Sarah you are like my missing twin just kidding staying small I have been working on for seven years the luxury of retirement on a budget. I have learned so much about nature in the last few years I began to see stars at night this has happened because I was big I started several businesses I have one patent and one book I wrote three children who are now in their forties I have friends tell me all the time that they have such regrets at retirement that they wish they did this or that I tell them what about today take one small step ahh the world of small things is a wonderful world
Carin you speak to my heart! What is possible when we jettison the notion that success=big? There are whole worlds in the narrow strips between the sidewalk and the street. Whole vistas out a single window.
One small step... it takes courage to take that step though and not everyone is ready. I applaud you and how you encourage your friends. I hope they will listen to you. <3
Oh thank you so much. That means a lot. I feel a lot of writers here at SmallStack (and at Substack more generally) really value that spirit/heart connection and seek it. If I’ve made a connection with you today I’m grateful. <3
Sep 4Liked by Sarah Sadie (she/her/hers), Erin Mercer, Robin Taylor (he/him)
Sarah - we have many parallels in our life experiences over the past year especially (and also more long term). But I just wanted to pop out and say hi! And thank you for sharing your journey. And also if you want to chat about creativity coaching - I’m curious to hear more of your experience (as I’m doing similar work rn).
Hello fellow journeyer and hasn’t it been a trip. (!) I would enjoy talking more about coaching, creativity, and other common points of shared experience. DM me any time. :-) While I’m usually in and out of the space regularly, I don’t always have a lot of energy (full disclosure: still healing and recovering) but I try to answer messages within a couple of days. <3
Thank you Peter! I feel that’s the main job, isn’t it? Not to have the answers, but to seed a new thought or expand a horizon by even an inch or two. :-)
Sep 4Liked by Sarah Sadie (she/her/hers), Robin Taylor (he/him), Erin Michaela Sweeney
There is a hint of recognition of my own writing experience in your own words. I feel a hidden mystery from you that piques my interest to find your secret and ask myself a lot of the same questions you present. I am smaller than small in this writing world and all my experiences while giving me a stronger character chips away at confidence. What is this urge inside myself that pushes my pen to paper, my fingers to keyboard? Why can’t I let it rest? What is this need I have for self-expression? The small versus the big is a hard reality that strikes me daily. I live in my dream of one day putting a paywall on my Smallstack/Substack but as you point out first growth is required. I have yet to comprehend the criteria that will allow me such a privilege. I’m learning every time I read others’ SmallStacks and Substacks. And at the same time a part of me is confused or missing their point in relating to my own place here. My years are advancing rapidly before me, my mind shouting, “you dont have as much time as you imagine you do so get cracking’ with what you want to create and leave behind when you become non-existent in the world.” But also it’s that battle with my ego to slow down and smell those roses. I enjoyed “Sarah Sadie’s writing and thank you for sharing it here.
When you wrote "What is this need I have for self-expression?" I said aloud — to my cat? to myself? — after years (or decades) of staying quiet to appease society's norms, we (you! me! probably lots of Others!) feel the urge to share our truths.
And a piece of advice Robin Taylor recently shared with me: consider turning on Pledges. Substack sez: "Pledges are a tool for your audience to show you they believe your work is valuable. This feature allows your subscribers to pledge to become a paid subscriber if and when you turn on paid subscriptions."
I think one of the possible answers for me to your piercing questions Kathy...to remember that one reader makes the difference. The connection to a single person is a ripple and we can't know where it goes, how far, or in what direction. Keep. Going. ♥️
Sep 4·edited Sep 4Liked by Robin Taylor (he/him), Erin Michaela Sweeney
Oooh… Lots to chew on and contemplate. Thanks, Sarah.
First off, this has got to be the broad mission statement on here, right? Regardless of specialist topic. "We live in what feels like a rather flat and declarative time, but around here we can play and expand what’s possible. Opening ourselves back up into language and complexity." 💡
Ps Leo here 👋🏾 I felt that bit. Wanting your voice to matter in some way can be a noble thing, not egotistical. It's the vocational spirit that sustains the craft through rocky periods imo.
As for balancing the urge to stay small with the need to grow, I like the idea of focusing on nurturing a sense of connection with your readership. Person by person, piece by piece. With sincerity and as much selflessness as we can muster. Growth is the by-product. But everyone has their own goals and financial imperative.
It's another form of community building, which you're experienced in, right. Obviously, this will get harder if you hit the big time, but there's no rule that says you need to respond to everyone at once and immediately. I like dropping in on viral pieces months after they blew, considering the comments and then adding my own thoughts. Sometimes the authors will respond … and the conversation goes on.
Love your postscript, Amar, of reframing the potentially egotistical into something noble that gets us through tough times.
