#10 is so true! Substack does remind me of the early years of blogging, and I enjoy SO much hanging out here with so many inspiring and aspiring writers! But #1 is the one I needed to read today - thank you for the beautiful reminder Laura 💛
Thank you for sharing. Number 9 in particular resonated. A few weeks ago I was feeling so overwhelmed with Substack. I was comparing and getting disheartened and at the same time feeling panicked that I had to write more. Instead I just walked away. Didn’t check my feed for quite a few days and didn’t even try to write.
I’ve now come back with a clearer head and in a happier place.
P.S. I’ve bought your book but I’m having to wait a while for my mother in law to bring it over to Indonesia from the UK for me!
I also really resonate with this. I’ve (unintentionally) taken a break from Substack recently as I could feel the pressure and comparison creeping in. I’m now taking myself back to my original ‘why’ of the reasons I started writing here 🤍
I really relate to this sentiment. Over the holidays I took a six week break from substack because I found myself getting discouraged and falling into a comparison trap, plus also overwhelmed at how much incredible content/writing exists on here for me to read, and the endless amounts of inspiration. My brain was on overload. It sort of felt like being in an ice cream store with wayyyy too many flavors to choose from. But after the break I was able to come back to the platform in a clearer place where it’s easier to let the inspiration come to me gently rather than overwhelm me.
Interesting . Thanks. I write creative non fiction flash because its all I have time for . Mostly . Every few years or so I seem to become consumed enough by a longer story that I actually write it . Right now Im just throwing the Flash out there when I have the time . If people like it , thats cool. Peace.
Oh thank you so much, so lovely of you to say so! Yes, the opportunity for writers to get paid here is just huge, it makes all the difference in the world.
9 resonates as I deleted insta app this morning as it was not nourishing me and was overwhelming me.
Also number one, really was a balm to read today 💛 Number 10 got me liking and commenting and I will be conscious to do this more on posts I read and enjoy too. Thank you xxx
I’m so glad it resonated! Quite a few people seem to be stepping away from Instagram lately... which I totally get... I hope January brings you a clear headspace. 💛
I'm constantly having to remind myself that popular isn't the same as perfect! I'm newish to this platform and while I constantly remind myself that I'm just slowly building my little Substack house so that I can eventually invite people in, I sometimes get frustrated that I can't just get on with it and throw a huge housewarming party already! As a mother-writer-photographer, your words and images resonate so deeply. Thank you, Laura, for your beautiful insights. 💕
I am also newer to Substack (started last November) and I have also struggled with this! But now I have found wonderful connections and I feel a lot calmer about my pace of writing and learning thanks to all the wonderful people who are welcome newbies like us to the Substack party💕 it takes some time, but I'm sure you will find the right people for your Substack 😄
Thanks so much, Nika. That's so kind of you 💕. I'm glad to hear that you've found some wonderful connections. It's happening for me a little more now that I've stopped hiding behind insecurities and actually started engaging with people! Thanks so much for the encouragement and understanding. 😊
I love your story telling book it completely shifted my thinking, it made me think story first. Even though I write about Sri Lankan food there a rich story to be told about history, people, culture, migration ...thank you so much your book is by my bed. Reminds me I need to dip in and read it again. And, thanks for your beautiful words. 🙏🏾
Beautiful Laura. You are such a beacon of generosity in this space.
I love what you write about what we choose to hone in - the moments that bring us serenity - that’s topical for me. My youngest has a virus and I’ve created outside of the chaos of that this week. It’s soothed me because I’ve needed that for my own wellbeing. It’s helped me feel calm and accomplished and deal with the stress of it all, the laundry and my empty tummy from being so over stimulated by it all I’ve missed meals. Creativity is my life force especially in harder times I think. ✨💫🧚♀️
I recently finished reading your book (it was very encouraging and helpful!). I love all of these points, but right now #5 rings truest for me. I’ve been noticing that my art, photos and writing (on the various platforms I use) are getting less engagement than ever. It’s quite discouraging and I have to remember that ultimately I’m doing this for myself. If other people want to join me (and I hope they do) I have to trust I’ll find them eventually. But it’s hard when I pour hours and energy into something that no one sees. Still, I shall persist!
It’s so hard, isn’t it? My engagement is way down on Instagram compared to a few years ago. I definitely don’t think it’s a reflection on our content, though. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! 💛
My Instagram is like a ghost town nowadays, but I am certain I’m a more skilled photographer now than 5-10 years ago! I am hoping Substack will prove to be a bit kinder (so far, so good!). 😊
#10 is so true! Substack does remind me of the early years of blogging, and I enjoy SO much hanging out here with so many inspiring and aspiring writers! But #1 is the one I needed to read today - thank you for the beautiful reminder Laura 💛
Ahh, I’m so glad you found it helpful. Thank you for reading!
Thank you for sharing. Number 9 in particular resonated. A few weeks ago I was feeling so overwhelmed with Substack. I was comparing and getting disheartened and at the same time feeling panicked that I had to write more. Instead I just walked away. Didn’t check my feed for quite a few days and didn’t even try to write.
I’ve now come back with a clearer head and in a happier place.
P.S. I’ve bought your book but I’m having to wait a while for my mother in law to bring it over to Indonesia from the UK for me!
