The end of another month, and Helen Redfern and I are back with Our Substack Story podcast to share our March ups and downs, experiences and reflections. I know I’ve not made a big deal out of it or anything (insert eye roll here, see Not This Week,
I listened to this episode this morning with much interest. I had taken myself out on a walk to give myself a stern talking to about my neglected writing and creativity. Despite leaving the 9-5 exactly two years ago, to give myself time to write I have almost slipped back into the 9-5 without realising it, taking on more and more other work as I have been offered it. So, I loved listening to how you are both making time for your writing and prioritising it - something I have not done this year. Partly because my other jobs are how I earn my living, and at the moment I still need (and want) to do that., but they take up headspace too. I miss giving time to writing and spending days at my desk creating, and am frustrated by my lack of productivity. I seriously need to revisit my priorities and treat it with the seriousness I believe it deserves. You have given me much to reflect on. Thank you both as always xxx
So glad you listened and found it interesting, Angie. It's so easy to find yourself in this position and isn't easy to compartmentalise your creativity time. I'm working so hard at this to try and support us through my writing, because I know that if I take on other work this opportunity to write and create what I really want to write will be so hard to make time for (and that being said, I still need to find a way to get back to my novel too). This determination in you, this knowledge of what your priorities really are, will keep you fighting for your writing and creativity. 'Treat it with the seriousness I believe it deserves', that moved me. You and your writing DO deserve to be taken seriously–sounds like fighting talk to me <3 xxx
Thank you for your encouragement Claire. You are right about compartmentalisation, it isn't an easy thing to achieve. This morning despite having 2 other work meetings and other writing to do for work, I have written over 500 words on my own project. Woohoo!! x
Thank you both for such a wonderful reflection on your journeys.
Like both of you, I've been pondering a lot on the free and paid versions and whether there should even be a paid version. I love the reference of backstage pass and find I resonate a lot with that approach. Both of you are putting a lot into your individual Substacks and it should be resiprocated by those that feel called to do so or are able to do so. But us little humans like to feel icky about money, I guess for various reasons. So I find it is about connecting with that sense of self-worth where your work should be reciprocated.
I'm glad to hear that your April goals are not around numbers. That's definitely a personal journey I've gone on, but again, it is easier said than done not to obsess over the numbers. Obviously, numbers matter but they're not necesserily an indication of our self-worth or how valuable our writing/resources are. I look forward to hearing about that journey for you!
Charging for my writing has definitely been a process with lots of icky thoughts and moments. It’s definitely a journey and one lots of us try to avoid. Thank you so much for listening and for sharing your thoughts x
Thank you so much for listening Silvia and I’m really glad our discussion resonates with your journey too. Absolutely agree with all your insights here. That self-worth should definitely not be attached to the numbers, but how we value what we’re sharing and then yes that feels worthy of reciprocation. And thank you, I hope that taking it a bit easier over the Easter holidays will set me right again x
Thank you so much for listening and commenting, Caroline! I'm really pleased that our discussion is encouraging you to reflect on your own Substack journey––big smile for that. I genuinely think taking this monthly opportunity to reflect and discuss with Helen, is making a huge difference for me. There are so many ups and downs to sharing your work and looking to grow your audience, and zooming out once a month is giving me better perspective to make decisions moving forward. And thanks for the get well wishes. I've stopped beating myself over the head trying to get a deep-dive newsletter out this week and will take some rest and recovery time x
Thanks for another great listen, Claire and Helen! It's really interesting to hear how you're using Substack - in these behind-the-scenes podcasts I'm hearing about stuff that isn't even on my radar! I'm making progress with my own Stack, and really enjoying myself with it. And yay to planning (with which I'm obsessed... as long as I can do it in pencil!). 😉
Thank you, Luisa! Not appreciating how far we've come is so common. I've probably had those thoughts at least once today. It's a struggle we have to face every day with our creativity - but we will overcome it!
Glad you found it resonated! I’m going to say no, it’s not ridiculous, it’s human. BUT it also can be unhelpful to keep piling on pressure to meet bigger and bigger targets, which can then hold us back. I think talking about it and therefore noticing it at least stops us in our tracks for a minute, so we can get back to being proud of what is going well. And wow you have a lot to be proud about, Luisa! 🤩
Will you and Helen be doing an April reflection? I look forward to listening to you chat every month.
