Jay’s Substack

I'm on Vacation

I'm sitting on a terrace in my favorite neighborhood of Paris as I write this.

Sep 17 • 

Jay Swanson

26

2

My Mom Died

My mom died two days ago, or maybe it was three now; it's hard to tell with time zones and early morning phone calls from family waiting to go to bed.

Sep 3 • 

Jay Swanson

146

55

August 2025

When Every Day Is Sunday

An ode to August

Aug 20 • 

Jay Swanson

27

Holy Sh*t There’s Just Too Much to Talk About

I kissed someone beautiful last week.

Aug 6 • 

Jay Swanson

42

8

July 2025

Think In Decades

“You can’t accomplish anything of real importance in a year.

Jul 23 • 

Jay Swanson

36

7

June 2025

My Greatest Weakness in Paris

As someone who arrived in Paris completely broke, twice, I am not an expert in hotels.

Jun 25 • 

Jay Swanson

44

7

Where Have All The [Tourists] Gone?

This was supposed to be the year that made up for how badly Paris fared during the 2024 Olympics.

Jun 11 • 

Jay Swanson

81

57

May 2025

It’s Taken My Whole Life to Get To This Point

This last week a lot of different things have happened that seem to signal that maybe… just maybe… I’ve built a bit of a career for myself.

May 28 • 

Jay Swanson

59

13

Sharing Life in Paris

A recurring conversation among certain friends has centered around the onslaught of Paris content cascading through their phones from people who don’t…

May 14 • 

Jay Swanson

27

2

April 2025

Don’t Let Them Steal From You

Safety in travel keeps coming up a lot.

Apr 30 • 

Jay Swanson

29

2

My Face Itches

I got a gum graft last week.

Apr 16 • 

Jay Swanson

42

5

Spring of the Surreal

I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy this last weekend, one of the great pilgrimages of modern Americans and Europeans alike.

Apr 2 • 

Jay Swanson

41

8