal newsletter of first-person stories about queer sexuality, self-discovery and adventures, written by a college swimmer. Readers get erotic-leaning, humorous narrative essays and an occasional reader-question column where the author tries experiments.

A weekly newsletter in which writer Jenny Lawson shares a hand-drawn doodle along with personal reflections on creativity, mental health, family, pets and hope. Readers get a candid, funny, diary-style note about keeping creative joy alive through hard stretches.

Abigail's personal Substack mixes first-person anecdotes with philosophical argument, examining moral intuitions around the Cornell case, dating, and Jewish holidays. Each essay makes a clear claim and draws on thinkers like Peter Singer and Ayn Rand.

A Substack publishing personal letters, essays and postcards written by different people, focused on love, grief, heartbreak and memory. Readers get intimate, confessional first-person writing about emotional experiences.

A personal newsletter from a creative professional who writes candidly, with humor and vulnerability, about self-doubt, family memories, and the creative work he runs, including the Code for Creatives cohort and AI tools. Free issues are essayistic stories and reflections, with paid community workshops offered on top.

Personal blog feed from swyx, a software engineer and AI engineering commentator, sharing essays on America, AI engineering events, and reflections on life and career. Readers get personal essays mixed with talks and industry perspective on AI.

A weekly Italian-language travel newsletter mixing personal travel diaries from Southeast Asia with practical itineraries for lesser-known Italian destinations. Readers get first-person reflections, route suggestions and lodging and food tips.

A twice-weekly personal newsletter from a mother of four, sharing life updates, candid reflections and humorous anecdotes. Recent issues follow a multi-part story about catching adult chicken pox alongside a lupus flare.

A personal journal of short essays, curated quotes and product picks, written from the author's own experience. Readers get reflective musings on technology and daily life alongside lifestyle recommendations.

A personal, comic-driven newsletter about everyday anxieties, family life, a dog, a toddler and small joys. Each issue ends with questions for readers and light encouragement.