I totally get what you’re saying, I have taken baby steps on my Substack journey and with each step, I ask myself ‘are you having fun?’, if the answer is yes, I take another step.
I’m very conscious that it’s so easy to get swallowed up into the machine and forget the joy of why you started out on here.
Cheers for the baby steps and constantly checking in 💕 it’s when we stop having fun we lose the point of doing it in the first place 🥰 thanks for sharing 🙏🏼
Elin, I feel I'm going through a similar journey as you. This part stuck out to me: "I also recently wrote about consistency, and how consistency for the sake of external validation, pressure or expectation will lead you nowhere but to misery. Whereas consistency for the sake of internal satisfaction and fulfillment is where you grow as an artist and business."
I've published consistently in the name of expectation, pressure, and validation for the last 4 years or so. It feels like I'm on a treadmill where no matter how hard I push myself, I go nowhere. Substack is so freaking cool because it feels like people here tune out the B.S. and can magically detect when someone is being more genuine in their writing. They can feel the love and care that a piece of writing is made with. That's so beautiful. Substack has saved my career in more ways than one. I feel like the incentives of this platform automatically nudge writers to create great work that they love. Can't wait to start writing my book here!! Something about it feels so damn right to me, and makes me want to stay consistent in the name of internal satisfaction like you said. It's an honor to write alongside you here on this platform.
Hi Tom! I’m so glad to hear how Substack has saved your writing career! I’m really enjoying your more personal pieces.
I think most creative careers (especially when we’ve used social media to build them in the first place) goes through these waves of having to constantly remind ourselves why and what we do to not fall into that treadmill process (essentially turning our dream job into a rat race of its own… but worse… because we have only ourselves to blame 😅) looking forward to see your exploration with writing your next book here!
I’m so glad you wrote about it! It’s going to be so so helpful to people.
I have to be careful about changing things and losing the magic along the way.
I love your writing and hope you can get back to the lightness that it brought you in the past. Looks like you have made the first steps to bring back that joy! 💕
Thank you, you’re a sweetheart! this entire text felt like an exhale in itself. Change and evolvement is part of the game but it’s difficult when we’re in the rut part of the wheel to keep at it. I always zoom out in those moments to reconnect with why I started in the first place, I think we’re still just in the beginning (both of us 🥰) I truly appreciate your support 💕
I lost my writing mojo as soon as I turned on paid subscriptions... I wasn't even aware of the additional pressure I was placing on myself. I'm finding my way back again slowly but surely, but it was an interesting lesson in the power of doing things for fun instead of money 😃
It’s fascinating how much seemingly small changes impacts the feeling of things! It’s why we must always try to know first hand 🥰 hope you find your mojo sooner than later 💕
I'm very confused about my substack, it started as a business thing (to replace my website and be a sort of lead magnet for clients), but I'm not good at being consistent so it started feeling like pressure... At the same time, I wanted it to be a creative outlet, and mixing the 2 feels a bit weird. Conclusion: I've not done much with my susbtack recently!
Also I find it hard to take the time to read everything! It sometimes feels like I have to add 'read substack' on my to do list, to remember to make the most of it!
Oh I feel you! And the analysis paralysis that inevitably comes when we get overwhelmed and confused as to how to actually move on…though sometimes I like to think that that time is needed too 🥰
As always, your realness is so refreshing! I appreciate your willingness to give us a peek behind the curtain. I sometimes ponder if I’m sailing alone in my inability to be consistent or commit to a lane. Thanks for reminding us of our humanness! And most importantly, celebrating it! ❤️
For me it’s a creative outlet, and I turn it to pressurize myself due to my perfectionist traits. I think myself of an ex-perfectionist because I’m far better than how I was before. Still I have this urge to put out the best work while I chose this as a creative outlet.
Yes 🙌 thanks for highlighting this love, it’s this isn’t it! Dreams change, die and grow constantly and this process requires flexibility and an open mind and heart doesn’t it 🥰
Exactly, they change, die and grow. They become less or more relevant, so we can't place so much weight on it being exactly as we imagined, a dream has its own pulse!
It’s a balance of feeling the pressure while maintaining the joy for it 🙏🏼 and I don’t think there’s any one answer. More so, it shifts constantly. I try to keep a journal of how I feel and react to different things I do so that I can keep reiterate according to what fits the life and season I’m currently in 🥰
This was always going to be hard, and I was actually curious to see how you'd do it.
Substack remains a text-based platform, and it's clear from the Summer readings people have been sharing. I think it's much harder to blend your type of craft with writing (here, I'm specifically talking about embroidery, not the broader conversation about the artist life).
I think defining the relationship (and if it's worth it) gets much harder as we move beyond the confines of traditional writing.
Glad you are re-imagining this, and happy to see you want to do it in a way that doesn't feel unbearably taxing.
