I could not relate more to a post! The idea of going hard for an online business with all the ads and social posts needed it’s a machine that cannot be quenched and I do not have the energy for that! Excited to see what you do on this space next year!
Sooo thrilled to hear you've realigned your next year to what feels best to you, now. I so relate to much of what you've shared. I had a big shake-up last year, merging two substacks into one and adjusting how I work with students and clients. It's a constant dance. I'm honored that my chat with Claire inspired you to take the plunge. SO much luck with the next steps!
Aw thanks! Now I’m clearer in my mind about what I really feel called to work on I’m excited to try and do more and procrastinate less 😄Also need to properly build in time to read all the wonderful Substacks I’m subscribed to!
Funnily enough I'm thinking of merging my two main Substacks into one, did you decide to do this because of the change in visibility on your profile page?
Nope - it was more that the fiddly nature of having to switch back and forth was making me not want to write either. Having one main hub re-energized my relationship to my publication and I fell in love all over again.
Thanks Wendy - yes, I hope so. I'm relieved & excited at the thought of swapping out the time I've been spending fretting about all the online business stuff and getting back to reading more of the wonderful Substack I've fallen behind on (yours included of course 😊)
I can so relate to the struggles of building an online business, I really appreciate your honesty ❤️. Following what lights you up can only ever be a good thing I think! Fellow Academy member and Leonie fan here too, I love everything she does! X
Thanks for saying that - I felt slightly foolish admitting I've been going up a garden path for so long. But better to admit it to myself than just keep ploughing on regardless eh. And good to know you're in Leonie's gang too 🤩
Just from the tone of this honest piece, I can tell you’ve made the right decision in hopping into the diamond membership and out of the business subscription. I abandoned a wonderful writing project a couple of years back and there’s not a day goes by when I don’t regret that, but it was the right decision.
Ah Andres sounds like that was a real wrench to drop the writing project. But yep, facing up to the reality that there simply aren't limitless hours to do all the things we might want to is an inescapable part of life for us all I guess. You've got another fab writing project on the go in the nuclear book though eh.
I know exactly what it’s like to be “trying on” a way to push into the next phase of your work. When you find that flow, it feels so good. Cheering you on! 🫶
I really enjoyed our 1-2-1, and may even make these a more regular feature, I just love them!
Good luck with your plans for 2025! I too am taking stock in December and may well be changing things up next year.
I hope you have a fab Christmas break, see you in the New Year... and thanks for all your lovely posts this year, I've really enjoyed being one of your readers. 😘
Aw I love being one of your readers too - shall await the results of your stocktaking and potential changes arising for next year with eager interest 😊 Meantime I'm looking forward to getting lots of reading done over the Christmas break, both on and off Substack. Onwards & upwards eh!
Thank you for writing this! I went freelance this year as a copywriter. First thing I did? Pay for a website subscription to make a portfolio. What have I still not done? Anything to do with the portfolio... Thankfully, I've had work come in via other ways but I also thought that paying for something would force me to do something. And it clearly didn't! So, you're not alone - but I don't think many people ever talk about abandoning projects when it doesn't feel right. (Although I really do have to do mine ... one day. 😂 )
That's so funny Amy! Definitely makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who's unsuccessfully tried to motivate myself by shelling out money for something 🤣 Fantastic news that you've taken the leap into freelancing. Good luck! And let me know when you've done that portfolio!! (happy to try to offer some free accountability on a public forum ha ha!)
You are definitely not the only one! Just one of the few who has been brave enough to admit it. 😂 And thank you so much! I do appreciate the accountability. 🤣 It's on my list! 😉
Sometimes we try to force ourselves into productivity, but that leads to burnout. I think your year of following what inspired or excited you was all great work in understanding where you want to devote your energy. Excited to see what you learn!
You are so right. I beat myself up constantly about not being productive enough - even though I *know* it's not actually a yardstick I fundamentally care about in life. Having this space to actually process these vague 'not quite right' feelings and turn them into coherent thoughts has been really good for me I think! And it's lovely to think some of it strikes a chord with other people too 😊
I could not relate more to a post! The idea of going hard for an online business with all the ads and social posts needed it’s a machine that cannot be quenched and I do not have the energy for that! Excited to see what you do on this space next year!
