Ushering in Spooky Season 🔮🎃🧙♀️
This issue is a Lazy Guide to S(care) Essentials
Dear Lazies,
We welcome witches, wonders, and warriors, to this special issue, where we tried to mix care with scary ! As the veil thins and spooky stories drift in the night, we’re unearthing something deeper than ghosts and goblins: the often unseen forces of care that hold us together — even in a world that sometimes feels haunted.
In this issue, we’ll stir up tales of resilience and self-preservation, unpacking the ‘scary’ things that we sometimes face: culture clashes, beauty standards (hello, The Substance), and the expectations of parenthood.
Light a candle, pour something warm (or wicked!), and join us as we explore the side of solidarity and the dark arts of self-care. This Halloween, let’s conjure a world where care is valued as fiercely as courage — and where the only thing scary is the thought of not showing up for each other.
This issue features illustrations from Fdor and Safae Boudrar
Your Lazies
In the spirit of Halloween, the Lazy editors have put together an autumnal self-care potion for you to try…🧚♂️✨🔮
Ingredients
4x stewed apples with cinnamon
Your favourite scarf
The sound of crunchy leaves
‘His Young Heart’ album by Daughter
Sprinkles of pumpkin spice
Method
Pour all ingredients into a cauldron and mix thoroughly.
As the pot starts to boil, whisper a fear or worry you've never shared out loud.
Inhale
Exhale
Effects
Brings you a sense of peace and openness to the darker months ahead.
Potential to cause more frequent naps.
Here’s a lovely bit on the theme from another Substack creator that we enjoyed :)
The Substance – Where’s the Balance? (written by Chaharika)
Since it’s Halloween, we can’t escape the conversation about the so-called (feminist) horror film of the year – Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. I’ll be upfront: I watched the film because of its overwhelming presence on my Twitter/X timeline. It seemed like the perfect blend of the Mia Goth horror universe and the wave of unhinged yet empowered female protagonists films. It also felt like a bet – can you tolerate this gorefest?
At first glance, The Substance is a prosthetic-fueled horror with a strong message on the life-threatening vanity patriarchy imposes on women. Our protagonist, Elisabeth Sparkles, a 50-year-old celebrity, finds her fame fading as she “ages out.” Her answer to this? A BRAT-green matrix, syringes, stitches—a dubious kit that allows her to transform into her younger alter ego, Sue, for a week, reverting to her “haggard” self for the other half. But there’s a catch: the transformation requires a delicate balance that neither Elisabeth nor Fargeat manage to uphold.
Sue’s existence parasitically consumes Elisabeth’s time and youth, yet a glaring flaw emerges: Why is a balance needed if they don’t share the same consciousness? What’s the gain for Elisabeth if she never experiences youth? The narrative unravels, eventually resembling a Rapunzel-esque tale of opposing forces, with the plot’s critique of male-driven vanity fading into the background by the second half.
Somehow, the movie’s message at times appears too earnest, and at other moments, it's simply lost. The first 40 minutes are tightly scripted, but after that the social messaging just seems too on the nose – yes, we get it, beauty standards are unreasonable. But the Sue-Sparkles backforth and the latter’s descent into the Hunchback of Notre Dame is trite. Scenes like Demi Moore’s character wiping off makeup during her body dysmorphia episode right before her dinner date could have been impactful, but the message is undercut as the horror element takes over, culminating in a literal fight between the two (or one?) women.
The Substance is, in no way, a bad film. The theme is extremely relevant, and its tactile body horror is a lot more refreshing than the A24 films we’re used to. However, I wonder how much of a feminist vanguard the film would’ve appeared to me if that wasn’t the narrative I was constantly exposed to before watching it. The film oscillates between reiterating familiar ideas and abandoning its successes by the end.
Julie’s comment: I agree. While the Substance is a pure satire on ageism in show business and female beauty standards, it’s not quite revolutionary feminist - the main message gets lost behind the imagery, in my opinion. (Even though shock value makes sense in a body horror). Do horror movies even need feminism? I believe only if they claim to be such.
I keep thinking about that dinner date preparation scene, though - I found it sadly too relatable, and the emotions expressed by Elizabeth were spot on! I still struggle with body dysmorphia at times, and I feel anger, just like Elizabeth - never sadness or disappointment. I think lots of women can find it relatable, too.
What did you think? Send us your thoughts!
New Lazy Articles!
Sharing the two pieces we published in October:
‘Hungarian identity can never be determined from above’ - an interview by Lazy Zsofi. Here Zsofi talks to Dorottya Farkas, a fellow Lazy and a director of the play called ‘How I Became Emese’. This article is also available in Hungarian.
Stop asking me why I send my daughter to daycare by Lazy Selin. A deep dive into inappropriate questions a mother can receive from people with ‘good intentions’ and how to confront them.
More articles are coming your way - follow our Instagram to stay tuned ;)
The Lazy Women Podcast is BACK!
Do you remember that we started recording new episodes of our Lazy Women podcast? ;) Down below, you’ll find an exclusive sneak peek for our followers on Substack - soon to be available on Spotify!
In the first intimate conversation, Zsofi, Julie, and Aleli share their struggles of integrating into Parisian society, thoughts on emigration, and plans for the future. We hope that a lot of you might find it familiar, and some of you might even find it uplifting and hopeful :)
Don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts on the episode - by sending us a DM, an email, or a comment on Substack!
On October 24, Frosso and Julie from the executive team represented Lazy Women at the Check!Europe conference organised by Are We Europe in Brussels. Julie joined the ‘Different Ways of Covering Europe’ panel, presenting ‘Making It In Western Europe’ podcast, a project we’re proud of :)
p.s. Also, we were happy to meet Una and Lucie, fellow Lazies who are based in Brussels! You have to trust us on this one, as we wouldn’t include the very blurry pictures we took together :D
Ever wondered who writes these newsletters?
Chaharika
Based in India.
Hi! I’m South Asian-born and bred, currently finishing up my last year at University in New Delhi as a history major. I found Lazy Women when I was craving a place to write, a creative outlet that was thoughtful and, dare I say, mindful yet not academic. I am a dedicated Letterboxd member and a fan of just about every cinematic universe. But I also do read! My book of the year is Shrayana Bhattacharya’s Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh Khan.
Julie
Originally from Russia, based in France.
I post about the books and coffee shops up to the point where people wonder whether I even work. My favourite book of 2024 so far…It’s tricky, but I would give the medal to the At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell! In autumn (as a form of self-care), I’m trying to spend more time on the exhibitions and art events - the last one that I loved was Tales & Tellers by MiuMiu, a project within the Art Basel Paris Public Programme. Lazy Women gives me space for growth and self-expression, plus a chance to connect to so many different women out there <3
Poppy
Originally from the UK, Poppy is currently based in the Netherlands.
You'll either find me out dancing to live music or at home making soup, there really is no in between. My favourite read of 2024 so far was Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard and my top tip for autumn is to take extra care with your skin. Moisturise plenty, serums galore and don't forget SPF just because summer is over. Being part of the Lazy Women Community forever challenges and expands my feminist views, plus it gives me the opportunity to write a few words into the world, which is pretty cool.
*Town crier call* Hear ye, hear ye! We're a tiny team of three and are always on the hunt for more volunteer writers. Interested to know more, respond to this newsletter and let's connect!
p.s. Our newsletter team is fully volunteer-based. We work on every issue throughout the whole month—picking a topic, collecting submissions and illustrations, writing, and editing.
If you like what we do, you can support our work here 👇
Loved this podcast episode - so interesting to listen to your experiences! Thank you lazies x