I don’t have any tips but I wanted to say I relate with this so much - the pull of wanting to be known and remaining authentic. I also often worry about my audience and the various places they come from and who will think what about the things I say. It’s a constant struggle that I’m fighting through. I’m also doing instagram poetry btw. But I know there are more words in me, so I finally decided to add Substack to my collection of places I’m afraid . Haha. Hopefully I’ll be better at allowing me to be me here. 😊
It really is such a strange and often difficult battle. But I also feel that different platforms demand different things. I’m trying to stay myself on them, without letting too many trends take over me. Substack is such so beautiful and encouraging, you’re definitely in the right place!
Lovely read! I struggle to find a balance between wanting my art to provide some financial returns while, at the same time, not completely zapping it of its authenticity and fun. You mention that you're very conscious of this push and pull. I'm curious, when you find yourself in times where the balance between writing-as-money-maker and writing-as-fun is out of whack, do you have specific exercises to help you re-achieve balance?
Thank you Will! Yes, it’s definitely a difficult balancing act. Hmm, I can’t say I have any specific exercises, however, I do love the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. In it she says not to put too much pressure on wanting your creativity to provide for you financially, as you might scare it away. On the flip side, I follow @inspiredtowrite on Instagram and on days where I need a boost I’ll look at her posts. She often states how we deserve to be paid for our art (words), so this reminds me that it is possible.
I feel I have been in a similar place to you. In 2019/2020 I spent a lot of time and energy building a following to 1k on Instagram. I really wanted to start a creative business. But I just became burnt out. Especially as there was so much other stuff going on in my life at that time too. I also found myself moving away from what was authentic to me in the process. I had to take a step back. Then in recent years, I’ve just not had the energy to put in what is needed on social media. So instead I’ve been focusing on figuring out what direction I want my creativity to go in. Exploring what a creative life looks like for me.
You certainly have a clearer direction and dreams to me, so I can understand you wanting to put your work out there. We all like to be seen, and it does feel hard when comparison creeps in. I don’t know the best way to put your work out there. But I do think it’s important to remain true to you and find your own path. I believe you will get there. It just might not always be along the path you expect. Keep writing. Your poetry is beautiful to read.✨
It can be so disheartening having the desire and dreams to create, but feeling as though the pressure of social media takes that away. You’re right, it takes so much energy creating these days to even have a handful of people view it.
I think even having the desire to live a creative life like you clearly have, is the most important thing. Keep exploring and keep curious about that 🤍 What you share is so beautiful and having that balance is really important!
Thank you for your kind words and for always being so supportive. It truly means the world 🤍 I’ve had a dream to create things since I was child, but it was only until I found poetry a few years that I knew I’d stumbled onto the right path for me.
Oh I hear you! I posted about the same kind of feeling just yesterday. The main difference being, I have practically no followers at all 😄. It's all relative, though; we can all fall into the trap of comparatives, and there is always someone who posts about their success, just at the point it's truly not healthy and helpful for you to read it.
I believe you already know the answer, which is to focus on your authenticity alone, and your own development as a writer. Far easier said than done, of course. Riddle me this: how would you feel if you betrayed yourself in the cause of attracting followers, or even buyers? Not great, I'd say. To write is to bare your own heart, and by opening the door to that great vulnerability, the only possible path forward is by staying true to what your heart tells you. It will be those times when you try and divert your heart to write in a different way when you'll struggle with creativity, purpose, and output.
Wow, that is true and meaningful to read! You’re very right in saying that if I started to write things that were ‘just for likes or followers’ then I would feel like I was doing a disservice to my creativity.
Your words are so beautiful, I honestly fell in love with them when you took part in the 12 days of poetry. The followers will come, because your words deserve to be seen 🤍 Keep going lovely!
Oh Jenna, I just read through this which such alignment - I understand your frustration and as someone who did reach 200k on Instagram for example, the comparison game never stops so I wish for you to feel proud of yourself to recognise this pattern early on and to see how you can find ways to build freedom and independence for your art by growing your own readership “off mainstream social media”.
