Almost two years in, looking back I would tell myself to not be afraid to talk about the fact I was showing up here - if not to the whole world, at least to friends. I'm still learning to spread the word, but everyone who knows is very supportive.
And also, to be ready for this venture to open up a whole host of new avenues, connections, and dare I say, friends, I could never had imagined.
It's a hobby, a creative outlet, and a budding professional journey that has in many ways changed my life ✒️💫
My Substack is still a baby, so I think I would tell myself the same thing I do every day: I'm proud of you. You're going through a tough period of transition and uncertainty. Everything about your career and creative practice is up in the air, but you still try your best every day (and you'll get better at noticing when you need rest and stillness). The next few months (years?) aren't going to be easy, but there will be light in the darkness, and you'll still have that feeling that somehow it's all going to work out. For the first time in a long time, you're on the right path.
I'd tell myself much the same, Luna. I sometimes find comfort in reflecting back on other periods of challenge and turmoil in my life, reminding myself how I got through them and how they ultimately led me somewhere better.
Coming to the end of my first year on Substack - started as a collection of thoughts on creativity, now a mixture of personal reflection, photography and a great way to engage with and discover some great authors, creators and makers. Roll on 2025… I’m over 70 subscribers which is great (for me) - thanks everyone on this platform who engages in an honest and genuine way. X James
I think when I started Substack, I thought I had to fit into a certain box/niche. I like books, but also like posting about food, and TV. Once I settled on writing what I like, everything fell into place. My advice would be not to pigeon hole yourself into one spot. Do what you love and don't obsess over the numbers!
I would tell my younger self most of those things, too (especially the "save more money" part. I did not really appreciate the power of compound interest in my 20s... sadly...)
Well - it was this year - and be prepared to do something completely different - it has been a bumpy ride and I am on a sabbatical to try and work out the best way to share how often etc. It was a a big hot mess and it is becoming more streamlined and simple as I work out the shape of things to come. Yet - as bumpy and painful as it has been I have no regrets - it will come together - failure is not an option!!!
I’ve been on Substack almost a year. At first, I too was afraid to share my stories, but I was also excited to learn a new platform - Substack and how it worked! I wasn’t a previous blogger but after research, I believed Substack was the place for me to share. I also spent time learning Canva to create my name, logo etc. It makes me excited to write but also to see how my publication is coming together creatively with the layout, the pictures I choose and the voice or AI generated photos-all of that learning has been fun! I still get excited before each post is published.
At the end of 2023, the concept "The Creative Courage Project" started rattling in my head and I knew I was meant to follow it, but didn't know where it was going. It started to feel like a conversation I wanted to have in public so in April I started my newsletter here. To my past self, I'd say:
*Thank you for building trust in your creativity.*
*And remember: you don't have to have the whole thing figured out before you start.*
I like that~ you don’t have to have the whole thing figured out before you start! When I started, I had a plan overall, but I find as I write or think about writing, usually something else pops up-not that it’s veered off the overall plan totally, but a little offshoot that is meant to be at that time I guess.
My message to me would be; "Don't limit your options, there is unlimited room to learn, grow and emerge a different person and sit up straight when you type!"
As a Facebook refugee, I arrived at Substack as a platform to showcase my art with a bit of commentary. I didn't expect much. The funny thing is, I began to get feedback from the handful of readers that said they actually LIKED my writing! I was taken completely by surprise as the only training I had was my hated English courses in elementary and high school. It turns out that readers see beyond my clumsy style and picture taking, they actually liked the content, the story and my 'not taking things too seriously' vibe. I love humor, irony and the absurd and this apparently comes through. Who knew? I'm just an unfrozen artist in St. Helens, Oregon.
So, there is that, now only if I could find enough people who like the concept of turning old relics into art, then I may have accomplished something here on Substack. I am slowly getting more free subscribers, but nothing compared to the greatness of those I aspire to emulate.
I mean, you don't have to subscribe to my Substack or anything, but it would be really cool if you did.
It'll be two years next March since I started writing The Hidden Pond. I felt I wanted a wider audience than the one I had for my newsletter, and I thought I knew what I would write about so I jumped in typing with all ten (well I really only use six) fingers, What's surprised me most is how seldom I plan ahead or keep a topics list, and still manage a weekly post. I use more images now than in the beginning, and the ratio of art to habitat has shifted somewhat in favor of habitat. I believe that's in response to and gratitude for the generosity of other like-minded writers here. Thank you all for the work you do.
