I started my Substack in April too. I came here knowing the name of my newsletter, but everything else involved a lot of head scratching. A lot of clicking, googling, experimenting. I set everything up and then abandoned it for 7 months. I came back to it with a renewed sense of ok let's do this, because as you mention in your piece, if I quit, where does that leave the dream? My first post was some goofy rant about coconuts and almonds, brought on by a glut of holiday baking. I kind of hated it. And I kinda hated every post after that too, just a little bit. But each post has been slightly easier to write and publish than the last, and that, to me, is progress. My latest post "edit less, enjoy more" got a wee bit of traction, and now I'm starting to sit up and take notice of how I can keep this going. Thanks for this honest post -- I relate to all of it! BTW I love your handwritten signature and the little heart dividers. How did you create those?
Thanks for sharing this. I have been wanting to start my Substack, haven’t gotten up the nerve. I decided yesterday that I was going to start working on writing my bio and my welcome page. At least these are my first goals. I have something that I want to post as my first post. We will see. This post of yours, hits home. When I started writing the bio and intro…I got stuck. But I will keep working on it. I vowed that I would have my Substack up and running by the first week in October. Whew!! Fingers crossed, I can stick to that.
Cheering you on!! My overthinking caused me to only produce two pieces of writing in 8 months and no new subscribers (after the initial 7 that I go when I started the publication).
Once I was able to let go and experiment, it all started working out. Having little to no subscribers is the best time to just throw spaghetti at the wall!!
This is how I feel every time I start a new project. I always want to jump into the middle then remember I must start at the frustrating and exciting beginning.
Oh my gosh you just recounted my first week using Substack haha. So much to learn still but none of us are alone in these trials, we're all in this Substack boat together trying to learn how to sail 😆.
So glad I’m not the only one! Thanks for sharing your experience too. Sometimes it can feel like we’re the only one, but we are scratching our head (and sometimes pulling our hair out😆)
When I was ready to give in to my doubts and personal limitations...I was given a gift of your written experiences...and it was a game changer...You are gifted and I am so greatful!..
Hi Sue, thank you so much for your kind words. I often wish that I didn’t have so many doubts and limitations. How fly could I go if only I could let them go? It’s been a journey, which I’m still on. xx
It’s a roller coaster isn’t it! I have to remind myself often to just have fun with it and not look at how others are doing. I started this because I felt it was in my heart and that’s the main thing.
Dear Mika I hear you! At times I read other people s fascinating blog entries and I am thinking ... Lord I am not good but then, just like you I remind myself that .. first of all I am writing because I love writing and because for years I was metaphorically speaking frozen, incapable of writing a word. Then I remind myself that I love telling stories, sharing adventures, emotional rollercoasters with people who might need to know that they are not alone in their own struggle. Hmmm I need to write a blog about this 😀 why do I write?
I started my Substack in April too. I came here knowing the name of my newsletter, but everything else involved a lot of head scratching. A lot of clicking, googling, experimenting. I set everything up and then abandoned it for 7 months. I came back to it with a renewed sense of ok let's do this, because as you mention in your piece, if I quit, where does that leave the dream? My first post was some goofy rant about coconuts and almonds, brought on by a glut of holiday baking. I kind of hated it. And I kinda hated every post after that too, just a little bit. But each post has been slightly easier to write and publish than the last, and that, to me, is progress. My latest post "edit less, enjoy more" got a wee bit of traction, and now I'm starting to sit up and take notice of how I can keep this going. Thanks for this honest post -- I relate to all of it! BTW I love your handwritten signature and the little heart dividers. How did you create those?
I feel like we’ve been on a similar path!
The whole reason I chose “musings by mika” is because I had no clue what was going to come out yet.
Here’s to diving back in again and experimenting!
Those are created using procreate and an iPad and Apple Pencil. 😊
Thanks for sharing this. I have been wanting to start my Substack, haven’t gotten up the nerve. I decided yesterday that I was going to start working on writing my bio and my welcome page. At least these are my first goals. I have something that I want to post as my first post. We will see. This post of yours, hits home. When I started writing the bio and intro…I got stuck. But I will keep working on it. I vowed that I would have my Substack up and running by the first week in October. Whew!! Fingers crossed, I can stick to that.
Cheering you on!! My overthinking caused me to only produce two pieces of writing in 8 months and no new subscribers (after the initial 7 that I go when I started the publication).
Once I was able to let go and experiment, it all started working out. Having little to no subscribers is the best time to just throw spaghetti at the wall!!
This is how I feel every time I start a new project. I always want to jump into the middle then remember I must start at the frustrating and exciting beginning.
"Jump into the middle" - me every single time!!!
Oh my gosh you just recounted my first week using Substack haha. So much to learn still but none of us are alone in these trials, we're all in this Substack boat together trying to learn how to sail 😆.
So glad I’m not the only one! Thanks for sharing your experience too. Sometimes it can feel like we’re the only one, but we are scratching our head (and sometimes pulling our hair out😆)
When I was ready to give in to my doubts and personal limitations...I was given a gift of your written experiences...and it was a game changer...You are gifted and I am so greatful!..
Hi Sue, thank you so much for your kind words. I often wish that I didn’t have so many doubts and limitations. How fly could I go if only I could let them go? It’s been a journey, which I’m still on. xx
Thank you for this! Sounds familiar :)
It’s a roller coaster isn’t it! I have to remind myself often to just have fun with it and not look at how others are doing. I started this because I felt it was in my heart and that’s the main thing.
Dear Mika I hear you! At times I read other people s fascinating blog entries and I am thinking ... Lord I am not good but then, just like you I remind myself that .. first of all I am writing because I love writing and because for years I was metaphorically speaking frozen, incapable of writing a word. Then I remind myself that I love telling stories, sharing adventures, emotional rollercoasters with people who might need to know that they are not alone in their own struggle. Hmmm I need to write a blog about this 😀 why do I write?
Yes, sounds like a great new piece of writing Karina. I think a lot of people will relate to being frozen. I know I do! 🙋♀️