I’d love to know how you feel about Substack. I’m fairly sure I feel the same as when I do on IG. And I’m fairly sure it’s the same in terms of needing to be on the app for ages to grow... but people seem to see it as something different
yup, yup, yup. Actually, I recently decided that I was going to pay attention to my instagram again after being burnt out on it constantly promoting our bakery business. It was a nice, long break of infrequent posting and I really did think that I was going to ride off into the social media sunset after we closed our business. Oh well. I am back.
It was amazing to not be on it for all those years. I didn’t miss anything and I felt good knowing I didn’t miss it then going back on I was so confident that all my years away would make me stronger but nope!
Love a good rant! Especially when it’s so grounded in lived experience. I’m constantly rolling my eyes at my husband who is on his phone 24/7 but find that I’m also reaching for the sweet relief of screen time when I’m 2 hours deep into ‘playtime’ with my 12 month old 🫠 #guilty
Hi! My name is Hilary and I'm a social-media addict. Such a relatable post, Stephanie! The struggle is so real. On the one hand, since I don't work in an office anymore, social media helps me keep in touch with people I never see. But what makes it insidious, as you so eloquently described in your post, is that posting something only begets more compulsion. Like you, when I post something, I keep going back to see if anyone noticed, liked the post, or commented. The platforms are designed that way to dole out dopamine hits for validation so I guess we can't help it, but it's frustrating to know that these corporate overlords and algorithms can control us so easily. I set limits via my phone so that I'm only allowed one hour a day on social media apps for that amount of time, but there's a cheat and when you reach your limit and you can choose one more minute, fifteen more minutes, or ignore limit for the day. If I've posted a photo, I'll usually ignore the limit for the day. On days when I haven't posted, I can usually stick to one hour. Sad. We're told by gatekeepers and marketing experts that we need to put our work out there and build a platform. There's so much pressure to be our own marketing teams. I do love that Substack actually feels like a nurturing environment for writers and run by writers and we don't have gatekeepers preventing us for publishing our work. I don't feel the same ick on here that I feel with Instagram and Facebook and it's largely because of wonderful and generous spirits like you, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing my post! You made my day.
Hahaha my name is Stephanie Cooley and I am social media addict. Especially today because I have a post out and now I’m checking my phone to see the likes and the comments and restacks and all “good” things but I will say that I ignored my kids this am and my son was trying to show me his new Lego and I “uh-huh uh-huh” him with the worst performance of pretending to like legos scene of my career. I agree with you on substack. It has been where I’ve had more meaningful connections. I just can’t be on notes. It’s too much! And then makes me feel like I’m falling behind somehow!
A very bad very toxic boyfriend! I want to break up but all my stuff is at his place and we have vacation plans together next month so maybe I’ll stick around since it’s easier :)
I am in a CONSTANT battle when it comes to Instagram. Daily. When we first came away travelling, I set up a van life instagram account, you know because everyone else was doing it, and I felt so much pressure to post meaningful content. But you are right, what is meaningful content?? I hated it in the end and now I rarely post on it because I hate how the pressure makes me feel.
I took a week off Instagram in August and I loved it. But now I'm back on it, I can't seem to bring myself to break up with it again or for good. The addiction is real. I wish I had the will power to stick to daily limits but I'm just kidding myself. I like aspects of Instagram (promoting my writing, following certain people) but for the most part, it's just a time drain and I'm none the wiser on how I should approach it.
Anyway, after that rant haha, I would like to add a huge thank you for including me in this weeks post!! I love your idea of Substack rising writers! We need to celebrate those will smaller audiences for sure ⭐️💜☺️
Oh my gosh yes! If you’re traveling and living in a van it’s totally expected of you! I can imagine the mind game of... am I taking this picture of this epic place so I can remember it or so I can post it? 2 summers ago we went to Italy as a family and since I was with another family whose husband loves to take photos I just let him do it since I knew I’d get his pictures later. It was really nice not to have my phone out to try to get that IG pic.
Also you’re welcome! I really resonated with your piece this week. I have so many started drafts that are in the crap pile. Ha!
Oh my god so much resonance in this post! Particularly the create/obsess about engagement piece! I want to leave... I don’t seem to be able to... but maybe it’s time!!!!
I really appreciate how many exclamation points you put in this comment because it’s my feelings exactly. You can imagine that since today is the day I post I’m on my phone A LOT. Ugh
I didn’t notice that but now I see it’s very exclamation heavy. I kind of want to do a 6 month experiment away from IG and focus on just creating here with some strong boundaries around the way I interact with the app... but I’ve not had the courage... yet!
I agree, I feel the same on substack’s notes. It’s not entirely the same and as addicting but it does have very similar traits and brings up similar feelings for me. It often feels calculated, always like I’m trying to keep up, and I have FOMO. I try not to be on it. I scroll through maybe 1x a day but I mostly just look at my feed of subscribed writers and restack or comment there. I like finding new writers in those comment sections.