At this point social media serves mostly as social proof that people have read and like your work, whereas the deeper connections are easier nurtured elsewhere (especially in a newsletter).
I’ve hardly posted to social media for 3 years, and I’ve still had a viable art business thanks to my email list - it’s an invaluable asset that you’re working on and your hard efforts won’t be wrongfully erased like happened on Instagram 🫶🏼❤️
Thank you so much Elin! Your words are truly a breath of fresh air and I am so grateful to connect in this wonderful space. That’s really interesting and also comforting to know that the comparison never stops, I guess until we stop it ourselves. Thank you for your perspective and encouragement ✨🤍
Thank you for your words. Sincere & authentic, and deserving of my time and appreciation. This last week I have not been able to write. Not on here, or any other platform. I just could not, for what I have been experiencing and integrating within, demanded silence. It was not time to share, but to gather. And of course, as you mention in your beautiful post, what happens to growing our online presence? How can we be seen when life demands us we must stay sheltered, if only for a moment? This morning I sat down with the intention to write my usual Sunday post, in the hope to slowly build my presence here on Substack. I really, really could not. And I made it OK. I had to, for in the end writing is a bit like dancing! We dance with what wishes to be expressed through us, and it's like a crescendo...it can not happen one minute before or after, we must glide with it. I wish you well and thanks so much again for your lovely words. Much love from London x
Thank you Antonia, I’m so grateful for your kindness and for taking the time to read my words and share your experience. I think you’re so right... That sometimes all our creativity demands is silence and stillness, and we must comply with that. It’s a delicate balance, but the words will always return.
I love how you see writing like dancing, how truly beautifully. Our mind and body must be fluid in order for our creativity to be nourished.
"Comparison is the thief of joy." (Theodore Roosevelt)
The speed at which you gain following anywhere is not going to be the same as others and you need to learn to accept that. It is a fact. When you compare yourself to the people who you think have gained so much in so little time, have you thought about the multitude of those who did not? No. Because as humans, we get biased towards the most salient information but not thinking through things statistically (i know you said you do not like maths).
In my professional circles, I gained following not because I sought for it. It was because it gained traction for the content that resonated with people. It also has a lot to do with timing along with many other variables.
I am not an expert in fame but I do know probabilities. If I were to make an intelligent guess, perhaps the poets you are comparing yourself to have some specific qualities that make their content in perfect timing in the current climate. Social justice movements have a lot of impact on who gains traction on social media, remember that.
Lastly, I would re-emphasize not comparing yourself to others. Do your art the way you want it done for yourself and expression of it and not because of the approval of other people.
An extra added side note on this, for those that may be feeling a similar way.
The wonderful Sara Tasker wrote a comment on my note last night that has really helped me to see the light again. She offered some prompts to ask yourself if you have been feeling this way, because we all know that balance is hard!
Thank you for these reminders! 🤍 I’ve struggled with comparison for years, but am slowly beginning break out of its clutches.
I guess the main point I was trying to make was that I didn’t want others to feel alone in not feeling seen on those days where perhaps they aren’t in the greatest of spaces mentally, but to keep going and keep believing in what they are sharing with the world.
I loved reading this and I could see myself in every sentence as well. There is so much trust in self involved on this journey and this trust is so tested when the outcome isn't immediately there. I've been reframing my mind on creativity and social media and it became painfully clear how much I kept myself stagnant by trying to grow my art account in a way that I thought would help me to be seen more, make more sales, only to lose sight of myself and my why, creating the perfect space for a burnout to sneak in. 😅 It's a delicate dance, but I'm doing my best now to let the tunes of curiosity and exploration guide me. ✨💃
I will say that I have no clear idea what I think of IG at the moment. I've been very on and off on it in 2023 as I had to nurture the burnout and the app was a big reason that triggered my nervous system. Now I've been back on it more since December and if I let it, it's very demotivating as the reach is so low. I certainly don't have the energy to create e.g. reels every day nor do I want that. It's odd though as I've been getting followers on Threads without trying yet on IG, it feels like I have to drag the account through mud or something, haha.
