Found myself nodding along vigorously to all of this Louise! I haven’t posted on Instagram for months now and when I do venture there, I quickly grow tired of the ads and the shiny highlights only. Very much agree that Substack feels so different in terms of genuine connection and community and I love notes for finding things I might not otherwise read
Gosh, so much of this speaks to being conscious to where we put our energy + attention. I loved Claire Venus’ podcast with Suzy Walker on how she segments her time …creating, engaging, consuming…big believer in creating first. Always 🫶🏼
I agree completely. I don't use any other platform now, although I occasionally look at them, I never post. The rabbit hole concept is perfect for Substack - there is nowhere else that give you the range or the access to writers and their work.
Yes Louise! Love this and 100% agree with everything you have said! 👍 I have been so much happier and way more productive and inspired since only using Substack.. I don't regret leaving all other social media behind.. not one bit! ✨💛
I totally get that.. it is a shame that most businesses require you to be on social media in some way 🙄 but I guess that’s just the way things are and so long as we’re not getting pulled into hours of doom scrolling, it can be a very useful tool 👍 I’m in two minds whether or not to keep my ‘great little insights’ Instagram page going 🤔 I don’t want to feel totally disconnected from all the great people there.. it’s a hard choice to make..
I am not sure being on IG for business is serving me. I feel that people are simply scrolling and not even reading my words. I might go back to old-school techniques of reaching out personally to spread the word. I do think people are craving a different space, and I think Substack fits the bill.
With you for a summer of Substack! I do enjoy instagram, but find it too easy to fall into the pit of mindless scrolling. It is not the friend of productivity, neither a balanced nervous system. Something about it has become so much louder over the last few years. Substack, though not perfect, does seem quieter and gentler. I hope it stays this way 💫
I think that if people come to this space with the intention of kindness and openness it might stay a safe space for creatives and people to connect. 🤞
I have strangely just written something very similar! After a year hiatus I rekindled my love for Substack after taking a career break this summer. It’s really made me think about my relationship with Instagram - in fact I’ve just fully deleted the app. What you get on here is community, vulnerability and discourse. It feels so authentic and when you find yourself doom scrolling on instagram you realise that!
This was the kick in the pants I needed. I'm officially setting some boundaries for myself too! I'm going to schedule specific times for social media "fun" and try to protect my mornings for creative work. Thanks for sharing your experience – it's so helpful to know I'm not the only one struggling with this.
Although, thinking about it. I think Substack could be regarded as part of my creative work as I never fail to find something inspiring or spark a new connection or idea.
Thank you for another reminder of why I love it here. I still have IG for keeping in touch with family and friends. I am attempting to reach more people for my business, but I rather not engage there. I am done with scrolling and feeling less about my life. I love it here. People read, share and care about what matters in our lives. The community aspect is supportive and encouraging.
This is my first week immersing in Substack, Louise, and I'm delighted we crossed paths. Sitting here thinking about my social media experience, I agree. Too often it's unmindful scroll.
If it weren't for family caregiving, I'd jump on the airplane mode at night. Here and now, I'm going back to the write-before-scroll practice. I do love that time between wake and sleep when all things are possible.
I don’t know if it would make the blindest difference to my business if I came off insta altogether. It’s not how people find me really. But I’ve never yet got in to the habit of posting on Substack - may have to make that my summer intention!
I’ve let go of 99% of my insta scrolling and check out Substack a couple of times a day. I love that it leads me to writers and thoughts I wouldn’t automatically check out. Still check out Facebook for crochet groups
I am definitely on Substack more than any other platform. I haven’t posted anything to my grid on Instagram since December… I’m just not interested 🤷🏻♀️ I like the interactions with everyone here on Substack, it’s just a nice place to be!
Found myself nodding along vigorously to all of this Louise! I haven’t posted on Instagram for months now and when I do venture there, I quickly grow tired of the ads and the shiny highlights only. Very much agree that Substack feels so different in terms of genuine connection and community and I love notes for finding things I might not otherwise read
I quickly bob in and out of Instagram but it feels more like a chore. Being here feels like fun.
Completely agree with you! It feels freeing to admit that I don't like IG.
Gosh, so much of this speaks to being conscious to where we put our energy + attention. I loved Claire Venus’ podcast with Suzy Walker on how she segments her time …creating, engaging, consuming…big believer in creating first. Always 🫶🏼
Thank you for the reminder to create first. I try to do that first thing in the morning. It sets me up for the day.
Absolutely, it really helps to put the activities into different compartments doesn’t it.
I agree completely. I don't use any other platform now, although I occasionally look at them, I never post. The rabbit hole concept is perfect for Substack - there is nowhere else that give you the range or the access to writers and their work.