As a summer baby on the cusp of Cancer and Leo, I have instincts to stay small (tiny hermit crab hiding in their shell) AND to go big (beautiful lion cat roaring to the world). Sarah's essay featured many of my internal debates on what to do with my mindful creative self-expressions.
Amar: When you quoted Sarah's words as a Substack mission statement (yes!), it made me wonder: How do *you* play on Substack?
“Play” is what I come back to whenever I’m hung up on engagement and data. Have fun with words. Flip the format. Writing is hard enough as it is, without making it a chore or a reason to feel worthless. It takes discipline, which I’m working on. Knowing when to walk away and do something else is helpful.
Play can also be in the forms of dreaming, doodling, walking, reading, observing, which all count in the disciplined practice of writing (and other forms of creative self-expression).
Sep 4Liked by Robin Taylor (he/him), Erin Michaela Sweeney
Thanks for this reminder and the nudge.
Staying small means being authentic, showing up as myself without boundaries. Growing bigger means refining my craft, write better, connect with more hearts...
This is a beautiful piece. So many wonderful passages, like this one: "I love about this platform, the space and invitation to digress, back up, reverse, noodle around, riff and experiment with theme and variation. We live in what feels like a rather flat and declarative time, but around here we can play and expand what’s possible. Opening ourselves back up into language and complexity. I’ve learned by now the path through life for any of us is not linear. Maybe the writing and expression shouldn’t be either?)" I, too, share that image of having coffee with readers, such potential for connection. I love your opening line and how that sets the stage for you.
Sep 5Liked by Sarah Sadie (she/her/hers), Robin Taylor (he/him), Erin Michaela Sweeney
I resonate with how you think outside the box for small and big. When we grow, growth often happens around us. And when we are vulnerable and authentic, we make connections with others. I think this is a better way to understand “success “ on Substack.
Sarah - I love how you highlight the importance of connection, both with ourselves and with others. Your desire to create a space where people can come together and share their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs is truly admirable. It's a reminder that we're not alone on this journey, and that by sharing our experiences, we can find solace, support, and inspiration.
Thank you ! It's all still very much a work in progress as I try to figure out the platform. I'm having a good time living into all of it,messy as it feels some days.
Sarah you are like my missing twin just kidding staying small I have been working on for seven years the luxury of retirement on a budget. I have learned so much about nature in the last few years I began to see stars at night this has happened because I was big I started several businesses I have one patent and one book I wrote three children who are now in their forties I have friends tell me all the time that they have such regrets at retirement that they wish they did this or that I tell them what about today take one small step ahh the world of small things is a wonderful world
Carin you speak to my heart! What is possible when we jettison the notion that success=big? There are whole worlds in the narrow strips between the sidewalk and the street. Whole vistas out a single window.
One small step... it takes courage to take that step though and not everyone is ready. I applaud you and how you encourage your friends. I hope they will listen to you. <3
I know that I will learn a lot from you and to passing it on is my favorite thing. The narrow strips between the sidewalk EXACTLY
Your writing style is so resonant with what you are saying… I definitely feel you in my spirit.
Oh thank you so much. That means a lot. I feel a lot of writers here at SmallStack (and at Substack more generally) really value that spirit/heart connection and seek it. If I’ve made a connection with you today I’m grateful. <3
Sarah I just joined after reading just one of your essays Cheers
Carin I’m looking forward to the connection and to future conversations with my “twin” :-) xoxoS
SmallStack magic 🪄
Sarah - we have many parallels in our life experiences over the past year especially (and also more long term). But I just wanted to pop out and say hi! And thank you for sharing your journey. And also if you want to chat about creativity coaching - I’m curious to hear more of your experience (as I’m doing similar work rn).
Hello fellow journeyer and hasn’t it been a trip. (!) I would enjoy talking more about coaching, creativity, and other common points of shared experience. DM me any time. :-) While I’m usually in and out of the space regularly, I don’t always have a lot of energy (full disclosure: still healing and recovering) but I try to answer messages within a couple of days. <3
Interesting and thoughtful essay Sarah! Certainly got me thinking a bit. Thanks for this, enjoyed it greatly!
Thank you Peter! I feel that’s the main job, isn’t it? Not to have the answers, but to seed a new thought or expand a horizon by even an inch or two. :-)
I must agree with you on that one...and you're very welcome!
There is a hint of recognition of my own writing experience in your own words. I feel a hidden mystery from you that piques my interest to find your secret and ask myself a lot of the same questions you present. I am smaller than small in this writing world and all my experiences while giving me a stronger character chips away at confidence. What is this urge inside myself that pushes my pen to paper, my fingers to keyboard? Why can’t I let it rest? What is this need I have for self-expression? The small versus the big is a hard reality that strikes me daily. I live in my dream of one day putting a paywall on my Smallstack/Substack but as you point out first growth is required. I have yet to comprehend the criteria that will allow me such a privilege. I’m learning every time I read others’ SmallStacks and Substacks. And at the same time a part of me is confused or missing their point in relating to my own place here. My years are advancing rapidly before me, my mind shouting, “you dont have as much time as you imagine you do so get cracking’ with what you want to create and leave behind when you become non-existent in the world.” But also it’s that battle with my ego to slow down and smell those roses. I enjoyed “Sarah Sadie’s writing and thank you for sharing it here.
