One year of writing on Substack
365 days passed, 60 posts written, 100 readers subscribed, and a community of support and inspiration found.
Dear you,
First and foremost, I want to heartfully thank you for subscribing to these letters. I am here because you are here, because you encourage me and support me. Thank you for this year together. It has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.
I also want to especially thank
for the collaborations and companionship this year. It was helpful and it gave me a lot of courage. I also want to thank to Laura from Hill & Haar, who both inspired and supported me when I wrote on my website. It brought me such comfort and courage too.This is a longer post. If you’re reading this on your email, please press ‘download entire message’ as it may be have been shortened, or you can read it directly here.
This is a meaningful moment
It is a milestone for me, as I have never written so much as I have this year. I have never written so consistently. Also, I have never had so many people reading my words. I am so grateful for this. This is a moment of growth, of self-fulfilment. A step towards doing more of what I love doing, writing. It feels like magic in my finger tips.
I have had two blogs before, where I wrote occasionally. I found it hard to never have replies or community, but also it was hard to find like minded writers. When I wrote my first entry here, Substack & Blog Posts: I’m split, and I had my first conversation in the comments, it was like magic. The void had become people, with real faces and honest stories. This was when I realised the potential of this platform.
Not only did I write a lot on
, I also wrote more in my journal, and I wrote more poems, some even better suited for collection I am putting together. Writing became habit, even when uninspired. Words became even more words.“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working." —Henri Matisse
The lessons from this year
These lessons interlace with one another, to make the tapestry of what this platform taught me and why I kept coming back:
1. A place of kinship
I found a place of like minded people, that inspires, supports and encourages. There is no fear, as there are no trolls. It’s a place to be authentic, to create as you please. It truly is a community, and I found companionship here.
2. Room to play
An effect of this accepting and supportive community is that there is room to be yourself, which in turn allows you to find your own way, and in the process grow.
3. Simple to start
When you have an idea, start doing it. You’ll find your way, as go, and fine tune the branding when it feels right. Sometimes, you need to be doing something for a while, for the small things to make sense. For instance, I knew that I wanted to write about poetry, slow living and feelings, but I didn’t have a fixed idea, and I’m still figuring it out, while enjoying the journey.
4. Growth comes organically
Adding to point 3: As you start unfolding, new ideas will begin to grow in your mind. That’s why starting, even you are not 100% sure, is a good idea. You will grow along the way, and invite readers into that journey.
5. The rule book is yours
In your introductory email and about page, I forgot to include the frequency and type of content, but I fix that since. This offered me an opportunity to set my own pace, and the reader knew what to expect.
6. Creating a series
The ‘kindred notes’ series has become a cosy friend I can return to, at a frequency that suits my schedule, yet creating consistency. It helped me deepen my creative practice by explore a theme, as well as, being a resource when my creativity took a break.
7. Enjoying the content you create
Share and create what you enjoy, and people will enjoy it too. Don’t think of what other people would like to read or see, rather share what you know and savour. It makes it special.
8. Meeting in the comments and finding likeminded accounts
I found kinship, in the comments of my own or other writers’ posts. Either when I commented and it sparked conversation with the auther, but also other writers. I found lovely accounts and people this way. Another way, is to explore the suggestions on the accounts you enjoy, it’s the perfect way to find other accounts that you might enjoy.
9. Be the support you want to have
As you discover words of the above mentioned kinship, there a few things that show your support of other’s work:
Sharing the post or an excerpt to notes;
If someone inspires you, mention them in your post;
Add them to your recommendations on your page, and when you are ready add a blurb.
What is your best tip or learning? I’d love to know.
What’s to come
I am going to continue sharing slow seasonal living, exploring feelings, and to share my poems. I am also aiming at publishing my poetry book at the end of this year or beginning of next year, and I hope to share a bit more behind the scenes as I move along this process.
As I turn this cornerstone, I am also thinking of setting up a paid wall later this year, for some more vulnerable posts, to feel safer and share more. But first, there is planning and writing to be done. I will let you know before this wall comes up, as I want to offer a discount to those who have been here this year.
I would like to hear from you, kind reader, what would like to read more of, and if there is anything you would like me to explore.
“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” – Mae West
Writers whose words have made me feel at home
I have compiled a list of recommendations, as I want to celebrate those who author words of comfort, delight, discovery, slow living, creativity and authenticity:
- by : a place to discover meaningful and seasonal playfulness and growth.
- by : a cosy magic corner with poetry and a love of writing.
- by : your Substack yoda, helping find your way to sustainable growth.
- by : words on curiosity and deep feelings, both inviting and honest.
by : soft and sensitive posts for tender hearts.- by : a very important space for women’s health and words of support.
- by : on a slower paced life and values.
- by : letters on the journey to living a simpler life.
- by : inspiring entries on rest, healing and a slower, more attainable life.
- by : wonderful honest words on mental health and living.
- : a safe place for emotional growth and self discovery
Lastly, I want to share some of the favourite words I’ve written this year
— From journalling:
— From poetry:
— From slow & seasonal:
As I wrap up this entry, I want leave you with a quote that refers to glimmers, which this one year milestone definitely is:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” —Maya Angelou
I am already looking forward to what this year will hold, as I continue to lean into writing.
Thank you again for being here, for supporting my writing, and thereby my dream. Also, how wonderful you are, to have made it all the way through to the end of this very long email. I wish you a tender and loving week.
What a beautiful wrap up of your year, so many positive learnings. You’ve reminded me how much I love being here too Nadja :) Thank you for the kind mention! 🌟xx
This is such a beautiful post, Nadja. It gave me all the fuzzy feelings reading about how fulfilled you are after getting into a flow with your writing. I’m especially excited about reading more of your poetry. Thanks for including me in this lovely roundup 🥰