You described my Substack experience as I have wondered about all of what you said, and did, and more. I have only been here since Feb and am clear about subscriptions that will always be free although I accept pledges that will go to AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities.
Awards will go to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. That was inspired by David Roberts who contributes his pledges to Robin Hood in NYC that feeds hungry people. Also inspired by my work as a social activist.
I have been writing blogs for 12+ years and have a backlog of 600+ so I am trying to figure out how to pick the best ones for updates and revisions. I have written 4 books and enjoy writing and now working on improving the craft with more focus, clarity and purpose. It's an ongoing work in progress, just like me, staring at finishing up year 87 in June with a 10 day trip to Boston and New York. Big trip in Feb was to South America - Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Blessed and grateful. Thanks for stirring my pot this Monday morning, Earth Day 2024, which will soon go into Notes.
Love reading this! Thanks so much for sharing Gary! One of things I’m looking forward to with turning on paid is being able to donate to causes! I’ve done it with my freelance work as well. I also would love to contribute to other newsletters too!
Wow, blogging for 12+ years, that’s amazing! How are you finding Substack compared to when you used to blog?
Good question, Mika. I just started comparing thanks to questions like yours. I have had a web site for all that time and there is a page called BLOG. Sometimes I thought it could have been called BLOB. Throw it up there on the wall and see what sticks. There are similarities and differences, I have subscribers on the web site blog and for now I have posts on both places as well as occasionally on LinkedIn and X formerly known as the bluebird Twitter. The plan is to shut down the web site by next January and focus on Substack. I am sometimes a bit too scattered on the writing landscape, scattered, wandering mind as well. I never expected to be this busy and engaged at this stage of living life fully up to the brim and spilling over but I am glad and grateful.
Mika, kudos for turning your brief time away into a useful teaching moment. I really enjoy your writing style. I’m in a sort of “pause” myself right now — but it’s fun and easy to leave comments!
Thank you for your kind encouraging words Debbie. 💕
There was a point that I wondered if it was going to see the light of day. Thankfully I pushed through, made some tweaks and sent it out into the world. So your comment means a lot!
I hope you enjoy your pause. In the meantime, we very much appreciate your positive comments!!
I went completely off Substack for a month mid-last year while travelling. Yes, the subscriber numbers plateaued but other than that it made no difference whatsoever (and I'm not sure anyone even noticed!) We can definitely afford to take our foot off the gas when needed. As you say, it helps to make the journey enjoyable, instead of a burden. Thanks for sharing your experiences 😊
Love everything about this 💫👏🙏🏼💞 if we don’t stay true to our authentic selves we’ll crumble sooner than later so better show up genuinely and have fun and the ripple effects will be even greater 🥰
I think you are so great at this. You write because you want to write. You work it in when it makes sense. I've loved seeing your journey on here. I hope you are having a lovely "break" after launching your book on Substack. How has it been going paid?
Mika, I loved reading this. This last month there has been a lot going on for me too and I have also not engaged in the same way. It was wonderful to hear your reflection.
Kathryn, take it from me, you can pick up right where you left off!!
I tend to want to follow through with what I have set myself to do, so this has been a lovely experiment of doing what feels right (pause) and then coming out the other side to see that the world hasn't fallen apart, I am not lazy, I am not uncommitted, I'm human. 🥰
Mika I really want to thank you for your honesty here — I loved reading this take on your journey, and I ESPECIALLY loved your final closing note! I feel like you offered a true gift to us small folks by omitting the subscriber numbers. It can feel so discouraging to see all the people ahead of you, and the well-meaning, inspirational posts like this can sometimes fall flat (for me) when I see subscriber numbers that I could only dream of. My mind then just goes to "but you're already so far ahead, I need to catch up before I can have your luxury of not caring so much!" — even when their words are so encouraging.
So thank you for allowing me to end this without comparison, and with abundant gratitude and joy :)
I am so glad it was helpful and I'm so glad I made the last minute decision to take it all out. You're right, it does feel unrealistic. I sometimes see 10K people and go woah! It's like you're proudly fly your little cessna and then a huge boeing 747 whooshes past! 😆
Seriously though, I ask myself, am I having fun - yes! Am I enjoying the creative outlet - yes! Am I making cool connections - yes! Then that's all that matters right now.
A lot of came to Substack with the dream of making money from our writing, so at some point we can cross that bridge (turn on paid at the beginning, so it happens sooner! 😆) but while we are finding our feet, it's ok to go at our own pace and enjoy the ride!
Great reflection, Mika. I can really relate to that. At the end of the day, I want to show up in this space as 100% genuine, rather than following some rigid schedule to chase up subscribers.
And also, what a big milestone for your family and your motherhood journey! ❤️
Thank you so much. It is a huge milestone. Our only boy too.
When our oldest left, I made sure to do a big cry in the shower before hand, because I tend to have a very busy mind, and I didn't want to get to the airport and have it hit me or have a week of being sad after they leave. Although, I did notice that although I wasn't super sad, I felt like a part of me was missing. So I was very gentle with myself. There may have been PJ days and takeaways, and saying no to social events. I'm glad I slowly moved through it, because I think you get to the other side quicker.
