Reading your story about letting go of expectations and embracing the twists and turns of your Substack journey is so inspiring, Mika. It's like a gentle reminder that creativity isn't a straight line, it's more like a scenic hike with unexpected detours. I'm learning to trust the process, even when it feels messy and uncertain. As you beautifully put it, "Everything will come together in its own time."
Love the positivity in this post! I'm doing a lot of what you describe and found it helpful to read a summary - plus, I'm inspired to be less focused on the stats. A few days ago, a new paid subscriber unsubscribed just after my latest post came out, and my head was all over why they might have done so. It just isn't worth it! Keep doing what you're doing 👌
Im so glad that you are creating a lovely space for you and your readers that’s sustainable and fun.
I think I would do the same thing as you if someone unsubscribed from paid. It’s so easy to wonder. I’m glad you are able to recognise it isn’t worth it!
Oh and I also loved the piece about being inspired to try new things by others' approaches, but not getting lost in negative comparison. One of the things I love most about Substack is the diversity here!
I feel like I have only uncovered a small portion of Substack! It’s getting bigger all the time! And I’m so glad we attract really awesome, wise readers and writers!
This sounds sorta "controversial" but I an ditching the mindset that I should monetize my Substack, to where it earns me more than buying a few coffees every month. I want to put my heart into creative play, and I know my work is worth being paid for. However, I don't want to add yet another thing on my to-do list other than write really good stuff and building a community here. I still have paid turned on and will invite people to support if they want, but it's not a big priority for now.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I think it’s a great plan! The sooner I let go of whether someone will or will not pay, the sooner I can concentrate on showing up and producing content that feels right - with nothing expected in returned.
I still dream of having a passive income somehow, I just don’t know how yet. 😊
As always Mika, another one that hits home, thank you. I'd say, personally, that I've given myself permission to be a little selfish with sticking to the habits I want to become second nature. Such as getting up early to journal and workout and not being responsible for automatically becoming the kids entertainer should they happen to wake up. This has been hard to do as a mom, but I think so much clearer if I have that uninterrupted time
I wish I figured this out earlier on in my mummy journey! I just didn't know how useful it was! I was just used to rolling out of bed and hit the bed running. I'm so so glad you're doing this for yourself and your fam!!
Not looking at my metrics is HUGE. You're so right that the numbers go up and down, and focusing on them can quickly suck the joy out of creating. I promised myself when I started on Substack that I would only look at the analytics once a month to find out what's working, what's not. I turned off unsubscribe notifications, which is just soul-deflating to see haha. Much happier without it.
Sound advice. I love the idea about not looking at the numbers on the dashboard. This is something I'm struggling with here on Substack, but also elsewhere. I need to focus on creating and not so much the numbers!
Love love love what you say about moving from consuming and planning to actually creating something. I'm definitely the type to fool myself that I'm doing something, whereas I'm actually just procrastinating by planning and consuming relevant content.
As a fellow perfectionist and over thinker, I both love and NEED these tips!
My personal favorites:
1. Just start! I delayed launching my Substack newsletter for so long because I thought I needed to have the perfect name, perfect logo, perfect publishing schedule figured out ahead of time. In the end my mentor @dan blank encouraged me to just start, and it was honestly the best advice! I’ve learnt far more from actually doing the work than I could have done on my own before starting.
2. Do what works for you. I felt a lot of pressure early on to publish weekly, but it just doesn’t fit my lifestyle. As a mum of 3, I’m writing in the tiny pockets of my day. I decided to let go of what’s best for the “algorithm” and do what’s best for me, my mental health, and my readers. I’d rather publish less often but be happy with what I’m sharing, than be stressed trying to churn out content more quickly than I can keep up and which ends up not being great quality or value for my readers.
Thanks Mika for breaking it down like this in easy to understand mindset reframes and actionable steps!