We recorded it today and it’ll be uploaded tomorrow x
Great can't wait to listen x
So lovely to be looked forward to! That’s made my day, Caroline! ❤️
I listened to this episode this morning with much interest. I had taken myself out on a walk to give myself a stern talking to about my neglected writing and creativity. Despite leaving the 9-5 exactly two years ago, to give myself time to write I have almost slipped back into the 9-5 without realising it, taking on more and more other work as I have been offered it. So, I loved listening to how you are both making time for your writing and prioritising it - something I have not done this year. Partly because my other jobs are how I earn my living, and at the moment I still need (and want) to do that., but they take up headspace too. I miss giving time to writing and spending days at my desk creating, and am frustrated by my lack of productivity. I seriously need to revisit my priorities and treat it with the seriousness I believe it deserves. You have given me much to reflect on. Thank you both as always xxx
So glad you listened and found it interesting, Angie. It's so easy to find yourself in this position and isn't easy to compartmentalise your creativity time. I'm working so hard at this to try and support us through my writing, because I know that if I take on other work this opportunity to write and create what I really want to write will be so hard to make time for (and that being said, I still need to find a way to get back to my novel too). This determination in you, this knowledge of what your priorities really are, will keep you fighting for your writing and creativity. 'Treat it with the seriousness I believe it deserves', that moved me. You and your writing DO deserve to be taken seriously–sounds like fighting talk to me <3 xxx
Thank you for your encouragement Claire. You are right about compartmentalisation, it isn't an easy thing to achieve. This morning despite having 2 other work meetings and other writing to do for work, I have written over 500 words on my own project. Woohoo!! x
Woohoo indeed! That’s brilliant, Angie! 👏🏻👏🏻xx
PS: I have a folder in evernote titled 'Books and TV recommended by Claire'!!
Well THAT has completely made my day!! xx
Thank you both for such a wonderful reflection on your journeys.
Like both of you, I've been pondering a lot on the free and paid versions and whether there should even be a paid version. I love the reference of backstage pass and find I resonate a lot with that approach. Both of you are putting a lot into your individual Substacks and it should be resiprocated by those that feel called to do so or are able to do so. But us little humans like to feel icky about money, I guess for various reasons. So I find it is about connecting with that sense of self-worth where your work should be reciprocated.
I'm glad to hear that your April goals are not around numbers. That's definitely a personal journey I've gone on, but again, it is easier said than done not to obsess over the numbers. Obviously, numbers matter but they're not necesserily an indication of our self-worth or how valuable our writing/resources are. I look forward to hearing about that journey for you!
P.S. I hope you feel better!
Charging for my writing has definitely been a process with lots of icky thoughts and moments. It’s definitely a journey and one lots of us try to avoid. Thank you so much for listening and for sharing your thoughts x
Thank you so much for listening Silvia and I’m really glad our discussion resonates with your journey too. Absolutely agree with all your insights here. That self-worth should definitely not be attached to the numbers, but how we value what we’re sharing and then yes that feels worthy of reciprocation. And thank you, I hope that taking it a bit easier over the Easter holidays will set me right again x
I loved listening to this once again You both inspire me to follow my own Substack journey xx . I hope you feel better soon Claire xx
I’m so pleased it’s inspiring you! X
Thank you so much for listening and commenting, Caroline! I'm really pleased that our discussion is encouraging you to reflect on your own Substack journey––big smile for that. I genuinely think taking this monthly opportunity to reflect and discuss with Helen, is making a huge difference for me. There are so many ups and downs to sharing your work and looking to grow your audience, and zooming out once a month is giving me better perspective to make decisions moving forward. And thanks for the get well wishes. I've stopped beating myself over the head trying to get a deep-dive newsletter out this week and will take some rest and recovery time x
Thanks for another great listen, Claire and Helen! It's really interesting to hear how you're using Substack - in these behind-the-scenes podcasts I'm hearing about stuff that isn't even on my radar! I'm making progress with my own Stack, and really enjoying myself with it. And yay to planning (with which I'm obsessed... as long as I can do it in pencil!). 😉
Thank you for listening, Rebecca. And thank you for taking the time to dual comment too! Very much appreciated <3
Always a great listen! Thanks again. 😊 And I hope your cold clears up soon!
Thank you. Me too! Very bored of it now 🙄
Thank you, Luisa! Not appreciating how far we've come is so common. I've probably had those thoughts at least once today. It's a struggle we have to face every day with our creativity - but we will overcome it!
Glad you found it resonated! I’m going to say no, it’s not ridiculous, it’s human. BUT it also can be unhelpful to keep piling on pressure to meet bigger and bigger targets, which can then hold us back. I think talking about it and therefore noticing it at least stops us in our tracks for a minute, so we can get back to being proud of what is going well. And wow you have a lot to be proud about, Luisa! 🤩
Thank you 🥰