Maybe only three people read last week's newsletter. But one of those loved it, and it made another cry. They were too shy or sleepy to press the like button, or they didn’t realise you were at the point of giving up and how much that acknowledgement may matter - so you never found out. ,
Sending love Kate, thanks for sharing your story. I skip many weeks, as I only post fortnightly, and I also take breaks. Mostly people don't seem to notice, and I definitely don't need the people I subscribe to to post every week, because it's impossible to keep up with it all 🙃
Thanks vicki! we have to honour our humanness. Life just happens doesn’t it! I actually say every 3-4 weeks here which I had forgotten and is more manageable when these things happen. ✨
Hi Kate. So sorry about your mammogram experience. I've had four now, and you're right, they are so uncomfortable and strange, and they make me feel so vulnerable. Hoping you're doing better now. I regularly skip weeks on Substack - in my sign-up I say "I tend to write 3 weeks out of 4". This gives me the freedom to take a break when I need to without overthinking it. Sometimes, if I need it, I'll take two weeks in a row. FYI no I didn't notice that you didn't write 😊
Haha I'm glad you didn't notice Hannah! I think I also state that my posts will be every 3-4 weeks, it does give some breathing room which anyone alive needs sometimes! But I had actually forgotten that I wrote that, so thanks for reminding me! 😅
I love that phrase 'I tend to write 3 weeks out of 4'. Think I might adopt it! I do usually write weekly, and have skipped a week occasionally. I doubt anyone notices (but I could be wrong!) Thanks for the inspiration
Kate, I'm sorry to hear you fainted during your mammogram. Interestingly, just this week I read, in Martha Beck's new book Beyond Anxiety, her issue with that very problem. She would faint with every mammogram. It's such an unusual thing that I thought it serendipitous to read that it happened to you.
Sadly, I didn't realize you missed a post last week because life has been so full I have rarely had a chance to do any reading or connecting here on Substack for the last few weeks. I'm just jumping in where I can. I remember a couple years ago a famous writer here saying we need to use Substack as a magazine and flip the pages and dive into what interests us and that has always stuck with me (and assuages my guilt when I don't get to it).
Hi Donna, thanks for sharing that about Martha Beck, it's good to hear I'm not alone in it!
I have a few paid subscriptions and I rarely read all their posts. Just due to time and changing priorities from one week to the next! Yes to the magazine! Let's just dip in when we fancy is the best policy! ✨
I'm sorry to hear about your mammogram experience, Kate. Good for you for taking care of yourself! Living in an earthquake-prone zone, I always remind the radiology tech that should we have an earthquake when my body part is in the vice, to release me before she runs out the door!
I post bi-weekly and haven't missed a post. However, for the first time this week, I'm allowing myself a much shorter-than-usual post because I've been away.
Thank you for those reminders about what's really important. As always, your advice is spot on!
That's a good way to do it, with shorter posts. I think sometimes they are nice to read and have no less value! Gosh earthquakes in the mix too, I couldn't cope!! 😅
Thanks, Kate for the pep talk. I dedided this summer to "take a vacation" from instagram and then added in my Substack metrics, too. I just bookmarked the various Dashboard pages so I don't come upon subscriber counts and such. It's been helpful, as I was getting a lot of churn and it was distracting me. I've skipped a post here and there but also try to build in breaks with reposted old pieces, guest authors, and I am going to be cross-posting others' essays (with their permission, of course) when I am on an upcoming vacation (a real one), by building in those pauses ahead or having some in my back pocket, it gives me a little breathing space when things come up.
The cross posting is a great idea too. I am grateful to have an archive now so I can reshare things if I need a breather! I think it's good to take breaks when we need them too, thanks Kathryn!
I've skipped a few in the past few months due to travel and too much busyness to allow my brain to relax enough to write creatively. I've had to face my perfectionistic standards of a weekly post, to consider that putting something quality into the world is more important than any "deadline" I've given myself for content. I am learning to be soft with myself, and finding it hard. Thank you for the reminder that reaching even one person is better than my stats or comment section. It reminds me to trust myself, my wisdom, to reach for the things that speak to me deeply.
Thank you for the pep talk. I try to post weekly, it's a promise I have made to my subscribers. So far I've kept it. I've made it to 100 subscribers this week which I am over the moon about (I've been on here for 14 months, so it's a big number for me). My message of self care through nature is an important one, I am grateful I can share it on this platform.
You publication sounds beautiful Daisy, I'm a big fan of nature and it's an integral part of my day. Well done for staying consistent for so long! I'm usually quite good but just had to let this one slide!
I say these kinds of words of reassurance to myself all the time - and sometimes it’s even more reassuring to hear them from someone else. Thank you 🧡
I also remind myself that I am writing specifically to the shy ones, so replying and commenting are often very “stretchy” things for my readers! And I get that, of course I do.
I skip an edition occasionally - I doubt anyone notices. Here’s to putting tea, toast and furry friends first sometimes. ☺️
Thanks Susannah - I've always been a shy person too, so absolutely appreciate this, I still sometimes feel that vulnerability of commenting and yes it can feel stretchy! Love the sound of your work, shy people do need more support to be in contact! ✨
Have you ever skipped a week on Substack, unplanned?
