One of the things that upsets me about Substack continuing to offer more and more features is that they become the expectation, and then we're expected to do more without wanting to. It's the same with Facebook. By the time I left, I was expected to do video and posts. Here, I'm expected to record my own audio, no video, and also write articles. As somebody with chronic illnesses, I can't do that.
Every time the expectation moves on, I am left behind because I just physically can't do a lot of those things.
Yes, wow you hit the nail on the head with this. I didn’t explore the unsaid expectation that we do more on this platform. I know they put out new features to make them competitive since they are a business but it also does something to our psyche as writers. We are being humans and trying to not to get stuck in the comparison trap or feeling like if we don’t do x we will be behind. But I have to ask myself, what am I behind in? So with that question, I just do what I can, what I want. If it speaks to me, then cool. If it doesn’t, then I hope I feel empowered to not do it. However!!! I have caught myself doing things because of the expectation many times! I just need to learn from the past, I guess.
I feel this post in my bones. I think about how much time I wasted trying to learn Reels or pivot to video on IG, only for it to really go nowhere. It was just *too much* and now I wish I could get all of that time back. 2024 will be the year of stepping back from a lot of things and I am genuinely looking forward to it.
Yes, step back, if you can! I don’t make money on this platform and don’t need it financially. I put too much pressure on myself. I do like writing my posts each week but it’s been taking time from other things that I want to do so I’m trying to find some sort of middle ground where I’m not finding myself buried in all the crap I’m doing!
Love love love this. Also, kudos for taking a break on your terms. Excited for you to rejuvenate over the holidays and hear from you when you're back! Thanks for the support.
Thanks Bryce! I sort of enjoy the social aspect of Substack right now, knowing I have nothing to promo for myself and just enjoy commenting and interacting on people’s work.
Stephanie!! Ditto to all of this. I love this post. I'm constantly double-scheduled and always forget what day I'm supposed to be where. Jared banned me from booking flights and buying movie tix years ago because I always booked the wrong day. It is heartening to know I'm not alone. This morning, I told Jared that I'm not going to put up the Christmas tree this year and rather add some lights to the tall plant in the living room. He looked at me like I'd whacked my head because he knows what holiday fanatic I can be, but the thought of not having to lug all the ornaments from the basement and scratch up my arms putting lights on the fake tree, brings sweet relief. Thank you so much for squeezing me into your very busy life yesterday. It was such a joy to meet you and spend some in-person time together. Very excited for your upcoming yoga teacher training. ❤️
Hilary, I feel very seen with your comment on messing up scheduling. I don’t know anyone else who does it as bad as me! Also you do what you want or don’t want! I’m so glad we met! And you got to witness my kid trying to beat her personal running record around a random play yard haha!
Yes! Rest is a great priority. The burnout is coming for a lot of us. It's why I decided to stop hitting publish here for awhile. I love writing this newsletter but it takes a lot of my time and mental space.
Love the caption to the image! And such a great post, so many interesting things going on here, I love that you called BS on yourself. I think I need to take that energy into 2024. haha :)
I feel all of this. I recently showed up to an optometrist appointment last Monday, huffing apologies for being 10 minutes late when in fact my appointment was the following Monday. 🫣
I resonate with so much of this - especially the challenge of mono tasking. I have decided to make that a priority for me in 2024 (I actually just wrote about it in my latest post last week). I can’t do a damn thing around my house without steaming a podcast/someone else’s voice in my ears. Why is that? I don’t know if it’s hive mentality in this space, but you’re not alone Stephanie. I love the humor you infuse in your writing by the way. This was a great read! Enjoy the playful break with your family.
One of the things that upsets me about Substack continuing to offer more and more features is that they become the expectation, and then we're expected to do more without wanting to. It's the same with Facebook. By the time I left, I was expected to do video and posts. Here, I'm expected to record my own audio, no video, and also write articles. As somebody with chronic illnesses, I can't do that.
Every time the expectation moves on, I am left behind because I just physically can't do a lot of those things.
Yes, wow you hit the nail on the head with this. I didn’t explore the unsaid expectation that we do more on this platform. I know they put out new features to make them competitive since they are a business but it also does something to our psyche as writers. We are being humans and trying to not to get stuck in the comparison trap or feeling like if we don’t do x we will be behind. But I have to ask myself, what am I behind in? So with that question, I just do what I can, what I want. If it speaks to me, then cool. If it doesn’t, then I hope I feel empowered to not do it. However!!! I have caught myself doing things because of the expectation many times! I just need to learn from the past, I guess.
I feel this post in my bones. I think about how much time I wasted trying to learn Reels or pivot to video on IG, only for it to really go nowhere. It was just *too much* and now I wish I could get all of that time back. 2024 will be the year of stepping back from a lot of things and I am genuinely looking forward to it.
Yes, step back, if you can! I don’t make money on this platform and don’t need it financially. I put too much pressure on myself. I do like writing my posts each week but it’s been taking time from other things that I want to do so I’m trying to find some sort of middle ground where I’m not finding myself buried in all the crap I’m doing!
Love love love this. Also, kudos for taking a break on your terms. Excited for you to rejuvenate over the holidays and hear from you when you're back! Thanks for the support.
Thanks Bryce! I sort of enjoy the social aspect of Substack right now, knowing I have nothing to promo for myself and just enjoy commenting and interacting on people’s work.
Stephanie!! Ditto to all of this. I love this post. I'm constantly double-scheduled and always forget what day I'm supposed to be where. Jared banned me from booking flights and buying movie tix years ago because I always booked the wrong day. It is heartening to know I'm not alone. This morning, I told Jared that I'm not going to put up the Christmas tree this year and rather add some lights to the tall plant in the living room. He looked at me like I'd whacked my head because he knows what holiday fanatic I can be, but the thought of not having to lug all the ornaments from the basement and scratch up my arms putting lights on the fake tree, brings sweet relief. Thank you so much for squeezing me into your very busy life yesterday. It was such a joy to meet you and spend some in-person time together. Very excited for your upcoming yoga teacher training. ❤️
Hilary, I feel very seen with your comment on messing up scheduling. I don’t know anyone else who does it as bad as me! Also you do what you want or don’t want! I’m so glad we met! And you got to witness my kid trying to beat her personal running record around a random play yard haha!
Congrats on starting your YTT next year! I earned my 200-hour in 2021 and it was such an amazing experience.
Thank you! I look forward to it so much. I know I'm going to learn so much and learn more about myself through the process.
I for one, am definitely trying to prioritize rest! I can feel the burn out coming on and it’s too much.
Yes! Rest is a great priority. The burnout is coming for a lot of us. It's why I decided to stop hitting publish here for awhile. I love writing this newsletter but it takes a lot of my time and mental space.
Thank you for this thought. A one priority day...i think that could go a long way for me!
Love the caption to the image! And such a great post, so many interesting things going on here, I love that you called BS on yourself. I think I need to take that energy into 2024. haha :)
One priority is interesting too!
I feel all of this. I recently showed up to an optometrist appointment last Monday, huffing apologies for being 10 minutes late when in fact my appointment was the following Monday. 🫣
I resonate with so much of this - especially the challenge of mono tasking. I have decided to make that a priority for me in 2024 (I actually just wrote about it in my latest post last week). I can’t do a damn thing around my house without steaming a podcast/someone else’s voice in my ears. Why is that? I don’t know if it’s hive mentality in this space, but you’re not alone Stephanie. I love the humor you infuse in your writing by the way. This was a great read! Enjoy the playful break with your family.