So glad to have you here through the ride Patrick 🙏🏼
It’s fascinating because I really think the relationship we have with platforms is a rollercoaster ride no matter what platform it is. There will be moments when we fly and others when we fall, and it’s about finding an enjoyable middle in some way!
Totally agree. Platforms mutate, and what we want from them also changes. That's why I think the fewer the platforms one is on the better (unless, of course, they can hire assistants).
So far so good, Elin. Haven't seen the conversion rate that had hoped for though (so far). I think, partly, is because I do just one post per week. Will take this pace though, don't see the reason to ramp up content.
I hear you, I find Substack incredible as a lead magnet tool (growing a readership and getting other paid work) but it’s another deal conversion wise for the actual letters… I’ll keep experimenting in this area ✨ stretching ourselves too thin is never the answer either way!
You’re not alone, my friend — I felt so much pressure to after getting featured! I started thinking of only what others wanted to see and it was so hard to write freely. Taking a month off to recalibrate and just make art was a helpful reset.
When things get too structured and organized it’s like I’m dying a slow creative death. Yes, this! I’m in the experimenting mode on my stack, which can feel uncomfortable to some, but then they aren’t truly my people. Or that’s what I tell myself. I made an attempt to be upfront about what I offer on my pinned post and on my about Page, but that evolves as I evolve! I stay true to my once a month post that I call monthly vibes — on books, food, and art, but the rest is a mashup, and I’m OK with that which means I’m OK with myself. 🩷
“That’s why I can’t say that I’ll share X on Mondays or Y on Fridays. I wish I could, but I can’t. The reading would be like eating cardboard: dry and tasteless.”
I’ve been focusing on my impulses over consistency lately- showing up when I have something to say✨ such a beautiful way you’ve phrased it!
Thanks for sharing Tasha! Appreciate your feedback 🙏🏼 and yes, it all comes back to following our guts. I know I’m not alone in this, and the longer I’m at it it feels even more apparent that it’s a continuous loop of always circling back to what brings joy to keep going 💕 what are some things you’ve done/consider to change again?
Oh yes, trying is underrated! It’s the only way we can know for sure how we feel working in different ways 🥰 thanks for sharing this, I’m sure you’ll find your way ✨
I totally get what you’re saying, I have taken baby steps on my Substack journey and with each step, I ask myself ‘are you having fun?’, if the answer is yes, I take another step.
I’m very conscious that it’s so easy to get swallowed up into the machine and forget the joy of why you started out on here.
Great piece. 👏😘
Cheers for the baby steps and constantly checking in 💕 it’s when we stop having fun we lose the point of doing it in the first place 🥰 thanks for sharing 🙏🏼
Elin, I feel I'm going through a similar journey as you. This part stuck out to me: "I also recently wrote about consistency, and how consistency for the sake of external validation, pressure or expectation will lead you nowhere but to misery. Whereas consistency for the sake of internal satisfaction and fulfillment is where you grow as an artist and business."
I've published consistently in the name of expectation, pressure, and validation for the last 4 years or so. It feels like I'm on a treadmill where no matter how hard I push myself, I go nowhere. Substack is so freaking cool because it feels like people here tune out the B.S. and can magically detect when someone is being more genuine in their writing. They can feel the love and care that a piece of writing is made with. That's so beautiful. Substack has saved my career in more ways than one. I feel like the incentives of this platform automatically nudge writers to create great work that they love. Can't wait to start writing my book here!! Something about it feels so damn right to me, and makes me want to stay consistent in the name of internal satisfaction like you said. It's an honor to write alongside you here on this platform.
Hi Tom! I’m so glad to hear how Substack has saved your writing career! I’m really enjoying your more personal pieces.
I think most creative careers (especially when we’ve used social media to build them in the first place) goes through these waves of having to constantly remind ourselves why and what we do to not fall into that treadmill process (essentially turning our dream job into a rat race of its own… but worse… because we have only ourselves to blame 😅) looking forward to see your exploration with writing your next book here!
I’m so glad you wrote about it! It’s going to be so so helpful to people.
I have to be careful about changing things and losing the magic along the way.
I love your writing and hope you can get back to the lightness that it brought you in the past. Looks like you have made the first steps to bring back that joy! 💕
Thank you, you’re a sweetheart! this entire text felt like an exhale in itself. Change and evolvement is part of the game but it’s difficult when we’re in the rut part of the wheel to keep at it. I always zoom out in those moments to reconnect with why I started in the first place, I think we’re still just in the beginning (both of us 🥰) I truly appreciate your support 💕
I lost my writing mojo as soon as I turned on paid subscriptions... I wasn't even aware of the additional pressure I was placing on myself. I'm finding my way back again slowly but surely, but it was an interesting lesson in the power of doing things for fun instead of money 😃
It’s fascinating how much seemingly small changes impacts the feeling of things! It’s why we must always try to know first hand 🥰 hope you find your mojo sooner than later 💕
I'm very confused about my substack, it started as a business thing (to replace my website and be a sort of lead magnet for clients), but I'm not good at being consistent so it started feeling like pressure... At the same time, I wanted it to be a creative outlet, and mixing the 2 feels a bit weird. Conclusion: I've not done much with my susbtack recently!
