I've spent the last couple of weeks thinking many of these thoughts, and—per usual—you've expressed them more beautifully than I could articulate myself. Not only do I completely support this shift and will continue to welcome you into my inbox whenever you hit the 'publish' button, but I'm grateful for it. Less noise. More value. Living fully. I'm continually grateful for the example you set to focus on what truly matters most, Jesse.
Those are kind words, Erin and equally important, they show a solidarity between us that will make this space a more genuine and sustainable place to publish. It’s unpleasant to lose subscribers because of this essay, but I’d rather have connections of value than the fleeting dopamine-rush of favorable traffic stats.
Thank you for the support and connection- it’s what keeps me here.
I fully support the direction you are going and I’m interested to see where it leads. For a while now I’ve considered detaching from the weekly posting schedule. It can feel overwhelming at times. I haven’t done that yet because I do think it holds me accountable to writing, when I might otherwise put it off. I’m looking forward to your future essays!
I’ve had the same thought at you for awhile now (i.e., accountability). While it will lead potentially to me procrastinating/slacking/delaying, I found it was forcing me to publish work before it was “ready” so it started feeling rushed.
Since Substack seems to be its own medium now, I see this as part of the figuring-it-out process. Is it meant to be quick, thought material? Polished essays? I clearly don’t have the answer! 😂
But I hope to refine my work and publishing schedule to something that feels sustainable and meaningful.
I think we’re all just making this up as we go along. I mean, Substack is technically an email newsletter but my publication is not news and I really hope people do not read it in their emails!
The questions are- what do we want our publications to be? and how do we achieve that?
I get where you're coming from, Jesse, and I think it's always best to follow your heart and your gut. Content is so commoditized these days, and I admit that I contribute to that madness as well in the search to make a living. Unfortunately for me, drinking beer at campgrounds and hiking doesn't pay the bills. Haha.
Do your best work as you have time and passion. You will have people like us ready to read when you do.
James- I can’t fault anyone for the madness. Commodification of online spaces and content is inevitable to a point. Admittedly, I’m bad at it, but if I was better at it (and enjoyed it), I might try it more!
I made a fantastic living in the online game before it became so popular and accepted, but today, I'd rather be in the woods with no wifi, no phone, and no connection to all the bullshit we're expected to do. I seriously don't know why I came back. LOL
We are in a similar spot brother. I made a commitment to post once a week when I first started and did it for about 18 months. Decided to shift when it felt right for my long-form posts while leaning into everything else I’m doing such as podcasts, reflective questions, notes, daily challenge, etc.
Most importantly, I refused to compromise my values or life outside of writing to maintain a self-imposed cadence that no longer served me.
Beautiful explanation of a pivot that makes complete sense.
Really helpful to hear more about your process here, Kyle. The compromise element is key. As I mentioned to @Erik Hogan, I struggled with the decision because of the accountability issue; sticking to a schedule helped (for a while), but also made me rush and publish before I was ready. (Or maybe its just me coming up with an excuse to be a slacker! 😎🛶)
I'm with you, pen and paper, take them outside with me to wander as I wonder.
I'm not feeling the shared writing lately but I also don't feel guilt like I would have six months ago. I did launch a paid subscriber gift for this past month and it has brought me tremendous joy. I knew those subscribers would value and appreciate the effort. Like you, I'm muddling along, making more effort to remain true to self. Take your bow for a walk, that is the truest gift.
Yes, you’re right Stacy- that is a true gift. Here’s to finding the line between the chaos/overwhelm of the digital writing world and artistic sustainability.
Publish essays when they’re ready rather than on a strict schedule. Check!
I agree with your statement:
“I believe the reader-writer synergy can uphold long-form and meaningful content, preventing all newsletters from becoming bullet point writing that primarily focuses on selling something and scrollability.”
Do you feel you’re getting enough reader response to your writing? How do you define “enough”? It’s an issue I’m pondering lately.
Baird- That question about “enough” is now philosophical for me.
Do I want more reader response? Yes. What’s enough? It will never be “enough;” more subscribers, money, etc.
Then why write? Connection, money, fame? For myself? Writing into the void is depressing to me. I need some type of feedback.
This isn’t a way to make money or fame (at least not the subjects I write about). In the process of writing this piece and coming back to a true North, what feels right is going back to why I started writing: understanding.
Through writing, I can share this understanding with others in a compelling way that improves some element of the world. And hopefully I receive some type of feedback along the way.
Thank you, Baird, for reading and sharing that question.
Your thoughts align with mine, Jesse. Thanks. The “writing into the void” feeling has gotten stronger for me which, along with feeling I don’t have much new to say, probably accounts for my not writing any new essays for a while. So it goes.
Well said Jesse. I too most often write my thoughts with pen & paper first before transcribing. We are definitely alike in that way. I look forward to reading more of your work and seeing what you are up to. Happy hunting & good luck this season!
You need to follow that path that feels good for you....and as others have mentioned....quality over quantity. Personally I feel a weekly posting schedule is too much and I have backed off from that - to about 3 times a month. I am trying to work on my own creative flow AND finding time to keep up my reading on others writers who inspire me. And like you, I need time to get outside and spend time with others. Thank you for your thoughtful letter.
💯 That’s really good to hear, Jenn. I feel very similar to you and appreciate you sharing some of your process/thoughts. It’s certainly empowering to find others operating on a similar wavelength.
I've spent the last couple of weeks thinking many of these thoughts, and—per usual—you've expressed them more beautifully than I could articulate myself. Not only do I completely support this shift and will continue to welcome you into my inbox whenever you hit the 'publish' button, but I'm grateful for it. Less noise. More value. Living fully. I'm continually grateful for the example you set to focus on what truly matters most, Jesse.