Yes, yes, yes!! Mika inspired me to just crack on and get started earlier on my sparkly as-yet-nothing-published Substack that had been sitting there, all alone, for months and months ... often our biggest hurdle is that very first one! So happy you are writing now x
I’ve been giving myself permission to take a break from deep personal writing which was so necessary for me but also emotionally draining. It resonated with many and it was tempting to continue to “provide” more of that, but it wasn’t the right time. I’ll be back to it, but for now, a few less personal and more actionable pieces.
(And also; I need to stop looking at numbers! I am getting close to 100 subscribers and can’t help myself! Maybe once I get to 100 my reward will be to use your tip and bookmark the new post page!)
Reading your story about letting go of expectations and embracing the twists and turns of your Substack journey is so inspiring, Mika. It's like a gentle reminder that creativity isn't a straight line, it's more like a scenic hike with unexpected detours. I'm learning to trust the process, even when it feels messy and uncertain. As you beautifully put it, "Everything will come together in its own time."
I loved your comment so much, I had to share it on Notes! 💕
Love the positivity in this post! I'm doing a lot of what you describe and found it helpful to read a summary - plus, I'm inspired to be less focused on the stats. A few days ago, a new paid subscriber unsubscribed just after my latest post came out, and my head was all over why they might have done so. It just isn't worth it! Keep doing what you're doing 👌
Im so glad that you are creating a lovely space for you and your readers that’s sustainable and fun.
I think I would do the same thing as you if someone unsubscribed from paid. It’s so easy to wonder. I’m glad you are able to recognise it isn’t worth it!
Keep doing you xx
Oh and I also loved the piece about being inspired to try new things by others' approaches, but not getting lost in negative comparison. One of the things I love most about Substack is the diversity here!
I feel like I have only uncovered a small portion of Substack! It’s getting bigger all the time! And I’m so glad we attract really awesome, wise readers and writers!
Yes, always more to explore!
You really are a gem! Thank you for sharing so generously.
You are so so welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment. xx
Mika, your words never fail to make me inspired and joyful. Agree all the five.
Your kind comments are always appreciated Shanjitha 💕💕
This was so helpful. Thank you, I now follow you bc of this post! 🖤
I know it can all be a bit overwhelming, so hopefully it helps a bit xx
This sounds sorta "controversial" but I an ditching the mindset that I should monetize my Substack, to where it earns me more than buying a few coffees every month. I want to put my heart into creative play, and I know my work is worth being paid for. However, I don't want to add yet another thing on my to-do list other than write really good stuff and building a community here. I still have paid turned on and will invite people to support if they want, but it's not a big priority for now.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I think it’s a great plan! The sooner I let go of whether someone will or will not pay, the sooner I can concentrate on showing up and producing content that feels right - with nothing expected in returned.
I still dream of having a passive income somehow, I just don’t know how yet. 😊
As always Mika, another one that hits home, thank you. I'd say, personally, that I've given myself permission to be a little selfish with sticking to the habits I want to become second nature. Such as getting up early to journal and workout and not being responsible for automatically becoming the kids entertainer should they happen to wake up. This has been hard to do as a mom, but I think so much clearer if I have that uninterrupted time
I wish I figured this out earlier on in my mummy journey! I just didn't know how useful it was! I was just used to rolling out of bed and hit the bed running. I'm so so glad you're doing this for yourself and your fam!!
I also never look at metrics..it would consume me
I love this. Feeling very inspired right now!
I'm so so glad!! If you ever need to get a pep talk, just DM me!
Thank you Mika for the inspiration and light mindset you gave us 😌 ✨
You are so so welcome! 💕
I know I needed this mindset shift and wondered if others needed it too. 💕
Not looking at my metrics is HUGE. You're so right that the numbers go up and down, and focusing on them can quickly suck the joy out of creating. I promised myself when I started on Substack that I would only look at the analytics once a month to find out what's working, what's not. I turned off unsubscribe notifications, which is just soul-deflating to see haha. Much happier without it.
