I’ve been writing in my little corner of the Substack library for over a year. With the recent Leo new moon, I set an intention to cultivate relationships. Part of this intention was to grow my community of inspiring and encouraging writers. For the last year, I’ve intentionally kept my writing to myself and the small group of people who’ve known me for years. Doing that has helped me explore my voice and creativity within a manageable level of the fear of judgment and critique.
I have a strong desire to create a living that is sustained by my writing and creativity. I’m incredibly stubborn in that I want to write what I want to write. I’m not particularly interested in getting a freelance job writing list articles for a publication or crafting someone else’s newsletter on a topic I’m not equally passionate about. I don’t want to be a writer of just anything. I want to be a writer of the things I know, love, and care about. I want to tell my stories and share what I’m learning in my voice.
My intention to expand my writer community and desire to live a creative lifestyle has led me to start engaging with other writers on Substack. It started with simple engagement through Notes. Then I started reading others’ posts and quickly felt big feels. The more I read other people’s works of art, the more I questioned my own. Do I really have what it takes to make a living as a writer? Do I have the skills and ideas? Will my skin ever be thick enough to handle the honest and sometimes ruthless opinions of others? These thoughts are why I kept to my little corner and haven’t ventured out until now.
As comfortable as it would be to stay right where I am with the loving subscribers who already know me well, I have to believe there’s more space and growth for me and my writing in this world. Surely, I can’t be the only one who’s just starting. If I retreat now, I may never know what a life centered around my creativity could be like. I already know what’s possible in the tiny space I’ve taken up over the last year. I also know what it feels like to carve out the first hour of my day for writing and then work a full-day job five days a week. It’s exhausting, and I’m ready for a change. I’m as prepared as I can be to see what could be possible for me and my writing if I let a wider audience consume and interact with it.
Maybe I’ll discover that I prefer my tiny corner of the Substack library, but what if I find that I love being surrounded by even more supportive and inspiring writers and creatives? What if immersing myself in the writing world turns me into a much better writer? Would I deny myself that opportunity out of fear of some stranger’s opinion? Would I deny myself that opportunity, knowing any valuable criticism could improve my storytelling skills? What if a sustainable life as a writer is my destiny?
Haters are going to hate, and lovers are going to love. I have to remember that it’s not really about either of them. My writing is the gift that I give to myself. It’s self-care that soothes my soul and introduces me to the depths of my being. It doesn’t matter if anyone agrees or disagrees with my writing because they can’t feel what I feel when I write it. Every cell in my body already knows that I’m a writer. I always have been and always will be.
I know it takes an incredible amount of courage to put my heart out into the world. I will do that for myself as long as I possibly can, and I will love and nurture myself when things get tough. To date, I’ve kept the Lightworker Diaries a free publication where anyone can comment. I would like to keep it this way, and I’m human. If I need to save commenting for paid subscribers or put specific posts behind a paywall for my nervous system’s sake, I will do that. Those are the promises I’m giving myself to continue leaning in and expressing my true self here.
Would you like to help me achieve my dream of making a living as a writer? Here’s a couple of ways you can help.
Invitation to explore:
Think about where you’ve been hiding in a corner of your own life. Where have you chosen the small, hidden, or comfortable out of fear? Grab a journal and explore how that has kept you safe. Who or what would you lose? What would you have to take on or take ownership of? Who would you have to become that feels scary to you now?
After getting everything you’re being protected from on the page, imagine yourself 40 years from now. Who will you become if you continue living this way? What are the consequences of staying on this path? Who and what will you miss out on by staying in your protection bubble?
Spend as much time as you can exploring these questions. You may find that the things you’re protecting yourself from are the realities you create by choosing to stay small. That realization will help your subconscious mind discover that these limitations no longer serve you and allow you to move through them with greater ease.
When you feel complete, choose one action you will take immediately to expand beyond your comfort zone. This action doesn’t have to be big. Pick something that will stretch you, and then find another tomorrow and the next day.
"If you don't risk anything, you risk even more." - Erica Jong
Tiffany, I am SO excited for you! You’re committing to giving your gift and letting it go (as far as how/if it’s received). That’s powerful and inspiring! Thank you. 🙌🏼
As a longtime writer, mostly blogs and one self-published book, I joined Substack mainly to be my new writing space, but also to grow a platform for books. I haven’t made much progress yet on the second part, but have been loving writing here. In answer to your question, I’m going to stretch myself by setting aside time to interact with writers like you via comments, messages, and notes. Thanks for that “push”. Cheers!