When you wrote "What is this need I have for self-expression?" I said aloud — to my cat? to myself? — after years (or decades) of staying quiet to appease society's norms, we (you! me! probably lots of Others!) feel the urge to share our truths.
And a piece of advice Robin Taylor recently shared with me: consider turning on Pledges. Substack sez: "Pledges are a tool for your audience to show you they believe your work is valuable. This feature allows your subscribers to pledge to become a paid subscriber if and when you turn on paid subscriptions."
Keep on keeping on, Kathy!
I think one of the possible answers for me to your piercing questions Kathy...to remember that one reader makes the difference. The connection to a single person is a ripple and we can't know where it goes, how far, or in what direction. Keep. Going. ♥️
Oooh… Lots to chew on and contemplate. Thanks, Sarah.
First off, this has got to be the broad mission statement on here, right? Regardless of specialist topic. "We live in what feels like a rather flat and declarative time, but around here we can play and expand what’s possible. Opening ourselves back up into language and complexity." 💡
Ps Leo here 👋🏾 I felt that bit. Wanting your voice to matter in some way can be a noble thing, not egotistical. It's the vocational spirit that sustains the craft through rocky periods imo.
As for balancing the urge to stay small with the need to grow, I like the idea of focusing on nurturing a sense of connection with your readership. Person by person, piece by piece. With sincerity and as much selflessness as we can muster. Growth is the by-product. But everyone has their own goals and financial imperative.
It's another form of community building, which you're experienced in, right. Obviously, this will get harder if you hit the big time, but there's no rule that says you need to respond to everyone at once and immediately. I like dropping in on viral pieces months after they blew, considering the comments and then adding my own thoughts. Sometimes the authors will respond … and the conversation goes on.
Love your postscript, Amar, of reframing the potentially egotistical into something noble that gets us through tough times.
As a summer baby on the cusp of Cancer and Leo, I have instincts to stay small (tiny hermit crab hiding in their shell) AND to go big (beautiful lion cat roaring to the world). Sarah's essay featured many of my internal debates on what to do with my mindful creative self-expressions.
Amar: When you quoted Sarah's words as a Substack mission statement (yes!), it made me wonder: How do *you* play on Substack?
I sense a fascinating column or conversation about how our signs, our Myers Briggs types, our Enneageams, flavor our writing temperaments and lives!
“Play” is what I come back to whenever I’m hung up on engagement and data. Have fun with words. Flip the format. Writing is hard enough as it is, without making it a chore or a reason to feel worthless. It takes discipline, which I’m working on. Knowing when to walk away and do something else is helpful.
Love this!! I also ground in play.
Play can also be in the forms of dreaming, doodling, walking, reading, observing, which all count in the disciplined practice of writing (and other forms of creative self-expression).
Oh yes. One of my most relaxing hobbies is taking a podcast or album for a walk and just ... drifting. I’m a bit of a flaneur in spirit.
South-East London, where I live, has quite a few parks. Ideas and thoughts seem to come more easily away from a screen.
Thanks for this reminder and the nudge.
Staying small means being authentic, showing up as myself without boundaries. Growing bigger means refining my craft, write better, connect with more hearts...
Love these definitions!
This is a beautiful piece. So many wonderful passages, like this one: "I love about this platform, the space and invitation to digress, back up, reverse, noodle around, riff and experiment with theme and variation. We live in what feels like a rather flat and declarative time, but around here we can play and expand what’s possible. Opening ourselves back up into language and complexity. I’ve learned by now the path through life for any of us is not linear. Maybe the writing and expression shouldn’t be either?)" I, too, share that image of having coffee with readers, such potential for connection. I love your opening line and how that sets the stage for you.
Thank you!! I am glad something resonated for you. What better for a writer? And here's to virtual cups of coffee shared. ☕♥️
I resonate with how you think outside the box for small and big. When we grow, growth often happens around us. And when we are vulnerable and authentic, we make connections with others. I think this is a better way to understand “success “ on Substack.
It is a work in progress for me always. I continue to ask the questions and listen for answers. Here's to thinking outside the box together!
Sarah - I love how you highlight the importance of connection, both with ourselves and with others. Your desire to create a space where people can come together and share their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs is truly admirable. It's a reminder that we're not alone on this journey, and that by sharing our experiences, we can find solace, support, and inspiration.
Thank you ! It's all still very much a work in progress as I try to figure out the platform. I'm having a good time living into all of it,messy as it feels some days.