I’m glad I turned unsubscribe notifications off too!
What have you learned from your analytics?
I’ve learned that people really like to hear about my personal life hahah.
Hahaha! 🤭
Oh Mika I love all of this. I’m loving the experimental nature of Substack & am beginning to lean into being me, writing & seeing where it takes me.
Trying to disregard the metrics is tricky, I just can’t help myself! I’d also love to ditch instagram but need it for my business.
Substack feels a lot more experimental and forgiving than Instagram. I feel like you have to do a lot to please the algorithm gods. What do you think?
So much so, trending audio, size of images, hook, CTA etc. they did talk about pushing photos again but it still seems to be reels at front!
Did you see the chat thread at the summit where you were invited to leave your IG handle? https://sparklesummit.substack.com/p/the-power-of-recommendations-and/comments
Thanks so much Mika, I missed that and have just added mine, although I don't expect anyone is still looking at the thread!
I kind of want to go back, JUST to do the photos like old school.
I did a reels course (for the business) and I do quite enjoy making them now.
Sound advice. I love the idea about not looking at the numbers on the dashboard. This is something I'm struggling with here on Substack, but also elsewhere. I need to focus on creating and not so much the numbers!
Yes! The sooner you do this, the happier you will be. 😊
Love love love what you say about moving from consuming and planning to actually creating something. I'm definitely the type to fool myself that I'm doing something, whereas I'm actually just procrastinating by planning and consuming relevant content.
100% relate to this! Procrastination queen - usually because I’m scared. 😅
Scared to find out that I'm actually not good enough at whatever I want to do 🫣
Absolutely because I'm scared to actually get started
I have given myself permission to no longer create BIG art (as in large canvases). I now create small art, mainly in my art journal. It’s so freeing!
What a great hack! I’m glad that’s working for you. 👌
As a fellow perfectionist and over thinker, I both love and NEED these tips!
My personal favorites:
1. Just start! I delayed launching my Substack newsletter for so long because I thought I needed to have the perfect name, perfect logo, perfect publishing schedule figured out ahead of time. In the end my mentor @dan blank encouraged me to just start, and it was honestly the best advice! I’ve learnt far more from actually doing the work than I could have done on my own before starting.
2. Do what works for you. I felt a lot of pressure early on to publish weekly, but it just doesn’t fit my lifestyle. As a mum of 3, I’m writing in the tiny pockets of my day. I decided to let go of what’s best for the “algorithm” and do what’s best for me, my mental health, and my readers. I’d rather publish less often but be happy with what I’m sharing, than be stressed trying to churn out content more quickly than I can keep up and which ends up not being great quality or value for my readers.
Thanks Mika for breaking it down like this in easy to understand mindset reframes and actionable steps!
Looks like you are well on your way! Well done Ruthie for overcoming your hurdles!
Thanks Mika 😊 I’ve enjoyed connecting with you and reading your work - I’m learning a lot from you!
You’re so kind! Sorry for the spelling error in your name Ruhie! Autocorrect always corrects my name to “Mike” 😄
Haha no worries Mika! I’m so used to Ruthie or Richie by now it barely even registers anymore 🤣
Hahaha me too!
Yes, yes, yes!! Mika inspired me to just crack on and get started earlier on my sparkly as-yet-nothing-published Substack that had been sitting there, all alone, for months and months ... often our biggest hurdle is that very first one! So happy you are writing now x
That’s so awesome!
I’ve been giving myself permission to take a break from deep personal writing which was so necessary for me but also emotionally draining. It resonated with many and it was tempting to continue to “provide” more of that, but it wasn’t the right time. I’ll be back to it, but for now, a few less personal and more actionable pieces.
(And also; I need to stop looking at numbers! I am getting close to 100 subscribers and can’t help myself! Maybe once I get to 100 my reward will be to use your tip and bookmark the new post page!)
That’s great insight into your writing and how your needs have changed. 👌