What Do We Do Now That We’re Here? is a newsletter that asks how to live a meaningful life in a chaotic and unstable world. It’s been mentioned in the New York Times, Outside Magazine, and New York Magazine.

From the climate emergency to Covid, inequality to near-universal burnout, it is apparent that the way we live is not working. A reporter at heart, I’m interested in figuring out the most sane way to live now. So I’m asking people — from artists and writers, indigenous scholars and climate psychologists. I seek out people living lives that respond honestly and bravely to the moment we’re in, rather than discordantly and full of denial.

This project is my own frank acknowledgement that the future will be very tough, but an investigation into whether it can be beautiful, too. It is my attempt to find the place between denial and nihilism, and to set up a life there. It is my invitation for you to join me.

I’m Rosie, a writer based in the UK. For ten years I was a journalist whose work was published in places like The Guardian, Quartz, VICE, NPR, Sierra, Outside, Wall Street Journal, Pacific Standard, Lucky Peach and others. My reporting career was varied: I aggressively covered the lack of regulation in the cruise industry; questioned the impacts of “live like a local” travel; chronicled gentrification in east London; covered the weird world of wellness, from Instagram life coaches to “all natural” birth control — and lots more.

I started this newsletter in 2016 as a form of self promotion for my journalism work. Over time, it’s because something else entirely—and the primary home for my personal writing. I hope you enjoy it. 

Learn more about my work past and present: rojospinks.com 

Subscribe to What Do We Do Now That We're Here?

A newsletter about how to live a meaningful life in a chaotic, unstable world. I'm trying to find the place between denial and nihilism, and set up a life there. Come join me for monthly essays, Q&As, links, tips, and shreds of sanity.

People

Rosie Spinks 

Former journalist and recovering overachiever. Searching for the most sane way to live now.