Those are kind words, Erin and equally important, they show a solidarity between us that will make this space a more genuine and sustainable place to publish. It’s unpleasant to lose subscribers because of this essay, but I’d rather have connections of value than the fleeting dopamine-rush of favorable traffic stats.
Thank you for the support and connection- it’s what keeps me here.
I fully support the direction you are going and I’m interested to see where it leads. For a while now I’ve considered detaching from the weekly posting schedule. It can feel overwhelming at times. I haven’t done that yet because I do think it holds me accountable to writing, when I might otherwise put it off. I’m looking forward to your future essays!
I’ve had the same thought at you for awhile now (i.e., accountability). While it will lead potentially to me procrastinating/slacking/delaying, I found it was forcing me to publish work before it was “ready” so it started feeling rushed.
Since Substack seems to be its own medium now, I see this as part of the figuring-it-out process. Is it meant to be quick, thought material? Polished essays? I clearly don’t have the answer! 😂
But I hope to refine my work and publishing schedule to something that feels sustainable and meaningful.
Thanks, Erik.
I think we’re all just making this up as we go along. I mean, Substack is technically an email newsletter but my publication is not news and I really hope people do not read it in their emails!
The questions are- what do we want our publications to be? and how do we achieve that?
Good questions, and for me, the abundance of choices tends to be overwhelming. Onward!
I get where you're coming from, Jesse, and I think it's always best to follow your heart and your gut. Content is so commoditized these days, and I admit that I contribute to that madness as well in the search to make a living. Unfortunately for me, drinking beer at campgrounds and hiking doesn't pay the bills. Haha.
Do your best work as you have time and passion. You will have people like us ready to read when you do.
James- I can’t fault anyone for the madness. Commodification of online spaces and content is inevitable to a point. Admittedly, I’m bad at it, but if I was better at it (and enjoyed it), I might try it more!
Anyway, thanks for the support.
I made a fantastic living in the online game before it became so popular and accepted, but today, I'd rather be in the woods with no wifi, no phone, and no connection to all the bullshit we're expected to do. I seriously don't know why I came back. LOL
Right there with you, Jesse.
I appreciate that, Jane 😊
We are in a similar spot brother. I made a commitment to post once a week when I first started and did it for about 18 months. Decided to shift when it felt right for my long-form posts while leaning into everything else I’m doing such as podcasts, reflective questions, notes, daily challenge, etc.
Most importantly, I refused to compromise my values or life outside of writing to maintain a self-imposed cadence that no longer served me.
Beautiful explanation of a pivot that makes complete sense.
I’m here for all of it, forever.
Really helpful to hear more about your process here, Kyle. The compromise element is key. As I mentioned to @Erik Hogan, I struggled with the decision because of the accountability issue; sticking to a schedule helped (for a while), but also made me rush and publish before I was ready. (Or maybe its just me coming up with an excuse to be a slacker! 😎🛶)
I'm with you, pen and paper, take them outside with me to wander as I wonder.
I'm not feeling the shared writing lately but I also don't feel guilt like I would have six months ago. I did launch a paid subscriber gift for this past month and it has brought me tremendous joy. I knew those subscribers would value and appreciate the effort. Like you, I'm muddling along, making more effort to remain true to self. Take your bow for a walk, that is the truest gift.
Yes, you’re right Stacy- that is a true gift. Here’s to finding the line between the chaos/overwhelm of the digital writing world and artistic sustainability.
You said this so perfectly and I felt your words down to my toes. Thank you.
Thank you, Erin! Very nice of you to say and glad it resonated.
Such a refreshing perspective. Thank you.
Thank you, Cliff.
Publish essays when they’re ready rather than on a strict schedule. Check!
I agree with your statement:
“I believe the reader-writer synergy can uphold long-form and meaningful content, preventing all newsletters from becoming bullet point writing that primarily focuses on selling something and scrollability.”
Do you feel you’re getting enough reader response to your writing? How do you define “enough”? It’s an issue I’m pondering lately.
Thanks for your good writing, Jesse. 👏
Baird- That question about “enough” is now philosophical for me.
Do I want more reader response? Yes. What’s enough? It will never be “enough;” more subscribers, money, etc.
Then why write? Connection, money, fame? For myself? Writing into the void is depressing to me. I need some type of feedback.
This isn’t a way to make money or fame (at least not the subjects I write about). In the process of writing this piece and coming back to a true North, what feels right is going back to why I started writing: understanding.
Through writing, I can share this understanding with others in a compelling way that improves some element of the world. And hopefully I receive some type of feedback along the way.
Thank you, Baird, for reading and sharing that question.
Your thoughts align with mine, Jesse. Thanks. The “writing into the void” feeling has gotten stronger for me which, along with feeling I don’t have much new to say, probably accounts for my not writing any new essays for a while. So it goes.
Well said Jesse. I too most often write my thoughts with pen & paper first before transcribing. We are definitely alike in that way. I look forward to reading more of your work and seeing what you are up to. Happy hunting & good luck this season!
Anthony- Thank you for your note here. There’s just something that works better with the pen & paper!
Good luck to you as well and here’s to more exploring!
You need to follow that path that feels good for you....and as others have mentioned....quality over quantity. Personally I feel a weekly posting schedule is too much and I have backed off from that - to about 3 times a month. I am trying to work on my own creative flow AND finding time to keep up my reading on others writers who inspire me. And like you, I need time to get outside and spend time with others. Thank you for your thoughtful letter.
💯 That’s really good to hear, Jenn. I feel very similar to you and appreciate you sharing some of your process/thoughts. It’s certainly empowering to find others operating on a similar wavelength.
Thank you.