Thank you for being part of this community, Dudley! It's wonderful how our work can evolve in response to and as part of a like-minded community while remaining uniquely ours.
It sounds ridiculous now, but I wasn’t sure I wanted people to actually read what I’d written! This was my very first post…Amazingly 29 people read it and I survived!
In December 2023, I decided I would write a daily note of creative encouragement every day for a year. I just celebrated the one-year anniversary of Creative Letters, and to my past self, I would say, thank you. Thank you for taking that leap, even though you were terrified. Thank you for diligently showing up day after day, even when you really didn't feel like it. Thank you for believing in yourself and your words. It was so, so worth it.
thanks for making this space!!! i remember being super scared and vulnerable to start posting. i also relied on the external validation of likes and subscribes to gauge my success. but now, i would tell myself to take a deep breath and write about exactly what interests me. that enthusiasm is infectious! oh and also, don’t be afraid to write about personal life and experiences. those stories can be very engaging and a nice break from drier pieces!
What a fun question! I started my Substack about tourism in January 2023 and have written twice a month pretty consistently. I was excited when I started. I like to write and share fun and interesting things I find. I would tell myself to keep going as long as I enjoy it and let it evolve and grow as I see fit.
Almost two years in, looking back I would tell myself to not be afraid to talk about the fact I was showing up here - if not to the whole world, at least to friends. I'm still learning to spread the word, but everyone who knows is very supportive.
And also, to be ready for this venture to open up a whole host of new avenues, connections, and dare I say, friends, I could never had imagined.
It's a hobby, a creative outlet, and a budding professional journey that has in many ways changed my life ✒️💫
I hope your Substack journey continues to surprise and delight you, Lauren!
Thank you Robin 😊 x
My Substack is still a baby, so I think I would tell myself the same thing I do every day: I'm proud of you. You're going through a tough period of transition and uncertainty. Everything about your career and creative practice is up in the air, but you still try your best every day (and you'll get better at noticing when you need rest and stillness). The next few months (years?) aren't going to be easy, but there will be light in the darkness, and you'll still have that feeling that somehow it's all going to work out. For the first time in a long time, you're on the right path.
I'd tell myself much the same, Luna. I sometimes find comfort in reflecting back on other periods of challenge and turmoil in my life, reminding myself how I got through them and how they ultimately led me somewhere better.
Coming to the end of my first year on Substack - started as a collection of thoughts on creativity, now a mixture of personal reflection, photography and a great way to engage with and discover some great authors, creators and makers. Roll on 2025… I’m over 70 subscribers which is great (for me) - thanks everyone on this platform who engages in an honest and genuine way. X James
70 subscribers is amazing! Congrats James!
I think when I started Substack, I thought I had to fit into a certain box/niche. I like books, but also like posting about food, and TV. Once I settled on writing what I like, everything fell into place. My advice would be not to pigeon hole yourself into one spot. Do what you love and don't obsess over the numbers!
Here's a post I come back to often: https://4buckets.substack.com/p/things-i-would-tell-my-younger-self
I would tell my younger self most of those things, too (especially the "save more money" part. I did not really appreciate the power of compound interest in my 20s... sadly...)
Well - it was this year - and be prepared to do something completely different - it has been a bumpy ride and I am on a sabbatical to try and work out the best way to share how often etc. It was a a big hot mess and it is becoming more streamlined and simple as I work out the shape of things to come. Yet - as bumpy and painful as it has been I have no regrets - it will come together - failure is not an option!!!
I hear that! I feel like I entered my Hot Mess Era in 2024.
I never seem to leave hot mess!
I’ve been on Substack almost a year. At first, I too was afraid to share my stories, but I was also excited to learn a new platform - Substack and how it worked! I wasn’t a previous blogger but after research, I believed Substack was the place for me to share. I also spent time learning Canva to create my name, logo etc. It makes me excited to write but also to see how my publication is coming together creatively with the layout, the pictures I choose and the voice or AI generated photos-all of that learning has been fun! I still get excited before each post is published.
I hope that excitement never fades, Marlo!
Semi-related to the topic. When I started my newsletter, I wrote this post, A Letter to my Younger Self. It contains reflections and advice I wished someone guided me when I first embarked on my creative journey. https://open.substack.com/pub/stellakalaw/p/updated-a-letter-to-my-younger-self?r=15ev81&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for sharing this, Stella! I wish I'd had someone to tell me these things when I was starting out.
