I believe it was this past Wednesday (the 23rd) that was my actual six month date. Though I had started reading in Substack in January (thanks to
and ), it was in February that I started writing as well.Originally this was going to be just my personal blog. I chose to start it here instead of going back to Blogger and reviving my old personal blog because, why not? I’d heard a little about Substack at that point, and after reading a few blogs, thought, why not? And I’m a writer too, so hell yes!
Then the what if’s kicked in: what if I use this as a forum to workshop my writing? What if I start a podcast of my own? What if I start practicing Presence here? What if I let myself Play and create and share?
Beneath the idea of Substack-as-Playground, though, there was/is a sense of urgency: Humanity is approaching a significant crossroads in the next two years (2024-25, aka the Dragon and Snake Years). The call has gone out for All Hands on Deck, and I was given the Go-Ahead from my guides to Level Up. This is one of the results of doing so. (And if you’re new to the Substackverse, this may be one of the reasons you joined too!)
My perspective has changed a little in these six months. Now I’m viewing Substack as more of a Laboratory, and I am (of course) the Mad Scientist. *insert evil laugh here* I have been reviewing a few things, and making changes, and considering next steps. My intention now is to experiment with some things in October, as that is my birth month and the month where I am usually at my best, energetically and otherwise. I will still continue to post as regularly as my brain will let me.
I am most active in the Notes space, for a few reasons: It’s easier for me to microblog in Notes than it is to come up with full blown posts, both in mental bandwidth terms and in just being downright silly at times. I can find other folks to subscribe to without having to perform exhaustive and exhausting searches; for the record, I’m most attracted to the offbeat and the authentic. Hitting one of my fields of interest is a plus. (It’s a long list, but if you look at my subscriptions blogroll, you’ll get a clue.) Also, if I’m going to be truly honest, I’ve missed the sense of community that social media can provide. I left Facebook and Twitter in 2018 to preserve what little of my sanity remained at the time, and though I still have an Instagram account, I don’t remember the last time I logged onto it, which means it’s probably been years. (Don’t do and never will do TikTok, so there.)
I know I’ve only scratched the surface of what I can do in the Substackverse, and I’m super stoked that I have honest-to-Goddess subscribers. Y’all are the ones that are going to keep me accountable, in spite of my rewired brain. Again, for the record: I’m not out to build an empire of millions who dote on my every word. My primary impulse is to Create and share my Creations (written, artistic, and otherwise) with anyone who is interested. If what I share touches you in some way, then I’ve accomplished my Important Work.
Until next time…
Congratulations on six months! It’s brave of you to take the plunge. Believe me, I know. Very glad you did!
Love this, mad scientist! And congrats on your 6 month anniversary, how exciting! Can’t wait to see all you create in the future!