35 Comments
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Tammy Skipper's avatar

As someone who has been in the planner world for, essentially my whole life, but hard core since 2010...I can't tell you how much it has meant to see a person like Emily use her voice for positive change. Thank you Emily (Ley) for stepping out into this chaos and thank you Emily (in my phone) for giving us examples to follow and tools to use almost daily.

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thank you so much Tammy. Means the world, truly!

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Stephanie Karhoff's avatar

I was tossing and turning most of the night wondering if me speaking up, calling my reps, posting on socials criticizing this administration could cost me or my family. This was what I needed to read this morning.

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Amanda Littell's avatar

And all the women of the world said…amen!

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Carissa Faxalandez's avatar

This was so beautifully written. I have often wondered at what point a person stops being allowed to have a political opinion. Surely me, a regular social media user and not a public personality, can state my political beliefs. But if I started to gain followers, at what point would I be expected to shut up? That's of course not the point - the point is to bully someone, to silence those you don't agree with, it's never been anything else!

PS I might get this quote printed and framed for in my home:

“I got older, and my convictions became stronger, and the state of the world began to threaten freedom and democracy itself, I decided once and for all that idea was nonsense. And that the best type of legacy I could leave would be one of inclusion, of factual and respectful truth-telling, and ultimately of love. My kids were watching.”

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thanks Carissa. It's a wild world we are in for sure. Grateful to have found my voice in it.

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Jenn Davis's avatar

Thank you for sharing your convictions and thought process. As a current and long-time customer (I’ve purchased a planner from Simplified every year since around 2016 and most of your books), seeing you standing up for your beliefs and doing what you believe is right has made me respect you even more than I already did and made me want to support your business even more. Thank you.

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thanks so much Jenn.

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JM's avatar
Apr 15Edited

Thank you both. I've made a deliberate shift in the last few years and then again a year or so ago to get louder and clearer about my beliefs and values and yes my politics. It's scary but I also feel it is so imperative. Courage!!

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Emily Ley's avatar

Truly imperative!

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Emily Ley's avatar

Emily - thank you so much for having me here today. So grateful for your voice in all of this!

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Anna Crollman's avatar

As someone who has loved simplified products for years I am now a super fan! Thank you for your courage

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thanks Anna!

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Jana's avatar

My two favorite Emily’s of the internet. Icons. Thanks for your bravery and humanity 💕 Also a longtime simplified customer 🥰

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thanks Jana!

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Stephanie G's avatar

Everything is political. While some folks enjoy a privileged enough life not to have to face this hard reality, I am sorry that they lash out anytime they feel uncomfortable.

Bravo on stepping up. I cannot imagine how difficult it was to be the first. We all knew the lawsuits would happen, but being brave enough to start the cascade is on another level.

As someone who works in the apparel and textile industry, my association is watching your lawsuit and the one brought yesterday at the Court of International Trade very closely and wish you all the best!

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Lisa's avatar

Yes! I hate “stay in your lane” comments as if a person can only be one thing. I'm not someone with an audience, but people in my life have told me to stop talking about certain things so much and move on. I don't have much power, but I will use the tiny amount I have daily. I will not shut up, and I am thankful for people like you who are fighting and refuse to stay silent.

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Emily Ley's avatar

Me too. And when we all speak up a little, our collective volume gets louder!

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Valerie's avatar

Thank you for this. What is the best way for me to share Emily‘s essay across my social media channels? It resonates deeply with me as I’m so frustrated with my friends who won’t even post on Facebook for a fear of offending somebody.

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Emily Ley's avatar

Thanks for asking Valerie - click that share button at the top of the post to share.

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Angel's avatar

I love this! Thank you for being a voice.

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Kathy Kelly's avatar

Thank you for speaking up. Each of us has got to stand up for our democracy.

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Jennifer Adams's avatar

Bravo! 👏

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Devon's avatar

The part where you said if you didn't speak up you'd be teaching your children comfort matters more than conviction really struck a chord with me. I'm going to keep reminding myself that

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