Writing on Substack can feel intimidating sometimes
which makes it even more important to keep writing.
Something I’ve contemplated on lately is how Substack (the platform I use to host this newsletter-blog) can feel intimidating at times.
It’s like joining a football team where everyone’s a leg ahead of you… You cannot not see it, yet you can choose to not be limited by it and focus on the thrill to be included.
On
there are writers and readers. Generally avid intellectuals (read: deep thinkers).To share with others who also consume and produce words makes you inevitably self-conscious about how you formulate yourself. To claim otherwise would feel slightly utopian (like the footballer who claims to not care if he misses a shot).
Especially as the written word naturally becomes reflective of someone’s ability to express ideas. And who doesn’t want to be a master of one’s own thought processing?
To write in a way that effortlessly conveys the message of what you actually want to say, is a true art form in its own right. And the more you read the more it gets clear who has mastered the art and who is still in apprenticeship. Simultaneously your own self-consciousness will question whether you too, in fact, appear as an apprentice, which in turn tickles the imposter.
You get hesitant and wonder;
Why would anyone read my stories when they can choose to read someone else’s?
I’m scared to be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Yet I know it’s inevitable. Statistically, the more readers the greater the chance that someone will read something completely different into my words than what the initial intent was.
And the only thing I can do in such an instant is to accept it, be at peace with it and let it go. For someone else’s interpretation and experience of my writing is out of my realm of control.
As a non-native English speaker, I can sometimes question myself whether my linguistic limitations are too obvious and make my writing unpleasant to read.
There’s been more than one occasion where I had to google the definition of words used in other writers’ essays.
“Wow” I thought. That’s really clever. Maybe my straight to the point and relatively easy to read articles aren’t enough to bring me closer to my dream?
I admire the writers who write in a way that you forget you’re reading. Where the sentences float into each other and create a natural flow of thoughts running through your mind.
I love the pieces that leave me with more questions than answers (?!), that provokes something deeper and open for an opportunity to continue the conversation (whether internally or externally).
I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter…
If I appear as an apprentice I think it means I’ve been successful in conveying my core belief that we, as artists and creatives, are forever learners.
There’s no final destination where one suddenly “arrives” because the art is in the journey. It’s in the creative life that we design for ourselves, which in and of itself is an art of exploration and development.
So, I hereby assume my role as the apprentice of writing. Even in my second language. And I’m committed to keep at it, no matter how intimidated I may feel at times by the ones who’ve been at their apprenticeship for decades longer than me.
It’s ok to sometimes feel intimidated, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, which in itself is a sign that you’re onto something great.
What about you? Do you also feel intimidated by the Substack platform sometimes? And if not, I’d love to hear your story too! Let’s continue the conversation in the comments…
Behind the scenes;
As always, this type of questioning or statement that challenges a deeper vulnerability is more prone to spark interesting conversations (which is part of my mission on here…!)
For example, the note I shared while working on this piece in which I asked the same question of intimidation on Substack, got quite a broad range of responses…
(Huge thank you to
for contributing to the conversation on Notes! I greatly appreciate you!)This is very fascinating, because the varied interpretation of the question/statement concretely proves one of the points I made in this very essay; That everyone will read their own realities into whatever you write.
For example, some interpreted intimidation as a negative trait connected with competitiveness and/or fuelling the imposter. This makes perfect sense, because we can easily feel blocked to express ourselves when intimidated.
Others see it as a positive thing of inspiration and encouragement to keep pushing and developing. To feel intimidated means we recognise the vast talent present but we can still see the opportunity to get a chance to have a slice of the pie. It’s thrilling really.
As always… Grateful to have you here and thank you for reading! And don’t forget to continue the chat in the comments…
Elin, xx
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Stop worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow has its own worries
You’ll be judged no matter what you do; so you might as well be judged for being you
Hi there, new here?
I’m Elin, Swedish (expat) artist and mother of two who have plunged into the unknown of Substack as a new writing home. Despite having 500k+ across mainstream social media platforms for my embroidery art, I decided to start afresh here. It’s hard, thrilling, heavy and joyful all in ones. Come and join me for the ride if you haven’t done so already! You can expect thought-provoking and poignant writing about creativity, life and soulful art business with a touch of motherhood.
You can also check out the how, why, who and what in the post below:
Ah, I think you read my mind today. My imposter syndrome was asking this very thing, “why would people want to read my articles when there are so many others to read?”
Thanks for making my worries seem normal. ♥️ the art is the journey - I love that.
As someone just getting started on Substack, this spoke to my heart. Thank you for sharing this.