Also I find it hard to take the time to read everything! It sometimes feels like I have to add 'read substack' on my to do list, to remember to make the most of it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts x
Oh I feel you! And the analysis paralysis that inevitably comes when we get overwhelmed and confused as to how to actually move on…though sometimes I like to think that that time is needed too 🥰
As always, your realness is so refreshing! I appreciate your willingness to give us a peek behind the curtain. I sometimes ponder if I’m sailing alone in my inability to be consistent or commit to a lane. Thanks for reminding us of our humanness! And most importantly, celebrating it! ❤️
Yay thanks so much Steph! And YES to humanness, it’s what makes it all more interesting isn’t it 🥰
For me it’s a creative outlet, and I turn it to pressurize myself due to my perfectionist traits. I think myself of an ex-perfectionist because I’m far better than how I was before. Still I have this urge to put out the best work while I chose this as a creative outlet.
Oh I feel you on the ex-perfectionist…. Me too! Writing in public helps to cross that boundary and allow yourself to be human
True.
Oo so interesting.
The bit I resonate big time with ‘as a dreamer there will always be more dreams’ 💜
Yes 🙌 thanks for highlighting this love, it’s this isn’t it! Dreams change, die and grow constantly and this process requires flexibility and an open mind and heart doesn’t it 🥰
Exactly, they change, die and grow. They become less or more relevant, so we can't place so much weight on it being exactly as we imagined, a dream has its own pulse!
💯🙌💖
For me it is a creative outlet but I definitely feel the urge for consistency, and indeed sometimes it takes the joy out of it…
I hear you!
It’s a balance of feeling the pressure while maintaining the joy for it 🙏🏼 and I don’t think there’s any one answer. More so, it shifts constantly. I try to keep a journal of how I feel and react to different things I do so that I can keep reiterate according to what fits the life and season I’m currently in 🥰
This was always going to be hard, and I was actually curious to see how you'd do it.
Substack remains a text-based platform, and it's clear from the Summer readings people have been sharing. I think it's much harder to blend your type of craft with writing (here, I'm specifically talking about embroidery, not the broader conversation about the artist life).
I think defining the relationship (and if it's worth it) gets much harder as we move beyond the confines of traditional writing.
Glad you are re-imagining this, and happy to see you want to do it in a way that doesn't feel unbearably taxing.
So glad to have you here through the ride Patrick 🙏🏼
It’s fascinating because I really think the relationship we have with platforms is a rollercoaster ride no matter what platform it is. There will be moments when we fly and others when we fall, and it’s about finding an enjoyable middle in some way!
How are you finding your ride so far?
Totally agree. Platforms mutate, and what we want from them also changes. That's why I think the fewer the platforms one is on the better (unless, of course, they can hire assistants).
So far so good, Elin. Haven't seen the conversion rate that had hoped for though (so far). I think, partly, is because I do just one post per week. Will take this pace though, don't see the reason to ramp up content.
I hear you, I find Substack incredible as a lead magnet tool (growing a readership and getting other paid work) but it’s another deal conversion wise for the actual letters… I’ll keep experimenting in this area ✨ stretching ourselves too thin is never the answer either way!
You’re not alone, my friend — I felt so much pressure to after getting featured! I started thinking of only what others wanted to see and it was so hard to write freely. Taking a month off to recalibrate and just make art was a helpful reset.
When things get too structured and organized it’s like I’m dying a slow creative death. Yes, this! I’m in the experimenting mode on my stack, which can feel uncomfortable to some, but then they aren’t truly my people. Or that’s what I tell myself. I made an attempt to be upfront about what I offer on my pinned post and on my about Page, but that evolves as I evolve! I stay true to my once a month post that I call monthly vibes — on books, food, and art, but the rest is a mashup, and I’m OK with that which means I’m OK with myself. 🩷
I SO relate to this Elin:
“That’s why I can’t say that I’ll share X on Mondays or Y on Fridays. I wish I could, but I can’t. The reading would be like eating cardboard: dry and tasteless.”
I’ve been focusing on my impulses over consistency lately- showing up when I have something to say✨ such a beautiful way you’ve phrased it!
Thanks for sharing Annika! It’s funny how our business minds can get in the way - it’s like a second hidden job to NOT interfere 😅💜
Fab 🥰
Thanks for sharing Tasha! Appreciate your feedback 🙏🏼 and yes, it all comes back to following our guts. I know I’m not alone in this, and the longer I’m at it it feels even more apparent that it’s a continuous loop of always circling back to what brings joy to keep going 💕 what are some things you’ve done/consider to change again?
Oh yes, trying is underrated! It’s the only way we can know for sure how we feel working in different ways 🥰 thanks for sharing this, I’m sure you’ll find your way ✨