When my youngest went to school, I planned to watch a movie that I was dying to see and also saw some friends. I let the housework go a bit and just sat in the feels, as I adjusted to not having my little shadow by me all the time.
I’ve been really doing what I can to just show up, and to honor what I feel called to write.
I’m also trying to give myself grace since that “showing up” for me might look different or not be as frequent as someone else (I struggle with unpredictable energy levels as a result of chronic illnesses).
Removing the pressure so you can show up for what matters in the most authentic way for you is a beautiful gift to yourself. 💗
Thank you so much for sharing this insight. I’ve had a similar experience recently with my little ‘Stack--particularly the “processing stuff” through my first long form post. Part of me sees my spaghetti-thrown-to-the-wall efforts & cringes, but part of me holds tight to the golden thread that remains through all attempts & sees progress even amid attrition. ❤️🩹 Thank you for sharing the real!
You’re so welcome. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves that everything has to be perfect…but we do get opportunities to try again. If I wanted everything to be perfect, it would stop me from putting anything out there. I know this, because it’s been my MO.
Here’s to chucking some spaghettini on the wall and creating some art with it! 😊
'...enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination.'
Yeah, I've recently started to adopt this mindset as well.
I found that getting too caught up with results like readership and earnings really does increase our stress and negatively impacts our general sense of contentment as well as peace of mind. It's simply not healthy, and is in fact counter-productive to our efforts in our writing journey.
Mike, Bingo!
You described my Substack experience as I have wondered about all of what you said, and did, and more. I have only been here since Feb and am clear about subscriptions that will always be free although I accept pledges that will go to AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities.
Awards will go to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. That was inspired by David Roberts who contributes his pledges to Robin Hood in NYC that feeds hungry people. Also inspired by my work as a social activist.
I have been writing blogs for 12+ years and have a backlog of 600+ so I am trying to figure out how to pick the best ones for updates and revisions. I have written 4 books and enjoy writing and now working on improving the craft with more focus, clarity and purpose. It's an ongoing work in progress, just like me, staring at finishing up year 87 in June with a 10 day trip to Boston and New York. Big trip in Feb was to South America - Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Blessed and grateful. Thanks for stirring my pot this Monday morning, Earth Day 2024, which will soon go into Notes.
Love reading this! Thanks so much for sharing Gary! One of things I’m looking forward to with turning on paid is being able to donate to causes! I’ve done it with my freelance work as well. I also would love to contribute to other newsletters too!
Wow, blogging for 12+ years, that’s amazing! How are you finding Substack compared to when you used to blog?
Good question, Mika. I just started comparing thanks to questions like yours. I have had a web site for all that time and there is a page called BLOG. Sometimes I thought it could have been called BLOB. Throw it up there on the wall and see what sticks. There are similarities and differences, I have subscribers on the web site blog and for now I have posts on both places as well as occasionally on LinkedIn and X formerly known as the bluebird Twitter. The plan is to shut down the web site by next January and focus on Substack. I am sometimes a bit too scattered on the writing landscape, scattered, wandering mind as well. I never expected to be this busy and engaged at this stage of living life fully up to the brim and spilling over but I am glad and grateful.
I used to have a blog over a decade ago. I loved it!
It is a lot busier on Substack, but it’s a fun kind of busy! 😄
Good luck with your goal and I hope your blog readers will support you over here as well.
Mika, kudos for turning your brief time away into a useful teaching moment. I really enjoy your writing style. I’m in a sort of “pause” myself right now — but it’s fun and easy to leave comments!
Thank you for your kind encouraging words Debbie. 💕
There was a point that I wondered if it was going to see the light of day. Thankfully I pushed through, made some tweaks and sent it out into the world. So your comment means a lot!
I hope you enjoy your pause. In the meantime, we very much appreciate your positive comments!!
I went completely off Substack for a month mid-last year while travelling. Yes, the subscriber numbers plateaued but other than that it made no difference whatsoever (and I'm not sure anyone even noticed!) We can definitely afford to take our foot off the gas when needed. As you say, it helps to make the journey enjoyable, instead of a burden. Thanks for sharing your experiences 😊
I love that we an pick up where we left off, usually more creative, energised and inspired!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Love everything about this 💫👏🙏🏼💞 if we don’t stay true to our authentic selves we’ll crumble sooner than later so better show up genuinely and have fun and the ripple effects will be even greater 🥰
I think you are so great at this. You write because you want to write. You work it in when it makes sense. I've loved seeing your journey on here. I hope you are having a lovely "break" after launching your book on Substack. How has it been going paid?
Mika, I loved reading this. This last month there has been a lot going on for me too and I have also not engaged in the same way. It was wonderful to hear your reflection.
Kathryn, take it from me, you can pick up right where you left off!!