I love how you can go off at a complete tangent. You never know what you are going to come across or what amazing writers you will encounter
And the links in other people’s posts!
Yes Louise! Love this and 100% agree with everything you have said! 👍 I have been so much happier and way more productive and inspired since only using Substack.. I don't regret leaving all other social media behind.. not one bit! ✨💛
If I didn't use Instagram for my business I don't think I'd be in there at all at the minute.
I totally get that.. it is a shame that most businesses require you to be on social media in some way 🙄 but I guess that’s just the way things are and so long as we’re not getting pulled into hours of doom scrolling, it can be a very useful tool 👍 I’m in two minds whether or not to keep my ‘great little insights’ Instagram page going 🤔 I don’t want to feel totally disconnected from all the great people there.. it’s a hard choice to make..
Absolutely. And the way that FB/IG are tied together is just infuriating
I am not sure being on IG for business is serving me. I feel that people are simply scrolling and not even reading my words. I might go back to old-school techniques of reaching out personally to spread the word. I do think people are craving a different space, and I think Substack fits the bill.
I know what you mean. I have a few folks on there that I connect and chat to but business wise it's pretty dead.
It feels freeing to let them go!
With you for a summer of Substack! I do enjoy instagram, but find it too easy to fall into the pit of mindless scrolling. It is not the friend of productivity, neither a balanced nervous system. Something about it has become so much louder over the last few years. Substack, though not perfect, does seem quieter and gentler. I hope it stays this way 💫
I think that if people come to this space with the intention of kindness and openness it might stay a safe space for creatives and people to connect. 🤞
Absolutely. It certainly feels that way at the moment
Oh absolutely. I'm definitely here for the gentle, more thoughtful pace here 🧡
I have strangely just written something very similar! After a year hiatus I rekindled my love for Substack after taking a career break this summer. It’s really made me think about my relationship with Instagram - in fact I’ve just fully deleted the app. What you get on here is community, vulnerability and discourse. It feels so authentic and when you find yourself doom scrolling on instagram you realise that!
Totally agree. The contrast between the two is really striking isn't it.
This was the kick in the pants I needed. I'm officially setting some boundaries for myself too! I'm going to schedule specific times for social media "fun" and try to protect my mornings for creative work. Thanks for sharing your experience – it's so helpful to know I'm not the only one struggling with this.
Although, thinking about it. I think Substack could be regarded as part of my creative work as I never fail to find something inspiring or spark a new connection or idea.
Creative mornings are the way forward, well, after my Substack fix of course 🤣
Definitely guilty of the social media rabbit hole 🕳️
It has very steep sides doesn't it 🤣
🤣🤣🤣 yes!!
Thank you for another reminder of why I love it here. I still have IG for keeping in touch with family and friends. I am attempting to reach more people for my business, but I rather not engage there. I am done with scrolling and feeling less about my life. I love it here. People read, share and care about what matters in our lives. The community aspect is supportive and encouraging.
This is my first week immersing in Substack, Louise, and I'm delighted we crossed paths. Sitting here thinking about my social media experience, I agree. Too often it's unmindful scroll.
If it weren't for family caregiving, I'd jump on the airplane mode at night. Here and now, I'm going back to the write-before-scroll practice. I do love that time between wake and sleep when all things are possible.
I know what you mean, I'd dearly love to turn my phone off as well. I often delete my social media apps over the weekend though, which does help.
What a great idea to delete social media apps over the weekend!
It definitely helps to remove temptation and encourages me to do other things rather than scrolling
Great post!! I too like that the ‘pace’ is a bit slower here.
Definitely, it feels as though there’s no pressure to keep up at all. I just dip in and out as my energy flows.
I don’t know if it would make the blindest difference to my business if I came off insta altogether. It’s not how people find me really. But I’ve never yet got in to the habit of posting on Substack - may have to make that my summer intention!
If you need a Substack accountability buddy, please just shout 🧡
Yes, a much more engaged community here. I am feeling you on the desire to disengage from social media. Thank you for this lovely share!
I’ve let go of 99% of my insta scrolling and check out Substack a couple of times a day. I love that it leads me to writers and thoughts I wouldn’t automatically check out. Still check out Facebook for crochet groups
Ah yes, we definitely need more fibre content here 🤣
I am definitely on Substack more than any other platform. I haven’t posted anything to my grid on Instagram since December… I’m just not interested 🤷🏻♀️ I like the interactions with everyone here on Substack, it’s just a nice place to be!
I quickly pop into Instagram but it doesn't hold my attention any more. It just feels too superficial.
Louise it's the same thing for me. I quit LinkedIn and Medium to do Substack full-time. I'm happy I made that decision! :)
I love Substack supports us too and makes it easier to reach others.