Thanks Shawna. So looking forward to coffee/beer chat to swap war stories 😍
Sooo thrilled to hear you've realigned your next year to what feels best to you, now. I so relate to much of what you've shared. I had a big shake-up last year, merging two substacks into one and adjusting how I work with students and clients. It's a constant dance. I'm honored that my chat with Claire inspired you to take the plunge. SO much luck with the next steps!
Aw thanks! Now I’m clearer in my mind about what I really feel called to work on I’m excited to try and do more and procrastinate less 😄Also need to properly build in time to read all the wonderful Substacks I’m subscribed to!
Such a delicious problem, right?
Definitely!
Funnily enough I'm thinking of merging my two main Substacks into one, did you decide to do this because of the change in visibility on your profile page?
Nope - it was more that the fiddly nature of having to switch back and forth was making me not want to write either. Having one main hub re-energized my relationship to my publication and I fell in love all over again.
Glad you’ve had an epiphany, Vicki. Sounds like the right decision!
Thanks Wendy - yes, I hope so. I'm relieved & excited at the thought of swapping out the time I've been spending fretting about all the online business stuff and getting back to reading more of the wonderful Substack I've fallen behind on (yours included of course 😊)
I can so relate to the struggles of building an online business, I really appreciate your honesty ❤️. Following what lights you up can only ever be a good thing I think! Fellow Academy member and Leonie fan here too, I love everything she does! X
Thanks for saying that - I felt slightly foolish admitting I've been going up a garden path for so long. But better to admit it to myself than just keep ploughing on regardless eh. And good to know you're in Leonie's gang too 🤩
Just from the tone of this honest piece, I can tell you’ve made the right decision in hopping into the diamond membership and out of the business subscription. I abandoned a wonderful writing project a couple of years back and there’s not a day goes by when I don’t regret that, but it was the right decision.
Ah Andres sounds like that was a real wrench to drop the writing project. But yep, facing up to the reality that there simply aren't limitless hours to do all the things we might want to is an inescapable part of life for us all I guess. You've got another fab writing project on the go in the nuclear book though eh.
I know exactly what it’s like to be “trying on” a way to push into the next phase of your work. When you find that flow, it feels so good. Cheering you on! 🫶
Thanks Amanda 🥰
Thanks so much for the shout out! 👏
I really enjoyed our 1-2-1, and may even make these a more regular feature, I just love them!
Good luck with your plans for 2025! I too am taking stock in December and may well be changing things up next year.
I hope you have a fab Christmas break, see you in the New Year... and thanks for all your lovely posts this year, I've really enjoyed being one of your readers. 😘
Aw I love being one of your readers too - shall await the results of your stocktaking and potential changes arising for next year with eager interest 😊 Meantime I'm looking forward to getting lots of reading done over the Christmas break, both on and off Substack. Onwards & upwards eh!
Thank you for writing this! I went freelance this year as a copywriter. First thing I did? Pay for a website subscription to make a portfolio. What have I still not done? Anything to do with the portfolio... Thankfully, I've had work come in via other ways but I also thought that paying for something would force me to do something. And it clearly didn't! So, you're not alone - but I don't think many people ever talk about abandoning projects when it doesn't feel right. (Although I really do have to do mine ... one day. 😂 )
That's so funny Amy! Definitely makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who's unsuccessfully tried to motivate myself by shelling out money for something 🤣 Fantastic news that you've taken the leap into freelancing. Good luck! And let me know when you've done that portfolio!! (happy to try to offer some free accountability on a public forum ha ha!)
You are definitely not the only one! Just one of the few who has been brave enough to admit it. 😂 And thank you so much! I do appreciate the accountability. 🤣 It's on my list! 😉
Sometimes we try to force ourselves into productivity, but that leads to burnout. I think your year of following what inspired or excited you was all great work in understanding where you want to devote your energy. Excited to see what you learn!
You are so right. I beat myself up constantly about not being productive enough - even though I *know* it's not actually a yardstick I fundamentally care about in life. Having this space to actually process these vague 'not quite right' feelings and turn them into coherent thoughts has been really good for me I think! And it's lovely to think some of it strikes a chord with other people too 😊