Thank you for sharing ❤️
I’d love to know how you feel about Substack. I’m fairly sure I feel the same as when I do on IG. And I’m fairly sure it’s the same in terms of needing to be on the app for ages to grow... but people seem to see it as something different
yup, yup, yup. Actually, I recently decided that I was going to pay attention to my instagram again after being burnt out on it constantly promoting our bakery business. It was a nice, long break of infrequent posting and I really did think that I was going to ride off into the social media sunset after we closed our business. Oh well. I am back.
It was amazing to not be on it for all those years. I didn’t miss anything and I felt good knowing I didn’t miss it then going back on I was so confident that all my years away would make me stronger but nope!
Such a great piece! Honestly, I feel this is going to resonate with so many 🙌
Thanks! It felt like a rant but I think that’s how we all feel... it’s one big ol’ rant and long winded complaint.
Love a good rant! Especially when it’s so grounded in lived experience. I’m constantly rolling my eyes at my husband who is on his phone 24/7 but find that I’m also reaching for the sweet relief of screen time when I’m 2 hours deep into ‘playtime’ with my 12 month old 🫠 #guilty
Hi! My name is Hilary and I'm a social-media addict. Such a relatable post, Stephanie! The struggle is so real. On the one hand, since I don't work in an office anymore, social media helps me keep in touch with people I never see. But what makes it insidious, as you so eloquently described in your post, is that posting something only begets more compulsion. Like you, when I post something, I keep going back to see if anyone noticed, liked the post, or commented. The platforms are designed that way to dole out dopamine hits for validation so I guess we can't help it, but it's frustrating to know that these corporate overlords and algorithms can control us so easily. I set limits via my phone so that I'm only allowed one hour a day on social media apps for that amount of time, but there's a cheat and when you reach your limit and you can choose one more minute, fifteen more minutes, or ignore limit for the day. If I've posted a photo, I'll usually ignore the limit for the day. On days when I haven't posted, I can usually stick to one hour. Sad. We're told by gatekeepers and marketing experts that we need to put our work out there and build a platform. There's so much pressure to be our own marketing teams. I do love that Substack actually feels like a nurturing environment for writers and run by writers and we don't have gatekeepers preventing us for publishing our work. I don't feel the same ick on here that I feel with Instagram and Facebook and it's largely because of wonderful and generous spirits like you, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing my post! You made my day.
Hahaha my name is Stephanie Cooley and I am social media addict. Especially today because I have a post out and now I’m checking my phone to see the likes and the comments and restacks and all “good” things but I will say that I ignored my kids this am and my son was trying to show me his new Lego and I “uh-huh uh-huh” him with the worst performance of pretending to like legos scene of my career. I agree with you on substack. It has been where I’ve had more meaningful connections. I just can’t be on notes. It’s too much! And then makes me feel like I’m falling behind somehow!
yesssss! totally can relate. like a (bad) boyfriend that i can't seem to let go....
A very bad very toxic boyfriend! I want to break up but all my stuff is at his place and we have vacation plans together next month so maybe I’ll stick around since it’s easier :)
Wow can I relate to this 😂
I am in a CONSTANT battle when it comes to Instagram. Daily. When we first came away travelling, I set up a van life instagram account, you know because everyone else was doing it, and I felt so much pressure to post meaningful content. But you are right, what is meaningful content?? I hated it in the end and now I rarely post on it because I hate how the pressure makes me feel.
I took a week off Instagram in August and I loved it. But now I'm back on it, I can't seem to bring myself to break up with it again or for good. The addiction is real. I wish I had the will power to stick to daily limits but I'm just kidding myself. I like aspects of Instagram (promoting my writing, following certain people) but for the most part, it's just a time drain and I'm none the wiser on how I should approach it.
Anyway, after that rant haha, I would like to add a huge thank you for including me in this weeks post!! I love your idea of Substack rising writers! We need to celebrate those will smaller audiences for sure ⭐️💜☺️
Oh my gosh yes! If you’re traveling and living in a van it’s totally expected of you! I can imagine the mind game of... am I taking this picture of this epic place so I can remember it or so I can post it? 2 summers ago we went to Italy as a family and since I was with another family whose husband loves to take photos I just let him do it since I knew I’d get his pictures later. It was really nice not to have my phone out to try to get that IG pic.
Also you’re welcome! I really resonated with your piece this week. I have so many started drafts that are in the crap pile. Ha!
Oh my god so much resonance in this post! Particularly the create/obsess about engagement piece! I want to leave... I don’t seem to be able to... but maybe it’s time!!!!
I really appreciate how many exclamation points you put in this comment because it’s my feelings exactly. You can imagine that since today is the day I post I’m on my phone A LOT. Ugh
I didn’t notice that but now I see it’s very exclamation heavy. I kind of want to do a 6 month experiment away from IG and focus on just creating here with some strong boundaries around the way I interact with the app... but I’ve not had the courage... yet!
I agree, I feel the same on substack’s notes. It’s not entirely the same and as addicting but it does have very similar traits and brings up similar feelings for me. It often feels calculated, always like I’m trying to keep up, and I have FOMO. I try not to be on it. I scroll through maybe 1x a day but I mostly just look at my feed of subscribed writers and restack or comment there. I like finding new writers in those comment sections.