I tend to want to follow through with what I have set myself to do, so this has been a lovely experiment of doing what feels right (pause) and then coming out the other side to see that the world hasn't fallen apart, I am not lazy, I am not uncommitted, I'm human. 🥰
Thank you for sharing this Mika! There's such an ebb and flow to this space, it's one of the reasons I love it here so much.
I love how your described it as “ebb and flow”! That’s exactly what it is!
Mika I really want to thank you for your honesty here — I loved reading this take on your journey, and I ESPECIALLY loved your final closing note! I feel like you offered a true gift to us small folks by omitting the subscriber numbers. It can feel so discouraging to see all the people ahead of you, and the well-meaning, inspirational posts like this can sometimes fall flat (for me) when I see subscriber numbers that I could only dream of. My mind then just goes to "but you're already so far ahead, I need to catch up before I can have your luxury of not caring so much!" — even when their words are so encouraging.
So thank you for allowing me to end this without comparison, and with abundant gratitude and joy :)
❤️❤️❤️
I am so glad it was helpful and I'm so glad I made the last minute decision to take it all out. You're right, it does feel unrealistic. I sometimes see 10K people and go woah! It's like you're proudly fly your little cessna and then a huge boeing 747 whooshes past! 😆
Seriously though, I ask myself, am I having fun - yes! Am I enjoying the creative outlet - yes! Am I making cool connections - yes! Then that's all that matters right now.
A lot of came to Substack with the dream of making money from our writing, so at some point we can cross that bridge (turn on paid at the beginning, so it happens sooner! 😆) but while we are finding our feet, it's ok to go at our own pace and enjoy the ride!
Great reflection, Mika. I can really relate to that. At the end of the day, I want to show up in this space as 100% genuine, rather than following some rigid schedule to chase up subscribers.
And also, what a big milestone for your family and your motherhood journey! ❤️
Thank you so much. It is a huge milestone. Our only boy too.
When our oldest left, I made sure to do a big cry in the shower before hand, because I tend to have a very busy mind, and I didn't want to get to the airport and have it hit me or have a week of being sad after they leave. Although, I did notice that although I wasn't super sad, I felt like a part of me was missing. So I was very gentle with myself. There may have been PJ days and takeaways, and saying no to social events. I'm glad I slowly moved through it, because I think you get to the other side quicker.
When my youngest went to school, I planned to watch a movie that I was dying to see and also saw some friends. I let the housework go a bit and just sat in the feels, as I adjusted to not having my little shadow by me all the time.
You are a true inspiration Mika! I love the community you are building here. It's like the good old days of FB groups.
I would have liked to see the numbers because I'm a numbers gal.
Also, need to re-read to find the link to upgrade to paid:-)
eeek...there is no link to paid yet. Thank you tho, that means a lot. Still working through that. I'll get there!! You're the sweetest.
You've probably seen my Substack diaries, but I share all the numbers there. 😊
https://musingsbymika.substack.com/s/substack-diaries?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=menu
Oh you know I’m bingeing your content:-)
Binge away!! 😆
Happy first Substack-versay to one of the loveliest Substackers around! Yes, you took a pause. Life pauses sometimes, but growth never stops! ❤️
Thank you Marika!! You are always such a lovely supporter! Look forward to our next experiment! 😉
I’ve been really doing what I can to just show up, and to honor what I feel called to write.
I’m also trying to give myself grace since that “showing up” for me might look different or not be as frequent as someone else (I struggle with unpredictable energy levels as a result of chronic illnesses).
Removing the pressure so you can show up for what matters in the most authentic way for you is a beautiful gift to yourself. 💗
Thank you so much for sharing this insight. I’ve had a similar experience recently with my little ‘Stack--particularly the “processing stuff” through my first long form post. Part of me sees my spaghetti-thrown-to-the-wall efforts & cringes, but part of me holds tight to the golden thread that remains through all attempts & sees progress even amid attrition. ❤️🩹 Thank you for sharing the real!
You’re so welcome. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves that everything has to be perfect…but we do get opportunities to try again. If I wanted everything to be perfect, it would stop me from putting anything out there. I know this, because it’s been my MO.
Here’s to chucking some spaghettini on the wall and creating some art with it! 😊
Yes to doing things we enjoy! I reflected how much im enjoying my time here in Substack - reading, interacting and writing.
Well to get to a plateau one must first had some growth. So let's celebrate that while you take a breather. :)
I love your positive approach Rachel! 💕
I'm rather new but I'm expecting a long slow plateau that will eventually give in to an even longer slow plateau. :)
Mika – always appreciate your candor and positive sum approaches :)
Thank you Cissy. I love how you take people on a journey with your writing and being transparent on what’s on your heart.
'...enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination.'
Yeah, I've recently started to adopt this mindset as well.
I found that getting too caught up with results like readership and earnings really does increase our stress and negatively impacts our general sense of contentment as well as peace of mind. It's simply not healthy, and is in fact counter-productive to our efforts in our writing journey.
I think that it really makes me impatient and everything seems "right" or "wrong". So taxing.