A clear head helps so much, doesn’t it? I really hope you will enjoy the book 💛
I also really resonate with this. I’ve (unintentionally) taken a break from Substack recently as I could feel the pressure and comparison creeping in. I’m now taking myself back to my original ‘why’ of the reasons I started writing here 🤍
Sometimes, stepping back for a while is the best thing to do. 🤍
I really relate to this sentiment. Over the holidays I took a six week break from substack because I found myself getting discouraged and falling into a comparison trap, plus also overwhelmed at how much incredible content/writing exists on here for me to read, and the endless amounts of inspiration. My brain was on overload. It sort of felt like being in an ice cream store with wayyyy too many flavors to choose from. But after the break I was able to come back to the platform in a clearer place where it’s easier to let the inspiration come to me gently rather than overwhelm me.
Yes to it being like an ice cream store! There is just so much good stuff to consume that I find myself getting sidetracked a lot!
Yesss to all of them 🥰
💛💛💛
👍♾️💙
Interesting . Thanks. I write creative non fiction flash because its all I have time for . Mostly . Every few years or so I seem to become consumed enough by a longer story that I actually write it . Right now Im just throwing the Flash out there when I have the time . If people like it , thats cool. Peace.
Oh I love that! Thank you for reading. 💫
Oh thank you so much, so lovely of you to say so! Yes, the opportunity for writers to get paid here is just huge, it makes all the difference in the world.
This is so beautiful and I am so glad I found you! Number ten is my favourite, and your generous ways online are so heartswelling! 🤍
I’m so glad I found you! And thank you. Community over competition, always 💘
Oh I love this post and needed to read it 🙌🏽
9 resonates as I deleted insta app this morning as it was not nourishing me and was overwhelming me.
Also number one, really was a balm to read today 💛 Number 10 got me liking and commenting and I will be conscious to do this more on posts I read and enjoy too. Thank you xxx
I’m so glad it resonated! Quite a few people seem to be stepping away from Instagram lately... which I totally get... I hope January brings you a clear headspace. 💛
I'm constantly having to remind myself that popular isn't the same as perfect! I'm newish to this platform and while I constantly remind myself that I'm just slowly building my little Substack house so that I can eventually invite people in, I sometimes get frustrated that I can't just get on with it and throw a huge housewarming party already! As a mother-writer-photographer, your words and images resonate so deeply. Thank you, Laura, for your beautiful insights. 💕
Building takes time! I’m so glad it resonated, thank you for reading. 💛
I am also newer to Substack (started last November) and I have also struggled with this! But now I have found wonderful connections and I feel a lot calmer about my pace of writing and learning thanks to all the wonderful people who are welcome newbies like us to the Substack party💕 it takes some time, but I'm sure you will find the right people for your Substack 😄
Thanks so much, Nika. That's so kind of you 💕. I'm glad to hear that you've found some wonderful connections. It's happening for me a little more now that I've stopped hiding behind insecurities and actually started engaging with people! Thanks so much for the encouragement and understanding. 😊
This is encouraging!
So well put. I completely agree with all you said 🤍
I loved blogger back in the day. It’s was such a fun place to be wasn’t it!
It was!
I think some people are still using it!
I am definitely adding your book to my list. What you've written here is so helpful and reassuring, thank you.
I’m so glad! Thank you for reading.
Me too!
This is excellent ... Number 10 is our watchword but all of your points hit the spot, perfectly. Thank you. Barrie
Ahh, great! Thank you for reading!
I love your story telling book it completely shifted my thinking, it made me think story first. Even though I write about Sri Lankan food there a rich story to be told about history, people, culture, migration ...thank you so much your book is by my bed. Reminds me I need to dip in and read it again. And, thanks for your beautiful words. 🙏🏾
I'm so happy to hear this, Ranji! Story first, always...
Beautiful Laura. You are such a beacon of generosity in this space.
I love what you write about what we choose to hone in - the moments that bring us serenity - that’s topical for me. My youngest has a virus and I’ve created outside of the chaos of that this week. It’s soothed me because I’ve needed that for my own wellbeing. It’s helped me feel calm and accomplished and deal with the stress of it all, the laundry and my empty tummy from being so over stimulated by it all I’ve missed meals. Creativity is my life force especially in harder times I think. ✨💫🧚♀️
Oh gosh yes, I hear you. It was lockdown that really cemented that for me. Thank you for reading, and get well soon to your youngest. 💛
I recently finished reading your book (it was very encouraging and helpful!). I love all of these points, but right now #5 rings truest for me. I’ve been noticing that my art, photos and writing (on the various platforms I use) are getting less engagement than ever. It’s quite discouraging and I have to remember that ultimately I’m doing this for myself. If other people want to join me (and I hope they do) I have to trust I’ll find them eventually. But it’s hard when I pour hours and energy into something that no one sees. Still, I shall persist!
It’s so hard, isn’t it? My engagement is way down on Instagram compared to a few years ago. I definitely don’t think it’s a reflection on our content, though. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! 💛
My Instagram is like a ghost town nowadays, but I am certain I’m a more skilled photographer now than 5-10 years ago! I am hoping Substack will prove to be a bit kinder (so far, so good!). 😊
Substack is definitely kinder! 🫶