Sending love Kate, thanks for sharing your story. I skip many weeks, as I only post fortnightly, and I also take breaks. Mostly people don't seem to notice, and I definitely don't need the people I subscribe to to post every week, because it's impossible to keep up with it all 🙃
Thanks vicki! we have to honour our humanness. Life just happens doesn’t it! I actually say every 3-4 weeks here which I had forgotten and is more manageable when these things happen. ✨
Hi Kate. So sorry about your mammogram experience. I've had four now, and you're right, they are so uncomfortable and strange, and they make me feel so vulnerable. Hoping you're doing better now. I regularly skip weeks on Substack - in my sign-up I say "I tend to write 3 weeks out of 4". This gives me the freedom to take a break when I need to without overthinking it. Sometimes, if I need it, I'll take two weeks in a row. FYI no I didn't notice that you didn't write 😊
Haha I'm glad you didn't notice Hannah! I think I also state that my posts will be every 3-4 weeks, it does give some breathing room which anyone alive needs sometimes! But I had actually forgotten that I wrote that, so thanks for reminding me! 😅
I love that phrase 'I tend to write 3 weeks out of 4'. Think I might adopt it! I do usually write weekly, and have skipped a week occasionally. I doubt anyone notices (but I could be wrong!) Thanks for the inspiration
Yes Jane I think I said ‘expect posts every 3-4 weeks’, which allows for days like these. We are human after all! And I don’t think anyone noticed!!
Kate, I'm sorry to hear you fainted during your mammogram. Interestingly, just this week I read, in Martha Beck's new book Beyond Anxiety, her issue with that very problem. She would faint with every mammogram. It's such an unusual thing that I thought it serendipitous to read that it happened to you.
Sadly, I didn't realize you missed a post last week because life has been so full I have rarely had a chance to do any reading or connecting here on Substack for the last few weeks. I'm just jumping in where I can. I remember a couple years ago a famous writer here saying we need to use Substack as a magazine and flip the pages and dive into what interests us and that has always stuck with me (and assuages my guilt when I don't get to it).
Hi Donna, thanks for sharing that about Martha Beck, it's good to hear I'm not alone in it!
I have a few paid subscriptions and I rarely read all their posts. Just due to time and changing priorities from one week to the next! Yes to the magazine! Let's just dip in when we fancy is the best policy! ✨
I'm sorry to hear about your mammogram experience, Kate. Good for you for taking care of yourself! Living in an earthquake-prone zone, I always remind the radiology tech that should we have an earthquake when my body part is in the vice, to release me before she runs out the door!
I post bi-weekly and haven't missed a post. However, for the first time this week, I'm allowing myself a much shorter-than-usual post because I've been away.
Thank you for those reminders about what's really important. As always, your advice is spot on!
That's a good way to do it, with shorter posts. I think sometimes they are nice to read and have no less value! Gosh earthquakes in the mix too, I couldn't cope!! 😅
Thanks, Kate for the pep talk. I dedided this summer to "take a vacation" from instagram and then added in my Substack metrics, too. I just bookmarked the various Dashboard pages so I don't come upon subscriber counts and such. It's been helpful, as I was getting a lot of churn and it was distracting me. I've skipped a post here and there but also try to build in breaks with reposted old pieces, guest authors, and I am going to be cross-posting others' essays (with their permission, of course) when I am on an upcoming vacation (a real one), by building in those pauses ahead or having some in my back pocket, it gives me a little breathing space when things come up.
The cross posting is a great idea too. I am grateful to have an archive now so I can reshare things if I need a breather! I think it's good to take breaks when we need them too, thanks Kathryn!
I've skipped a few in the past few months due to travel and too much busyness to allow my brain to relax enough to write creatively. I've had to face my perfectionistic standards of a weekly post, to consider that putting something quality into the world is more important than any "deadline" I've given myself for content. I am learning to be soft with myself, and finding it hard. Thank you for the reminder that reaching even one person is better than my stats or comment section. It reminds me to trust myself, my wisdom, to reach for the things that speak to me deeply.
It’s tricky sometimes but we have to stay true to ourselves first, and be kind to ourselves too! And realistic! Thanks Holly!
Thank you for the pep talk. I try to post weekly, it's a promise I have made to my subscribers. So far I've kept it. I've made it to 100 subscribers this week which I am over the moon about (I've been on here for 14 months, so it's a big number for me). My message of self care through nature is an important one, I am grateful I can share it on this platform.
You publication sounds beautiful Daisy, I'm a big fan of nature and it's an integral part of my day. Well done for staying consistent for so long! I'm usually quite good but just had to let this one slide!
I say these kinds of words of reassurance to myself all the time - and sometimes it’s even more reassuring to hear them from someone else. Thank you 🧡
I also remind myself that I am writing specifically to the shy ones, so replying and commenting are often very “stretchy” things for my readers! And I get that, of course I do.
I skip an edition occasionally - I doubt anyone notices. Here’s to putting tea, toast and furry friends first sometimes. ☺️
Thanks Susannah - I've always been a shy person too, so absolutely appreciate this, I still sometimes feel that vulnerability of commenting and yes it can feel stretchy! Love the sound of your work, shy people do need more support to be in contact! ✨