This week I purchased some of the skimpiest clothes I’ve dallied with in awhile- chocolate brown low rise culottes with a built in thong and a matching ruffly halter from Emily Watson, a “business suit” with booty shorts instead of wide leg pants from
“In reality, my life has been immeasurably enhanced by my appetite, not just for food but for love, for experience, for art. My favorite people are the ones whose appetites cannot be controlled, who are piloted by that kind of hunger. They’re the most interesting, complicated, and desirable people I know. It doesn’t always show on their bodies, that feeling of "too muchness," but I can always see it in the way they move through the world.” Phew does this hit!!! Thank you thank you thank you.
Appetites cannot be controlled for food or love? You just described incels.
Gross.
I've got some good news for you, I know some men you need to meet. They'll treat you like a queen. After one date you'll be the most important thing in their lives.
Thank you so much for the art you make, it made me.
I was 21 when Girls came out, and after a lifetime scanning the background of every film or tv show I watched for a “cool, normal, chubby gal” to justify my own existence THERE YOU WERE! It changed the chemistry of my brain. I could redirect the energy spent hating myself and wishing tomorrow would be the day I woke up in a new body.
I fell in love with myself. I accepted the rheumatoid arthritis I’d had since a baby, and celebrated what my body CAN still do! I fell in love with a beautiful man who loves me back. I moved country and came home again. I found a career that grows me. Maybe the timing was right, but fuck I really don’t know that I could have done any of this without Girls and viewing your success from afar.
I watch every tiktok clip I see of you, and I’ve learned to never read the comments. Imagine talking to those freaks? They’ve not got a clue about what it means to live. Pity the fools.
Please make your art for as long as you can, I cannot wait to enjoy it all xx
This is so damned lovely- and thank you, thank you, I love hearing the show had any impact on you, much less inspired you to achieve all the greatness that was already within you.
My mom had a friend who was gorgeous and curvy and she one lifted her caftan by the water to reveal that she had a gorgeous fat tattooed ass. I still remember being 7 or 8 staring at her cellulite and tats in awe (I swear, it was in context) and she’s still my definition of beauty.
Ugh I love this so much. I too can lay in a bathtub till I’ve finished remembrance of things past. I was so inspired by you in girls because you were just presenting yourself and or a character as she was and your body as it was and I felt there was no representation of non Barbie’s out there so you really helped me feel seen and for that I am eternally grateful and a 59 year old fan.
As an almost-40 yr old (who doesn't drive because she has "spatial awareness issues"!) I too felt so unburdened by learning the difference between sick (or being in pain) and disabled. Spent so much of my 20s and 30s being told by so-called friends that if I just dieted or worked out harder my body would look like theirs, instead of just appreciating all the things my body does do well. Too Much hit home on so many levels. Thank you!
Yes, Lena, yes. Too Much has been a dream to watch. I feel seen, heard, and represented in all of the awkward, raw glory in every line and scene. I appreciate you and feel gratitude you’ve spearheaded the act of giving this generation an authentic voice.
Lenaaaaa ❤️❤️❤️ I’ve rewatched girls and now binging on too much, and your impact on me is: liberation. I’m grateful for your work, your art, your words and mostly your advocacy for ocd too 🙏💕 bisous
From a fellow EDS patient (now wondering if we went to the same clinic at Hopkins, what a life-changing place…) who could also live in the bath: I’m so grateful to read your thoughts on body. Absolutely eating it up!
So good. For me it’s being quiet. My whole life people have shamed me for my quiet nature. Why are you so quiet? Speak up! I felt so ashamed of my natural inclination to listen and observe and absorb and shout when ready. Fuck that.
Love this! I’m not quiet, I’m chic. So using this next time someone calls me out. 😃 I so loved this newsletter. I want to teach my daughters not to buy everything society is selling and this is such a great way to to put it.
Yesterday my partner asked if I remembered how fun a Slip and Slide was? And I literally said “I don’t remember ever being free enough in my body to enjoy that.” New summer goal? ❤️
too much is excellent, and also you look INCREDIBLE in that The Los Angeles Times picture. is it too obvious to say ofc you are way more than your corporeal vessel, that your wit and vulnerability and appetite for life have done so much for so many people - but still, i wanna say you look just amazing too.
read this spectacular essay on my morning commute and now keep having to look up to see if anyone can notice me blinking back tears??? lena, thank you for this and for your inimitable voice. your work encourages me to be okay with taking up more space and being naturally hungry, physically and figuratively. ❤️
I love this so much. Also I saw the pics of you this week in the streets directing and you look amazing AND you steal every scene in "too much," so I hope we see you on the screen more. I just finished my 5th or 6th (maybe more) rewatch of Girls recently and I was thinking back to when the show first aired... all of the shit that you took for your body back then .. and how I was pretty similar in shape/size... and I would see all these hateful comments and start to think, "wow, so this is what people think when they see me," and it really got to me. And I hate that I would think that and I wonder how many other women did too, but that is the danger of these comments that these people make... it's hurtful to you and it's hurtful to others and it's unnecessary. I found myself trying to defend you in the comment sections recently and then I realized I'm never going to win--these people are not worth my time and they'll never understand the struggles we go through with our bodies. Thank you for being so open and honest and please keep sharing your thoughts and writing because we need it and we have missed you! <3 ps loved Too Much and you have the best taste in music.
Making me feel okay in my body since 2014. Thank you, queen 💪
🥹🥹🥹
“In reality, my life has been immeasurably enhanced by my appetite, not just for food but for love, for experience, for art. My favorite people are the ones whose appetites cannot be controlled, who are piloted by that kind of hunger. They’re the most interesting, complicated, and desirable people I know. It doesn’t always show on their bodies, that feeling of "too muchness," but I can always see it in the way they move through the world.” Phew does this hit!!! Thank you thank you thank you.
