Substack is a particularly challenging online place to be "discovered," so I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. You're doing just fine. Writers write, and that's what you're doing 😉
Thank you, Kathy! I expected it to be hard to be discovered, but I didn't expect to feel so strangely doubtful about whether my posts have value. I feel a bit better just for having put it into words. I appreciate your reading my posts!
It sounds as if you’re experiencing a deep sense of vulnerability after putting yourself down on paper, so to speak. Please continue to press that “Publish” button: Your words are worth reading, your insights are worth sharing….
Sigh. I've been through this internal conversation a bazillion times. Where I always settle is that I enjoy the process of writing, I often use it to discover something about myself or get clarity on a topic where I have conflicting feelings. And even though I never get the engagement I hope for, I'm (almost) always proud of what I write. You're a really good writer, and you're contributing to the art in the universe. Plus your story is interesting and worth reading. From that perspective, it's definitely worthwhile. I can also say that having a completed (although rarely read) book on a shelf is a really neat feeling. Few get the fame and fortune, the rest of us are in it to drive ourselves nuts.
I love the framing! If I'm driving myself nuts, I'm successful! I should put that on a post-it on my screen... Like you, I find self discovery (and learning) in writing. Thank you for the kind words.
When you're writing fulfills you and helps you process life past and present then there's value.
We are all so different in how we travel this journey called life.
Please don't be so hard on yourself. Enjoy this writing. It's a gift that many don't have. I need to say it and talk it out loud, you need to write it. Please see the value in the talent that you have. Love you ❤️
Thank you for the perspective that maybe I'm being hard on myself. It's hard to balance "realistic about what's possible" with "take it easy on yourself"! I do enjoy writing for its own sake. I hope that is reason enough to share it.
Such good questions, Fran - I get it. It's weird out here in Substackland and screenland, in general. So...congested. But somehow we all still fit. Keep nudging in and keep writing your book!
Your self discovery, is from your writing, right? This your writing has proved its worth already. Then what about those other girls who experience loss in their tweens and teens, you can speak to them regardless of profit and loss. I run a website for a group I belong to that due to the age of those involved sees little traffic. My thought is, as time goes on, those younger members will shift, before we need a tic toc channel!
Thank you! I hope your group doesn't have to get a tiktok channel... I can't imagine the pressure of having to make videos ("content") constantly! Gives me a headache just to think about it.
Substack is a particularly challenging online place to be "discovered," so I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. You're doing just fine. Writers write, and that's what you're doing 😉
Thank you, Kathy! I expected it to be hard to be discovered, but I didn't expect to feel so strangely doubtful about whether my posts have value. I feel a bit better just for having put it into words. I appreciate your reading my posts!
I don’t think you can be the person you are without writing! And the person you are is pretty amazing!!
Aunt Tommy, thank you, you are the best!
It sounds as if you’re experiencing a deep sense of vulnerability after putting yourself down on paper, so to speak. Please continue to press that “Publish” button: Your words are worth reading, your insights are worth sharing….
Thank you, Leslie, I will! I am grateful for your support.
Sigh. I've been through this internal conversation a bazillion times. Where I always settle is that I enjoy the process of writing, I often use it to discover something about myself or get clarity on a topic where I have conflicting feelings. And even though I never get the engagement I hope for, I'm (almost) always proud of what I write. You're a really good writer, and you're contributing to the art in the universe. Plus your story is interesting and worth reading. From that perspective, it's definitely worthwhile. I can also say that having a completed (although rarely read) book on a shelf is a really neat feeling. Few get the fame and fortune, the rest of us are in it to drive ourselves nuts.
I love the framing! If I'm driving myself nuts, I'm successful! I should put that on a post-it on my screen... Like you, I find self discovery (and learning) in writing. Thank you for the kind words.
When you're writing fulfills you and helps you process life past and present then there's value.
We are all so different in how we travel this journey called life.
Please don't be so hard on yourself. Enjoy this writing. It's a gift that many don't have. I need to say it and talk it out loud, you need to write it. Please see the value in the talent that you have. Love you ❤️
Thank you for the perspective that maybe I'm being hard on myself. It's hard to balance "realistic about what's possible" with "take it easy on yourself"! I do enjoy writing for its own sake. I hope that is reason enough to share it.
Such good questions, Fran - I get it. It's weird out here in Substackland and screenland, in general. So...congested. But somehow we all still fit. Keep nudging in and keep writing your book!
Thanks, Amy! I will.
Your self discovery, is from your writing, right? This your writing has proved its worth already. Then what about those other girls who experience loss in their tweens and teens, you can speak to them regardless of profit and loss. I run a website for a group I belong to that due to the age of those involved sees little traffic. My thought is, as time goes on, those younger members will shift, before we need a tic toc channel!
Thank you! I hope your group doesn't have to get a tiktok channel... I can't imagine the pressure of having to make videos ("content") constantly! Gives me a headache just to think about it.