Welcome to the NEW Melissa U

The place to see and be seen (like, on the inside)

I wish there was a place…

Since The Book of Boundaries came out, I’ve received hundreds of direct messages asking for specific boundary scripts and advice. I reply to as many as I can, but there’s only so much I can do with a thousand characters. Then, I received this message from Alysha:

Hi Melissa! Do you have any forums where your followers can go and get advice from you and one another? I have work boundary questions but can’t keep blowing up your DMs.

I immediately wrote her back with an idea I’d been kicking around for months: What if I created a private community where people could submit their questions and get personalized advice from me—but they could also connect with others in a safe space? We could talk about anything: boundaries, relationships, communication, fitness, parenting, Whole30; but also addiction, recovery, trauma, sex, shame—even skincare products, the Amazon sports bra that beats lululemon at less than half the price, and why I wear Converse in the gym (a question I still get weekly).

I began expanding on the idea in my journal: I could also use this space to share even more intimate stories—the stuff I’d love to talk about but aren’t ready to put on Instagram. I could also post book reviews of the ones I loved and hated (something I won’t do publicly), share my favorite local hiking trails (something else I won’t do publicly), and even host “interviews” with some of my famous friends, like Nora McInerny or Sharon McMahon. (I’m sure they’ll say yes?) AND there could be a discussion forum, where people could talk amongst themselves and with me around all of these topics!

WWMUD

I started working on this space a few months ago, but didn’t have a name until I was messaging with my friend Michelle Tam. She was joking about how much she needed The Book of Boundaries, so I offered to be her personal boundary advisor. She then replied, “I’m always thinking, WWMUD?”

I’ve received the same exact message from countless others: Steph (who set a boundary at a family party after her brother-in-law asked her, “What would Melissa Urban do?”), Brianna (who asked, “Are you selling WWMUD gear yet, because your advice is always 🔥”), and Jennifer (who wrote, “I’m having a big WWMUD moment holding boundaries!”).

So I thought, if I’m going to start an advice column… maybe I’ll just call it “What would MU do?”

What you’ll find inside

Melissa U is where you’ll find community, support, and affirmation in a space I’ll be building with you. Subscribers will have insider access, a safe place to connect, and experience the next iteration of XO, MU. (Which I’ll be continuing, every week!)

Here’s what you can expect:

• A weekly advice column. Subscribers can send in questions, and I’ll answer anywhere from 1-3 a week, depending on length.

• More intimate shares from my own lived experience every month. Here’s where I’ll talk about the things I’m not ready to share on social media yet.

• Hosted chats every week, where you can share your thoughts, ask for support, offer your own advice, and connect with others. (I’ll jump in too!)

• Book reviews, favorite products, hiking and restaurant reviews, and more.

There is so much potential on this platform, like podcasting (!!), writing collabs, guest articles, and more. As I’ve always said, all of my best ideas come from my community, so we’ll build this space together.

There’s also an opportunity to become a Founding Member—a Melissa U VIP. If you’ve been benefiting from my work and want to give back, registering as a Founding Member earns you my direct email address, priority advice-giving and customized boundary scripts, and my sincere gratitude for your support and faith.

Subscribe today and get your first post straight to your inbox on Friday—I’ve got some great boundaries advice headed your way, and some grand-slam book reviews I’ve been saving just for you. Thank you for your support, your connection, and most of all, the amazing ideas (like this one!) that YOU have brought to the table. I look forward to chatting with you here.

XO MU

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