🍓❤️
Appetites cannot be controlled for food or love? You just described incels.
Gross.
I've got some good news for you, I know some men you need to meet. They'll treat you like a queen. After one date you'll be the most important thing in their lives.
Thank you so much for the art you make, it made me.
I was 21 when Girls came out, and after a lifetime scanning the background of every film or tv show I watched for a “cool, normal, chubby gal” to justify my own existence THERE YOU WERE! It changed the chemistry of my brain. I could redirect the energy spent hating myself and wishing tomorrow would be the day I woke up in a new body.
I fell in love with myself. I accepted the rheumatoid arthritis I’d had since a baby, and celebrated what my body CAN still do! I fell in love with a beautiful man who loves me back. I moved country and came home again. I found a career that grows me. Maybe the timing was right, but fuck I really don’t know that I could have done any of this without Girls and viewing your success from afar.
I watch every tiktok clip I see of you, and I’ve learned to never read the comments. Imagine talking to those freaks? They’ve not got a clue about what it means to live. Pity the fools.
Please make your art for as long as you can, I cannot wait to enjoy it all xx
This is so damned lovely- and thank you, thank you, I love hearing the show had any impact on you, much less inspired you to achieve all the greatness that was already within you.
My mom had a friend who was gorgeous and curvy and she one lifted her caftan by the water to reveal that she had a gorgeous fat tattooed ass. I still remember being 7 or 8 staring at her cellulite and tats in awe (I swear, it was in context) and she’s still my definition of beauty.
So we all pay it forward.
Just here to say I'm so glad you're back.
Thank you Jess 🥹❤️
Ugh I love this so much. I too can lay in a bathtub till I’ve finished remembrance of things past. I was so inspired by you in girls because you were just presenting yourself and or a character as she was and your body as it was and I felt there was no representation of non Barbie’s out there so you really helped me feel seen and for that I am eternally grateful and a 59 year old fan.
Means the world
As an almost-40 yr old (who doesn't drive because she has "spatial awareness issues"!) I too felt so unburdened by learning the difference between sick (or being in pain) and disabled. Spent so much of my 20s and 30s being told by so-called friends that if I just dieted or worked out harder my body would look like theirs, instead of just appreciating all the things my body does do well. Too Much hit home on so many levels. Thank you!
Oh thank you for these gorgeous words
Yes, Lena, yes. Too Much has been a dream to watch. I feel seen, heard, and represented in all of the awkward, raw glory in every line and scene. I appreciate you and feel gratitude you’ve spearheaded the act of giving this generation an authentic voice.
This means the world
Your essays are brilliant - so richly and gently constructed. You are one of a kind. ♥️♥️♥️
What a gorgeous compliment, thank you
Lenaaaaa ❤️❤️❤️ I’ve rewatched girls and now binging on too much, and your impact on me is: liberation. I’m grateful for your work, your art, your words and mostly your advocacy for ocd too 🙏💕 bisous
THANK YOU
From a fellow EDS patient (now wondering if we went to the same clinic at Hopkins, what a life-changing place…) who could also live in the bath: I’m so grateful to read your thoughts on body. Absolutely eating it up!
Krissy my bathtub sister! Wishing your loose limbs love
Bathtub sisters yesss!!! 💦🙏🛁🫧
So good. For me it’s being quiet. My whole life people have shamed me for my quiet nature. Why are you so quiet? Speak up! I felt so ashamed of my natural inclination to listen and observe and absorb and shout when ready. Fuck that.
Wow being quiet is so chic- I am jealous, see!?
Love this! I’m not quiet, I’m chic. So using this next time someone calls me out. 😃 I so loved this newsletter. I want to teach my daughters not to buy everything society is selling and this is such a great way to to put it.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful mind, body and soul with us, Lena. - a girl who lived in NYC during GIRLS ❤️
❤️❤️❤️🥹
Yesterday my partner asked if I remembered how fun a Slip and Slide was? And I literally said “I don’t remember ever being free enough in my body to enjoy that.” New summer goal? ❤️
too much is excellent, and also you look INCREDIBLE in that The Los Angeles Times picture. is it too obvious to say ofc you are way more than your corporeal vessel, that your wit and vulnerability and appetite for life have done so much for so many people - but still, i wanna say you look just amazing too.
read this spectacular essay on my morning commute and now keep having to look up to see if anyone can notice me blinking back tears??? lena, thank you for this and for your inimitable voice. your work encourages me to be okay with taking up more space and being naturally hungry, physically and figuratively. ❤️
This means everything
I love this so much. Also I saw the pics of you this week in the streets directing and you look amazing AND you steal every scene in "too much," so I hope we see you on the screen more. I just finished my 5th or 6th (maybe more) rewatch of Girls recently and I was thinking back to when the show first aired... all of the shit that you took for your body back then .. and how I was pretty similar in shape/size... and I would see all these hateful comments and start to think, "wow, so this is what people think when they see me," and it really got to me. And I hate that I would think that and I wonder how many other women did too, but that is the danger of these comments that these people make... it's hurtful to you and it's hurtful to others and it's unnecessary. I found myself trying to defend you in the comment sections recently and then I realized I'm never going to win--these people are not worth my time and they'll never understand the struggles we go through with our bodies. Thank you for being so open and honest and please keep sharing your thoughts and writing because we need it and we have missed you! <3 ps loved Too Much and you have the best taste in music.