But I'll give myself some time to experiment with some content on my terms and then decide if I still keep it in my creative world. I lose traction and motivation when I tried to conform too much, so now I will give it a go by amplifying what I'm known for and what I enjoy doing, which is creating art and sharing stories. I've no idea how it will go, but I'll continue to listen to my intuition as I test things out. It's also why I decided to start my Substack as I want to have a place for my longer musings, plus it's easier to reshare snippets on IG this way. To be consistent with my creativity is my priority, everything else will hopefully follow suit. 🤞
Another quote that comes to mind is, "You'll wonder how you'll do it until you wonder how you did." - I'm typing this from the top of my head and I can't recall who it's from precisely, but it comes so close to the quote you shared!
I really should stop typing now! It's very dangerous for me to comment via laptop, haha. Thanks so much for writing this, lovely! I have my own little musing on this topic very soon. ❤
You are so right with the amount of trust in ourselves that is needed when we share our art/words with the world, and the frustrations that arise if things don't happen as we imagine them.
Yes, always let curiosity win! It's so important to stay true to ourselves. I feel this too when I post on other platforms and try to curate certain posts in order to be seen more or get better engagement. There's a fine line between marketing and authenticity.
I agree, Instagram can be a place of beauty, but even more so a place of burnout. I post there 3 times a week, but even that feels like a lot for me personally in terms of creating the content. I'm still not on Threads yet, but that's purely because it panics me about having yet another platform to be posting on, when I'd rather be giving more of my energy here. But that's amazing that it's bringing you followers!
Both creating and sharing stories are wonderful, share what resonates with you and sets your heart on fire, the right people will come in time ✨
Aww I love that quote, how relevant it feels right now! Thank you for sharing that and taking the time to connect. I also can't wait to read your version of this topic and your side of the story 🤍
I don’t have any tips but I wanted to say I relate with this so much - the pull of wanting to be known and remaining authentic. I also often worry about my audience and the various places they come from and who will think what about the things I say. It’s a constant struggle that I’m fighting through. I’m also doing instagram poetry btw. But I know there are more words in me, so I finally decided to add Substack to my collection of places I’m afraid . Haha. Hopefully I’ll be better at allowing me to be me here. 😊
It really is such a strange and often difficult battle. But I also feel that different platforms demand different things. I’m trying to stay myself on them, without letting too many trends take over me. Substack is such so beautiful and encouraging, you’re definitely in the right place!
What’s your Instagram? I’d love to follow you 🥰
Lovely read! I struggle to find a balance between wanting my art to provide some financial returns while, at the same time, not completely zapping it of its authenticity and fun. You mention that you're very conscious of this push and pull. I'm curious, when you find yourself in times where the balance between writing-as-money-maker and writing-as-fun is out of whack, do you have specific exercises to help you re-achieve balance?
Thank you Will! Yes, it’s definitely a difficult balancing act. Hmm, I can’t say I have any specific exercises, however, I do love the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. In it she says not to put too much pressure on wanting your creativity to provide for you financially, as you might scare it away. On the flip side, I follow @inspiredtowrite on Instagram and on days where I need a boost I’ll look at her posts. She often states how we deserve to be paid for our art (words), so this reminds me that it is possible.
Thank you so much! Buying Big Magic and following @inspiredtowrite now!
Amazing! Hope you enjoy them.
I feel I have been in a similar place to you. In 2019/2020 I spent a lot of time and energy building a following to 1k on Instagram. I really wanted to start a creative business. But I just became burnt out. Especially as there was so much other stuff going on in my life at that time too. I also found myself moving away from what was authentic to me in the process. I had to take a step back. Then in recent years, I’ve just not had the energy to put in what is needed on social media. So instead I’ve been focusing on figuring out what direction I want my creativity to go in. Exploring what a creative life looks like for me.
