Anytime I get burned out by the rat race (has happened often in the 20 years I've been writing online... did you have a Xanga too??), I take a break and say I'm done, then ultimately come back even in a tiny way because I just can't *not* write.
I long to be seen by others. I want my words to benefit someone. But when I look at my stats, all I think is "I *should* try harder, write more consistently, find a niche..."
So I have a choice: to either buckle down and play the algorithm and do what "they" say you should do for growth... or just write. I'm at the stage of life where I'm choosing the second option.
I long for community, yes, and so I keep commenting when something resonates, and maybe someday I'll have a breakthrough. But right now... I'm on Substack only because it's a place to store my thoughts and words, even if only 10 people read them.
I remind myself I'm doing this writing for me, as part of my healing process, and it's not about 'likes' but I'm not kidding myself - it IS about being Seen. It Is about connecting and Aligning with others who Get It so we all feel a little Less alone while we're jumping through the hoops on here.
I came to Substack because it felt like a place to breathe, a place that if I were going to be lost in the algorithms, at least it's quieter.
I'm a writer, I write, and I want to connect with others who write/read, and that is missing from the other apps that only contribute to more chaos and divisiveness in this world.
Many people don't Care about what's actually happening, they're just willing to jump on every trend and hot topic to be seen; I'm not nor do I have the time.
The algorithm rewards inauthenticity, a pretty face, a willingness to go along to get along.
Feeling like an 'outsider' on these apps reinforces how much I feel like an outsider in real life. Feeling the need to 'be here' does nothing for my mental health in these times, and also, being here helps me Remind You I See You.
In 6yrs of feeling like I 'have' to be on these apps for business, I have become so frustrated with doing something I Love, simply because there seems to be so Little Return (except for the Lovely Friends who support us Emotionally!!!)
After spending 7hrs writing and funneling my good energy into another day at the computer yesterday, only to wake up to the algorithm hiding Everything it seems, this hits so deep.
Anytime I get burned out by the rat race (has happened often in the 20 years I've been writing online... did you have a Xanga too??), I take a break and say I'm done, then ultimately come back even in a tiny way because I just can't *not* write.
I long to be seen by others. I want my words to benefit someone. But when I look at my stats, all I think is "I *should* try harder, write more consistently, find a niche..."
So I have a choice: to either buckle down and play the algorithm and do what "they" say you should do for growth... or just write. I'm at the stage of life where I'm choosing the second option.
I long for community, yes, and so I keep commenting when something resonates, and maybe someday I'll have a breakthrough. But right now... I'm on Substack only because it's a place to store my thoughts and words, even if only 10 people read them.
Yes! The longing to be seen! I feel like that’s part of the validation of being a “writer”.
I didn’t have Xanga but I was html coding a blog on angelfire and theknot.
I remind myself I'm doing this writing for me, as part of my healing process, and it's not about 'likes' but I'm not kidding myself - it IS about being Seen. It Is about connecting and Aligning with others who Get It so we all feel a little Less alone while we're jumping through the hoops on here.
I came to Substack because it felt like a place to breathe, a place that if I were going to be lost in the algorithms, at least it's quieter.
I'm a writer, I write, and I want to connect with others who write/read, and that is missing from the other apps that only contribute to more chaos and divisiveness in this world.
Many people don't Care about what's actually happening, they're just willing to jump on every trend and hot topic to be seen; I'm not nor do I have the time.
The algorithm rewards inauthenticity, a pretty face, a willingness to go along to get along.
Feeling like an 'outsider' on these apps reinforces how much I feel like an outsider in real life. Feeling the need to 'be here' does nothing for my mental health in these times, and also, being here helps me Remind You I See You.
I Love you! 🌸🫂
In 6yrs of feeling like I 'have' to be on these apps for business, I have become so frustrated with doing something I Love, simply because there seems to be so Little Return (except for the Lovely Friends who support us Emotionally!!!)
After spending 7hrs writing and funneling my good energy into another day at the computer yesterday, only to wake up to the algorithm hiding Everything it seems, this hits so deep.
"replacing God gadgets" 🙏
🤌💓
Thank you for sharing!