Hello, Adversity is a newsletter about how to face life’s storms with clarity, courage, and hope.
When life shakes us to our core, it can be hard to function, let alone find a way to move forward. If you’ve been dealt a major life setback, Hello, Adversity is here to help.
My story
My name is Chris Anselmo, and I live with an adult-onset muscle disease called limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). For the last sixteen years, I have dealt with adversity every day as I have grown progressively weaker. This disease has upended my life and forced me to build new dreams after my previous ones shattered.
In the early years of my disease, I made every mistake in the book. I didn’t ask for help. I buried my head in the sand. I tried to control the uncontrollable while neglecting what was within my power. As a result, I struggled to come to terms with the hand I was dealt and suffered unnecessarily.
Over time, I learned that there are resilience strategies and resources that can lessen the blow of adversity. They don’t make tough times magically disappear, but they can make things just a little bit easier. In learning what worked (and also what didn’t work), I was able to piece my life back together. Today, I am in a much better place; however, I still rely on these strategies and resources whenever I’m having a bad day.
For a long time, I wanted to create the resource I wished I had found in my lowest moments.
My goal with Hello, Adversity is to be that resource for you.
What free subscribers receive
Every Wednesday, I publish an in-depth newsletter that explores a different resilience strategy. From time to time, I will also share a personal essay about my experience navigating adversity.
My most popular articles include Life, In Between Hope and Despair, The Accidental Book Download That Changed My Life, Why It’s So Hard to Ask for Help, Embracing Serendipity, and Out of the Abyss.
Three of the four essays are free each month. If you’d like to see the different posts I’ve written, organized by topic, click here.
What paid subscribers receive
The Hello, Adversity Notebook
This is my digital notebook I use to store all the books, articles, passages, and quotes that have helped me on my resilience journey.
This resource can be used in various ways. First and foremost, it can serve as inspiration whenever you encounter a specific life challenge, such as a crisis of confidence, failure, anger/frustration, depression/anxiety, etc. It can also serve as raw material for any creative pursuit, such as a blog post, newsletter, or presentation.
Here are two example pages from the Hello, Adversity Notebook: Confidence and Perseverance.
Monthly essay for paid subscribers
At the end of each month, I write a personal essay for paid subscribers. At the end of the essay, I share a roundup of what I’m reading (books and articles), along with any other random musings and observations on my mind.
Access to the full archive
After six months, free posts become paywalled. Paid subscribers receive access to all 150+ posts in my archive.
A copy of my book (available early next year)
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my book, Hello, Adversity: 52 Lessons on Facing Life’s Storms with Clarity, Courage, and Hope. It’s a practical guide packed with strategies to help you navigate tough times.
Paid subscribers will receive a complimentary digital copy of my book.
What founding subscribers receive
In addition to all the other paid benefits, founding subscribers have the opportunity to schedule a 30-minute call with me.
On this call, we can talk about anything you want — specific resilience strategies, favorite books, or anything that’s on your mind. I am also happy to chat through any issues you’re currently dealing with as well. (With the obvious caveats that I’m not a therapist, can’t offer medical advice, etc.)
I hope you’ll join me on this journey!
Chris