You certainly have a clearer direction and dreams to me, so I can understand you wanting to put your work out there. We all like to be seen, and it does feel hard when comparison creeps in. I don’t know the best way to put your work out there. But I do think it’s important to remain true to you and find your own path. I believe you will get there. It just might not always be along the path you expect. Keep writing. Your poetry is beautiful to read.✨
It can be so disheartening having the desire and dreams to create, but feeling as though the pressure of social media takes that away. You’re right, it takes so much energy creating these days to even have a handful of people view it.
I think even having the desire to live a creative life like you clearly have, is the most important thing. Keep exploring and keep curious about that 🤍 What you share is so beautiful and having that balance is really important!
Thank you for your kind words and for always being so supportive. It truly means the world 🤍 I’ve had a dream to create things since I was child, but it was only until I found poetry a few years that I knew I’d stumbled onto the right path for me.
Oh I hear you! I posted about the same kind of feeling just yesterday. The main difference being, I have practically no followers at all 😄. It's all relative, though; we can all fall into the trap of comparatives, and there is always someone who posts about their success, just at the point it's truly not healthy and helpful for you to read it.
I believe you already know the answer, which is to focus on your authenticity alone, and your own development as a writer. Far easier said than done, of course. Riddle me this: how would you feel if you betrayed yourself in the cause of attracting followers, or even buyers? Not great, I'd say. To write is to bare your own heart, and by opening the door to that great vulnerability, the only possible path forward is by staying true to what your heart tells you. It will be those times when you try and divert your heart to write in a different way when you'll struggle with creativity, purpose, and output.
You know what to do 💗
Wow, that is true and meaningful to read! You’re very right in saying that if I started to write things that were ‘just for likes or followers’ then I would feel like I was doing a disservice to my creativity.
Your words are so beautiful, I honestly fell in love with them when you took part in the 12 days of poetry. The followers will come, because your words deserve to be seen 🤍 Keep going lovely!
Oh Jenna, I just read through this which such alignment - I understand your frustration and as someone who did reach 200k on Instagram for example, the comparison game never stops so I wish for you to feel proud of yourself to recognise this pattern early on and to see how you can find ways to build freedom and independence for your art by growing your own readership “off mainstream social media”.
At this point social media serves mostly as social proof that people have read and like your work, whereas the deeper connections are easier nurtured elsewhere (especially in a newsletter).
I’ve hardly posted to social media for 3 years, and I’ve still had a viable art business thanks to my email list - it’s an invaluable asset that you’re working on and your hard efforts won’t be wrongfully erased like happened on Instagram 🫶🏼❤️
Thank you so much Elin! Your words are truly a breath of fresh air and I am so grateful to connect in this wonderful space. That’s really interesting and also comforting to know that the comparison never stops, I guess until we stop it ourselves. Thank you for your perspective and encouragement ✨🤍
That’s it! “Until we stop it ourselves” 💯🙌✨
Thank you for your words. Sincere & authentic, and deserving of my time and appreciation. This last week I have not been able to write. Not on here, or any other platform. I just could not, for what I have been experiencing and integrating within, demanded silence. It was not time to share, but to gather. And of course, as you mention in your beautiful post, what happens to growing our online presence? How can we be seen when life demands us we must stay sheltered, if only for a moment? This morning I sat down with the intention to write my usual Sunday post, in the hope to slowly build my presence here on Substack. I really, really could not. And I made it OK. I had to, for in the end writing is a bit like dancing! We dance with what wishes to be expressed through us, and it's like a crescendo...it can not happen one minute before or after, we must glide with it. I wish you well and thanks so much again for your lovely words. Much love from London x
Thank you Antonia, I’m so grateful for your kindness and for taking the time to read my words and share your experience. I think you’re so right... That sometimes all our creativity demands is silence and stillness, and we must comply with that. It’s a delicate balance, but the words will always return.
I love how you see writing like dancing, how truly beautifully. Our mind and body must be fluid in order for our creativity to be nourished.
Sending you love, you’ve got this! x
You already have the answer on your post.
"Comparison is the thief of joy." (Theodore Roosevelt)
The speed at which you gain following anywhere is not going to be the same as others and you need to learn to accept that. It is a fact. When you compare yourself to the people who you think have gained so much in so little time, have you thought about the multitude of those who did not? No. Because as humans, we get biased towards the most salient information but not thinking through things statistically (i know you said you do not like maths).
