Substack Diaries: The turning point: Resurrecting and restarting my Substack
Lessons from an absolute beginner :: Nov 2023
I created this Substack publication in April 2023.
I quickly wrote 2 posts and then life happened.
Things started to settle down at the beginning of November.
By the end of this month I had a clear direction of where I wanted to take this publication. I felt energised, excited and had so many ideas!
Here’s what I think led to the shift:
I deleted social media from my phone. I wanted to make space for my thoughts and ideas…rather than consuming whatever the algorithm was pumping out. I was constantly picking up my phone: to see if there was a new insta story, to watch a new episode from a fav YouTuber, to see the latest Facebook updates from friends and family. This often lead to mindless scrolling. I needed to switch things up, I needed the outside noise to be less, well, noisey.
I installed Substack on my phone. The goal was to draw inspiration from fellow writers and gradually immerse myself in the world of writing. I wanted to make space for writing, something I loved since a young age.
I started developing a plan. For a while now, I have been getting the nudge to write, but I could never narrow down on a topic. I was interested in so many things! Narrowing it down never sat right. What I knew for sure was that I wanted to share things that helped people. I wanted to connect and have a community. Not seeing the clear road ahead of me was incredibly frustrating. I wanted to know what the “right” move was!
I continued to write and get inspired. As the noise around me quieted down, my creativity kicked into high gear, flooding me with one idea after another. I made sure to jot them all down in a Google Doc titled simply: "Newsletter." Alongside this, I embraced the habit of Morning Pages—writing three pages of free-flowing thoughts every day, a practice I picked up from Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way." This not only helped me make sense of my ideas and get out of a creative rut, but it also allowed me to channel my love of writing.
Next month, I will share how I was able to finally get clarity and momentum!
Post edit: The link to December’s update will be at the end
My November (real) numbers
I love it when people open up about their journey, especially the nitty-gritty details of starting something new. Here's me, spilling all the beans, the stats, stepping into the Substack world with no email list to my name. I almost deleted this. I got caught up in the idea that only growth numbers matter. But, in my quest to break free from perfectionism and seeking validation from others, I'm trying to embrace a new mindset—accepting myself as I am, where I am…at the beginning.
Started Substack
7 April 2023
Subscribers
7 subscribers - all from the Substack putting me front of people on 11 & 12 April 2023
No new subscribers in November
Posts
2 posts since starting in April 2023
No new posts in November
Revenue
$0 Revenue (no paid subscription option)
Monthly check-in
I didn’t publish anything in November, BUT it was a month where ideas took shape and I knew in December everything was about to change!
Things I tried:
I started reading the Artist’s Way and it was the key I needed to unlock my creativity.
I put the Substack app on my phone and started liking notes.
What I learned:
When you first join Substack, it pushes it out to people straight away. It might be good to have some content before you start.
What I’m struggling with:
This post took me hours and hours. My teenager came in wanting my opinion on online purchases. It was hard to multitask. I want to create a manageable schedule that I can keep up. I don’t ever want this to be a chore and make people feel like my laptop is more important than them.
I would love to hear from you!
How do you keep up a writing schedule that is enjoyable and consistent?
If you are looking for a supportive community who can hold you accountable and champion you, join us in our weekly chat thread!
Let’s encourage and help each other as we navigate Substack together!
Read what happened next:
December 2023:
January 2024:
February 2024:
Read what happened before:
April 2023:
Thank you - these comments are what are useful, and the “why” of me being on here. Learning from like community and also teaching perhaps.
This comment “People want to hear your point of view Maurni.” has come at a very good time, thanks and all the best
Thanks for sharing your journey so far on here. I am struggling with making a post, finding the time and waiting for the “perfect” space in which to make it. Like you, so many ideas, it is tricky to narrow it down.
I know it will happen, feels like soon.