I need to reduce my phone usage as it's affecting my posture and neck. However, I have consistently written 1000 words every day for my first book for the past six weeks. I have two more weeks left on my trip to continue writing, and after that, I need to figure out how to turn it into a book :) So all yessss for consistency.
Wohooo so amazing!! Totally relate to the posture issue (and fatigue in the hands?!) I tend to write mostly when carrying my baby during naptime so I’m walking around while typing which strangely works better than to sit down and type…
I'm tempted to try— that is writing on my phone. While, I'm actually trying to use my phone less and less, I just had the idea while reading your piece, that writing on my phone may actually serve me. I'm a hyper perfectionist, which makes me over-critical of my work and holds me back a lot in my writing. What if writing on my phone could somehow circumvent that inner critic? Because I don't see it as "official" as writing on a laptop.
It’s interesting you bring this up because I actually find that to be my experience! To write on the phone feels like I’m “chatting” more or less which is also the time of intimate writing style that I enjoy and feel is representative of what I want to share.
I’m with you on reducing phone use, but on the contrary I open my computer maybe 2 times per week when there are admin stuff I simply can’t do on the phone at night. I’ve also put my settings to dark mode to avoid the harsh white light from the phone. It’s white if writing drafts straight on substack web via the phone so I do in notes first (with black background) and then I copy it over 💫 let me know if you try it!
What an impressive list of essays! I started on Substack in December and I'm still finding my way and voice. Sometimes, building my little Substack nest here seems daunting, not creative, so I'm more than eager to read your essays to find back that spark that brought me here. But I alaways read your natural and heart-felt pubs with aa great interest! ❤️
Thank you so much Sylwia! I’m so happy to have you here 🥰 and I truly hope you’ll find the spark back to see your space as a pressure free outlet that bring you creative and fulfilling joy more than anything 🙏🏼💫
I want to try to write more on my phone. I get in my head that I have to be in a certain place to write, but sometimes stepping out of that and using the environment I am currently in may help with the creative process.
This was a very good article to read; consistency really is key🙌
I love that you write on your phone! I do as well — I have Long Covid and find it hard to concentrate. If I can write in ten minute increments throughout the day, eventually that’s an essay, an article, a review. A little eventually goes a long way.
This is incredible! 60,000 words in 5 months is seriously impressive, and I love that you were able to find those pockets of time to create. It's so inspiring to see your dedication and how it's grown such a supportive community.
Very inspiring. I wonder too if I could have written more in those infant days of my children. But they took so much of my energy already! Now I find I have more creative energy ready to burst out but I'm strapped for time with my part time day job and also child care. I think I should really start trying this "steal pockets of time" to work idea and even if it means writing on the smartphone (that I'm trying to use less)! Maybe creating with it should not be compared to consuming with it ;)
I’ve come to terms with a high screentime if I can honestly say it’s been used for creating and not consuming. I’m with my children alone half the day before my husband finishes his meetings, and then I take notes on paper when I get an idea, or I work on my drawings and embroidery (because I want them to see me being creative which has made them create more too or so I believe!) and then I transcribe it over on the phone at night 🥰 I feel happier and a better mum when I can create despite being sleep deprived (my kids are both under 4….) and low energy. To create and steal those pockets GIvE me energy!
Congratulations on 60,000 words. What an accomplishment! I am sharing something like this soon as I just hit 100 posts and thought it would be convenient for readers and will maybe shed some light on older writings that didn’t get a lot of traffic when I first started out.
Elin, just wanted to drop you a quick note and tell you that I think you are a very gifted artist. My father and mother were both artists in their spare time. I also dabbled in it by sketching rural landscapes and used primarily charcoal and pencil. I didn't stay with it but I wish I would have. I truly appreciate your work.
Thank you so much Jim, this note really touched me 🙏🏼 I’ve strangely struggled to fully feel like an artist despite it being such an inherent part of who I am (and how I’ve made my living for the past 7 years) so this truly warms me. Thank you for sharing! Appreciate you being here
So impressive and inspiring! It's so hard to find pockets of time to write around our busy lives, but yes it is so fulfilling to have that creative outlet outside of work and motherhood. It's good for the soul!
Oh yes it really is, and there are seasons when it’s possible and others when it’s not too and for me it’s been about being ok with both 🙏🏼 and to enjoy when it works 🥰 lovely to have you!
I need to reduce my phone usage as it's affecting my posture and neck. However, I have consistently written 1000 words every day for my first book for the past six weeks. I have two more weeks left on my trip to continue writing, and after that, I need to figure out how to turn it into a book :) So all yessss for consistency.
Wohooo so amazing!! Totally relate to the posture issue (and fatigue in the hands?!) I tend to write mostly when carrying my baby during naptime so I’m walking around while typing which strangely works better than to sit down and type…
I'm tempted to try— that is writing on my phone. While, I'm actually trying to use my phone less and less, I just had the idea while reading your piece, that writing on my phone may actually serve me. I'm a hyper perfectionist, which makes me over-critical of my work and holds me back a lot in my writing. What if writing on my phone could somehow circumvent that inner critic? Because I don't see it as "official" as writing on a laptop.