In my professional circles, I gained following not because I sought for it. It was because it gained traction for the content that resonated with people. It also has a lot to do with timing along with many other variables.
I am not an expert in fame but I do know probabilities. If I were to make an intelligent guess, perhaps the poets you are comparing yourself to have some specific qualities that make their content in perfect timing in the current climate. Social justice movements have a lot of impact on who gains traction on social media, remember that.
Lastly, I would re-emphasize not comparing yourself to others. Do your art the way you want it done for yourself and expression of it and not because of the approval of other people.
An extra added side note on this, for those that may be feeling a similar way.
The wonderful Sara Tasker wrote a comment on my note last night that has really helped me to see the light again. She offered some prompts to ask yourself if you have been feeling this way, because we all know that balance is hard!
Check it out here👇🏼
https://substack.com/profile/14789760-sara-tasker-me-and-orla/note/c-48255156?r=1c50i0&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you for these reminders! 🤍 I’ve struggled with comparison for years, but am slowly beginning break out of its clutches.
I guess the main point I was trying to make was that I didn’t want others to feel alone in not feeling seen on those days where perhaps they aren’t in the greatest of spaces mentally, but to keep going and keep believing in what they are sharing with the world.
I loved reading this and I could see myself in every sentence as well. There is so much trust in self involved on this journey and this trust is so tested when the outcome isn't immediately there. I've been reframing my mind on creativity and social media and it became painfully clear how much I kept myself stagnant by trying to grow my art account in a way that I thought would help me to be seen more, make more sales, only to lose sight of myself and my why, creating the perfect space for a burnout to sneak in. 😅 It's a delicate dance, but I'm doing my best now to let the tunes of curiosity and exploration guide me. ✨💃
I will say that I have no clear idea what I think of IG at the moment. I've been very on and off on it in 2023 as I had to nurture the burnout and the app was a big reason that triggered my nervous system. Now I've been back on it more since December and if I let it, it's very demotivating as the reach is so low. I certainly don't have the energy to create e.g. reels every day nor do I want that. It's odd though as I've been getting followers on Threads without trying yet on IG, it feels like I have to drag the account through mud or something, haha.
But I'll give myself some time to experiment with some content on my terms and then decide if I still keep it in my creative world. I lose traction and motivation when I tried to conform too much, so now I will give it a go by amplifying what I'm known for and what I enjoy doing, which is creating art and sharing stories. I've no idea how it will go, but I'll continue to listen to my intuition as I test things out. It's also why I decided to start my Substack as I want to have a place for my longer musings, plus it's easier to reshare snippets on IG this way. To be consistent with my creativity is my priority, everything else will hopefully follow suit. 🤞
Another quote that comes to mind is, "You'll wonder how you'll do it until you wonder how you did." - I'm typing this from the top of my head and I can't recall who it's from precisely, but it comes so close to the quote you shared!
I really should stop typing now! It's very dangerous for me to comment via laptop, haha. Thanks so much for writing this, lovely! I have my own little musing on this topic very soon. ❤
You are so right with the amount of trust in ourselves that is needed when we share our art/words with the world, and the frustrations that arise if things don't happen as we imagine them.
Yes, always let curiosity win! It's so important to stay true to ourselves. I feel this too when I post on other platforms and try to curate certain posts in order to be seen more or get better engagement. There's a fine line between marketing and authenticity.
I agree, Instagram can be a place of beauty, but even more so a place of burnout. I post there 3 times a week, but even that feels like a lot for me personally in terms of creating the content. I'm still not on Threads yet, but that's purely because it panics me about having yet another platform to be posting on, when I'd rather be giving more of my energy here. But that's amazing that it's bringing you followers!
Both creating and sharing stories are wonderful, share what resonates with you and sets your heart on fire, the right people will come in time ✨
Aww I love that quote, how relevant it feels right now! Thank you for sharing that and taking the time to connect. I also can't wait to read your version of this topic and your side of the story 🤍