Since I wrote this, I think I'm gonna (and have started to!) approach Notes with a different perspective and it's similar to yours! It really is the best use of my time when it comes to "social media intake." Because comparisons aside (I can mentally overcome that at times), it really is nourishing to be around so many writers and creatives!
I thank you SO much for your kind words! You don't know how much it means to me. Also, thank you for the encouragement! I so appreciate it, because I was beginning to doubt myself a bit with how "sporadic" I *could* make content if I didn't try to fit it in some structure.
This all makes me think about rethinking how I show up on my newsletter; thank you! I got some thinking (and joy-filled work!) to do.
(Also, Nadia, I had one more favor to ask... could you be my very first blurb I can add to my welcome page? It's under dashboard > recommendations > manage > "Manage Recommendations" I thought I'd ask with how you're feeling about the newsletter, but no worries! No pressure. :) I see you have to recommend the newsletter as well now so seriously. NO. PRESSURE. Just thought I'd ask! :))
I'm gonna have to double-check, but I'm sure I changed my about page to say something along the lines of "yeah, so I'm gonna post when I'm able to and when pieces come to me rather than on a schedule for now!"
And I think I'll end up changing it permanently to exactly that. I'll post when I can, and when I do they'll be from the heart, inspirationally channeled through me (those are super fun to have come through!), and written with love. Rather than forced and churned out, ya know?
I like how you have that already figured out! No set schedule; they'll come when they come! (Also, yes! Gotta work with your body rather than against it, I get that.)
And THANK YOU!! Seriously, heart's fluttering with your kind words and nearly tearing up so thank you for believing in me!
I can believe in myself all day long, but there's just something about that type of validation from others as well that you're on the right path that makes you feel like you swallowed a ball of sunshine! :)
"I think Substack’s new Notes section has taken a negative toll on me, because I’m finding myself yet again comparing my work (and worth, gonna be honest) and ability to write anything meaningful to everyone else who seems to exist and thrive casually, yet exceptionally, over there."
Thanks for sharing this.
The short form, social media formats are hard. Their brevity seems to incentivize us (maybe just me) toward something—probably different for everyone—that is slightly performative, and maybe a tiny bit false. We go clever instead of deep — breezy instead of transparent.
I'm so glad (and feeling a bit bittersweet) that you reached out to comment on relating to this hate it, and love that I'm not alone in this feeling.
I'm definitely feeling the performative nature of short form social media; here on Notes it just feels like I don't belong and everything I'm doing is inadequate (which honestly, I'm truly not in a place where I'm able to churn out quality writing... But I think I'd still feel the same!).
I LOVE going deep! I could never get into TikTok and love watching people put their hearts into their writing, or a YouTube video--I'd take that any day.
Since I wrote this, I think I'm gonna (and have started to!) approach Notes with a different perspective and it's similar to yours! It really is the best use of my time when it comes to "social media intake." Because comparisons aside (I can mentally overcome that at times), it really is nourishing to be around so many writers and creatives!
I thank you SO much for your kind words! You don't know how much it means to me. Also, thank you for the encouragement! I so appreciate it, because I was beginning to doubt myself a bit with how "sporadic" I *could* make content if I didn't try to fit it in some structure.
This all makes me think about rethinking how I show up on my newsletter; thank you! I got some thinking (and joy-filled work!) to do.
(Also, Nadia, I had one more favor to ask... could you be my very first blurb I can add to my welcome page? It's under dashboard > recommendations > manage > "Manage Recommendations" I thought I'd ask with how you're feeling about the newsletter, but no worries! No pressure. :) I see you have to recommend the newsletter as well now so seriously. NO. PRESSURE. Just thought I'd ask! :))
I'm gonna have to double-check, but I'm sure I changed my about page to say something along the lines of "yeah, so I'm gonna post when I'm able to and when pieces come to me rather than on a schedule for now!"
And I think I'll end up changing it permanently to exactly that. I'll post when I can, and when I do they'll be from the heart, inspirationally channeled through me (those are super fun to have come through!), and written with love. Rather than forced and churned out, ya know?
I like how you have that already figured out! No set schedule; they'll come when they come! (Also, yes! Gotta work with your body rather than against it, I get that.)
And THANK YOU!! Seriously, heart's fluttering with your kind words and nearly tearing up so thank you for believing in me!
I can believe in myself all day long, but there's just something about that type of validation from others as well that you're on the right path that makes you feel like you swallowed a ball of sunshine! :)
"I think Substack’s new Notes section has taken a negative toll on me, because I’m finding myself yet again comparing my work (and worth, gonna be honest) and ability to write anything meaningful to everyone else who seems to exist and thrive casually, yet exceptionally, over there."
Thanks for sharing this.
The short form, social media formats are hard. Their brevity seems to incentivize us (maybe just me) toward something—probably different for everyone—that is slightly performative, and maybe a tiny bit false. We go clever instead of deep — breezy instead of transparent.
I'm so glad (and feeling a bit bittersweet) that you reached out to comment on relating to this hate it, and love that I'm not alone in this feeling.
I'm definitely feeling the performative nature of short form social media; here on Notes it just feels like I don't belong and everything I'm doing is inadequate (which honestly, I'm truly not in a place where I'm able to churn out quality writing... But I think I'd still feel the same!).
I LOVE going deep! I could never get into TikTok and love watching people put their hearts into their writing, or a YouTube video--I'd take that any day.
Thanks again for commenting on this!