It’s interesting you bring this up because I actually find that to be my experience! To write on the phone feels like I’m “chatting” more or less which is also the time of intimate writing style that I enjoy and feel is representative of what I want to share.
I’m with you on reducing phone use, but on the contrary I open my computer maybe 2 times per week when there are admin stuff I simply can’t do on the phone at night. I’ve also put my settings to dark mode to avoid the harsh white light from the phone. It’s white if writing drafts straight on substack web via the phone so I do in notes first (with black background) and then I copy it over 💫 let me know if you try it!
What an impressive list of essays! I started on Substack in December and I'm still finding my way and voice. Sometimes, building my little Substack nest here seems daunting, not creative, so I'm more than eager to read your essays to find back that spark that brought me here. But I alaways read your natural and heart-felt pubs with aa great interest! ❤️
Thank you so much Sylwia! I’m so happy to have you here 🥰 and I truly hope you’ll find the spark back to see your space as a pressure free outlet that bring you creative and fulfilling joy more than anything 🙏🏼💫
What an awesome catalogue you’ve created!! It makes me so happy to look at all those posts!
Also, thanks for always taking us behind the scenes of your creative journey. 🥰
Oh Mika, always a ray of sunshine ☀️ I’m so honored to have you with me 🥰
I want to try to write more on my phone. I get in my head that I have to be in a certain place to write, but sometimes stepping out of that and using the environment I am currently in may help with the creative process.
This was a very good article to read; consistency really is key🙌
Thanks Karisa! Yes that’s really how it’s been for me 💫
Writing with your thumbs can be maddening.
But as has been stated, it is also freeing because the point is to capture the gist before it melts away. Sculpt it into prize-worthy prose later.
I began walking in the evenings last summer because everywhere you looked everyone was banging on about ten thousand steps, ten thousand steps!
It takes me 90 minutes to get that.
And invariably ideas come which are obviously gems. So thumbwrites it is.
Love the thumbswrites expression and cheers on you for the walks 👏👏
Thanks, Elin.
I love that you write on your phone! I do as well — I have Long Covid and find it hard to concentrate. If I can write in ten minute increments throughout the day, eventually that’s an essay, an article, a review. A little eventually goes a long way.
That’s it! A little eventually goes a long way 💞
This is incredible! 60,000 words in 5 months is seriously impressive, and I love that you were able to find those pockets of time to create. It's so inspiring to see your dedication and how it's grown such a supportive community.
Thank you Ayesha!! This means a lot 🥰
I love watching how you use Substack! It definitely inspires me and helps turn the wheels in my brain.❤️
Wohoo thanks Olivia!! Thrilled to have you along with me 🙏🏼🥰
Very inspiring. I wonder too if I could have written more in those infant days of my children. But they took so much of my energy already! Now I find I have more creative energy ready to burst out but I'm strapped for time with my part time day job and also child care. I think I should really start trying this "steal pockets of time" to work idea and even if it means writing on the smartphone (that I'm trying to use less)! Maybe creating with it should not be compared to consuming with it ;)
I’ve come to terms with a high screentime if I can honestly say it’s been used for creating and not consuming. I’m with my children alone half the day before my husband finishes his meetings, and then I take notes on paper when I get an idea, or I work on my drawings and embroidery (because I want them to see me being creative which has made them create more too or so I believe!) and then I transcribe it over on the phone at night 🥰 I feel happier and a better mum when I can create despite being sleep deprived (my kids are both under 4….) and low energy. To create and steal those pockets GIvE me energy!
That is why you're so inspiring! I should pick up some creative work too to create together with the kids! But please do get some sleep sometimes :)
Congratulations on 60,000 words. What an accomplishment! I am sharing something like this soon as I just hit 100 posts and thought it would be convenient for readers and will maybe shed some light on older writings that didn’t get a lot of traffic when I first started out.
Wow 100 posts congratulations!! 🎊 that’s a very good idea, repurposing is always a good idea haha 💫🙏🏼
Thank you!
Elin, just wanted to drop you a quick note and tell you that I think you are a very gifted artist. My father and mother were both artists in their spare time. I also dabbled in it by sketching rural landscapes and used primarily charcoal and pencil. I didn't stay with it but I wish I would have. I truly appreciate your work.
Thank you so much Jim, this note really touched me 🙏🏼 I’ve strangely struggled to fully feel like an artist despite it being such an inherent part of who I am (and how I’ve made my living for the past 7 years) so this truly warms me. Thank you for sharing! Appreciate you being here
So impressive and inspiring! It's so hard to find pockets of time to write around our busy lives, but yes it is so fulfilling to have that creative outlet outside of work and motherhood. It's good for the soul!
Oh yes it really is, and there are seasons when it’s possible and others when it’s not too and for me it’s been about being ok with both 🙏🏼 and to enjoy when it works 🥰 lovely to have you!