Journal | #MINNAatHome

At Home With: Sam Slupski

By Eimy Figueroa

A writer exploring homemaking, wellness and more.

Journal | #MINNAatHome

Step into the world of Sam Slupski, our most recent featured creator for our "At Home With" series.

Sam, based just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, has turned their space into a warm and nourishing haven. We’ve been long time fans of their love for cooking, gardening, and creating a cozy atmosphere prioritizing a sense of comfort.

Through their newsletter, Healing Field Notes, and upcoming book "UNTIL TENDER," Sam shares personal essays and insights on wellness, mental health, and creating a nourishing home.

MINNA: What’s your name and pronouns? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Sam Slupski and I use they/them pronouns. I’m a writer exploring topics about home, wellness, health, and healing. I have a newsletter called Healing Field Notes where I share creative non-fiction essays. I also share a lot about my experience with my own mental health and homemaking journey, alikng with some fashion content, over on my Instagram at @theyaresam. When I’m not writing, I’m cooking, gardening, and love to be outside. I also love to make food for my friends and go drink a nice glass of natural wine on a patio. Everything I do and believe in centers around this idea of nourishment. How am I nourishing myself–phyically, emotionally, mentally–and how are my actions nourishing others, too?

Also! I have a book coming out with Game Over Books in August called UNTIL TENDER, which is now available for pre-order! This book is a story of origin stories, belonging, healing, and of course, nourishment.

Where are you located, how long have you been making your space a home?

SAM: I live just outside of St. Louis, Missouri and my husband and I have lived here since December 2022. I started making it a home immediately, starting first with painting and small renovations, and have been adding details such as vintage and thrifted decor items, rugs, and plants ever since. The Midwest has a such a special charm to it and it will always be my home, even if I decide to experience other places.

If you could describe your home in three words, what would they be?

SAM: Warm, Nourishing, Cozy.

We love your newsletter, Healing Field Notes. How did it start?

Sam: Thank you! I started writing a newsletter in 2019 because I always wanted to have a community and audience outside of Instagram because, let’s be honest, these apps can change at a moment’s notice and are ultimatly owned by white men whose singlualr purpose is to buy our attention. I love to write longer form essays and they often allow for more room for nuance than an Instagram caption. I think newsletters crack open opportunities o dig deeper into a topic, a thought, and have room to experiment. It also allows me to have conversations with my community and share resources from and with others.

What are your favorite ways to recharge at home?

SAM: I recharge at home by cooking, re-watching my favorite TV shows like Gilmore Girls, and rearranging my home. I’m currently on a Vanderpump Rules kick, too. But when I’m feeling like I really need to recharge, I make a big pot of soup and invite my friends over, since I’m an extrovert, and recharge most with company and community.

What is your favorite meal or craft to enjoy at home?

SAM: I love any kind of soup. The preparation of chopping and slicing is incredibly medatative for me. I love being able to touch all the different textures and think about spices. Soup is also one of those meals that you can make a lot of to keep eating throughout the week, which is something that’s important to me as someone with a chronic illness. I don’t always have the energy to make a meal, so having something that I can come back to and be nourished by is a must.

When do you feel your most creative?

SAM: I feel my most creative when I’m surrounded by other creative people. I love to dig deeper into the vulnerable and tender. I find when I can tap into bigger feelings, I feel creatively energized. I also feel my most creative when I’m traveling to new places. I feel so connected to place and landscape, so when I am able to feel present in a beautiful place, I feel ready to create.

If you could have a sit down with any three people, someone you know/don’t know/alive/dead, who would they be?

SAM: I would say Hanif Abdurraqib, Hilary Duff, Mary Oliver.

Where can people connect with you and your work?

SAM: You can connect with me on Instagram at @theyaresam, subscribe to my newsletter and you can pre-order my book, UNTIL TENDER, at Game Over Books.