At the end of 2023, the concept "The Creative Courage Project" started rattling in my head and I knew I was meant to follow it, but didn't know where it was going. It started to feel like a conversation I wanted to have in public so in April I started my newsletter here. To my past self, I'd say:
*Thank you for building trust in your creativity.*
*And remember: you don't have to have the whole thing figured out before you start.*
https://thecreativecourageproject.substack.com/about
I like that~ you don’t have to have the whole thing figured out before you start! When I started, I had a plan overall, but I find as I write or think about writing, usually something else pops up-not that it’s veered off the overall plan totally, but a little offshoot that is meant to be at that time I guess.
My message to me would be; "Don't limit your options, there is unlimited room to learn, grow and emerge a different person and sit up straight when you type!"
As a Facebook refugee, I arrived at Substack as a platform to showcase my art with a bit of commentary. I didn't expect much. The funny thing is, I began to get feedback from the handful of readers that said they actually LIKED my writing! I was taken completely by surprise as the only training I had was my hated English courses in elementary and high school. It turns out that readers see beyond my clumsy style and picture taking, they actually liked the content, the story and my 'not taking things too seriously' vibe. I love humor, irony and the absurd and this apparently comes through. Who knew? I'm just an unfrozen artist in St. Helens, Oregon.
So, there is that, now only if I could find enough people who like the concept of turning old relics into art, then I may have accomplished something here on Substack. I am slowly getting more free subscribers, but nothing compared to the greatness of those I aspire to emulate.
I mean, you don't have to subscribe to my Substack or anything, but it would be really cool if you did.
(-‿◦)
Hey Dave, don't be afraid to drop a link to your publication here so that others can easily see and subscribe.
Thank you, I didn't want to be presumptive, so with your permission, here is my latest post;
https://open.substack.com/pub/davewise/p/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=ganqs
It'll be two years next March since I started writing The Hidden Pond. I felt I wanted a wider audience than the one I had for my newsletter, and I thought I knew what I would write about so I jumped in typing with all ten (well I really only use six) fingers, What's surprised me most is how seldom I plan ahead or keep a topics list, and still manage a weekly post. I use more images now than in the beginning, and the ratio of art to habitat has shifted somewhat in favor of habitat. I believe that's in response to and gratitude for the generosity of other like-minded writers here. Thank you all for the work you do.
Thank you for being part of this community, Dudley! It's wonderful how our work can evolve in response to and as part of a like-minded community while remaining uniquely ours.
I just wondered if I would make connection—if anyone would be interested in my subjects and my take on them.
I hope you found that connection, Victoria. I, for one, am very glad you're here.
Thank you!
It sounds ridiculous now, but I wasn’t sure I wanted people to actually read what I’d written! This was my very first post…Amazingly 29 people read it and I survived!
https://open.substack.com/pub/helenpoore/p/these-boots-were-made-for-wearing?r=1rr1h9&utm_medium=ios
I’d tell myself not to worry so much!
I've heard that from people a lot, actually! It's hard to put ourselves out there. I'm sure glad you did, Helen!
In December 2023, I decided I would write a daily note of creative encouragement every day for a year. I just celebrated the one-year anniversary of Creative Letters, and to my past self, I would say, thank you. Thank you for taking that leap, even though you were terrified. Thank you for diligently showing up day after day, even when you really didn't feel like it. Thank you for believing in yourself and your words. It was so, so worth it.
What a wonderful activity to do!
And in case anyone is interested, here's my anniversary post, which links back to that very first Creative Letter! https://creativeletters.substack.com/p/what-happens-if-you-do-something
thanks for making this space!!! i remember being super scared and vulnerable to start posting. i also relied on the external validation of likes and subscribes to gauge my success. but now, i would tell myself to take a deep breath and write about exactly what interests me. that enthusiasm is infectious! oh and also, don’t be afraid to write about personal life and experiences. those stories can be very engaging and a nice break from drier pieces!
Thanks for being here, ev! It's so hard to let go of external validation. I'm glad you're listening to your own voice instead.
I've believed in this concept for awhile and love using it as a visualization technique. I've worked through trauma with this mindset!
I love unexpected synchronicity!
Me too!
What a fun question! I started my Substack about tourism in January 2023 and have written twice a month pretty consistently. I was excited when I started. I like to write and share fun and interesting things I find. I would tell myself to keep going as long as I enjoy it and let it evolve and grow as I see fit.
That's a great attitude, Sonya!