Fantastic journey through a challenging time. It’s been beautiful to watch it happening, the ups and downs, the evolution of it all. I’m glad you are back in a place where you find so much joy!
Thank you sweetheart. I know I put you through it, and I appreciate you supporting me through the process. ♥️♥️♥️ Your kind words and gentle encouragement help me stay the course. I couldn’t do this without your patience in how long this journey is.
So much wisdom in this part of your journey! This path we chose doesn’t move in a straight line, and offers many points to shift direction and find surprises!
I can so relate to this... I did the same thing. I quit writing because I was stuck, because I was tired, because it all looked like crap, and it made me realize how important writing was even if no one ever sees a single word I write. Wishing you success! So glad we've reconnected.
Yes! That's exactly what happened to me. So glad that in the pause we were shown what really matters to us. And I'm glad we reconnected too. Thanks for reading my stuff!
Let me know what you think of Goose. Thank you, Heather, for reading. I'm so glad it resonated with you. Compiling that list of resources made me feel like I wasn't alone, lol!
There is incredible beauty here alongside new insights - I love it!
"I realized I was pushing way too hard. I brought too many expectations to the page—about money, identity, and success. The novel had become my whole identity. If it didn’t work, who was I?" Holy crap - I think this is the subconscious drive behind my cycles that led to burnout, that I don't think I saw this clearly before you named it like that. Thank you! I also really felt what you said about success - that it's not about output but about how true you stay to your path. What a great awareness to keep in mind. It's what I'm taking away, tucking it with my nudges and inner knowing that point the way forward and help me align with the long-term bigger picture rather than getting wrapped up in productivity and output💖
That subconscious drive is the puppet master! But you and I are on to it now, so no more of that nonsense! I'm so glad you got a takeaway from this post. Lovely to have your voice here in the comments.
It's a hard path to tread, knowing the diifference between discipline and hard labour. Between that deciding if I'm skiving off because it is hard or because I simply don't want to do it anymore. That is the hardest thing I find - no one is making me, no one cares - but facing that is terribly hard. I have found that getting the book finished and havng to spend time and energy figuring out how to now get people to read it is a whole other huge moutnain to climb. A whole other task to feel pressured and guilty about. Wondering what was the point in writing it if no one is goiing to read it - and the only way to get people to read it is to take on a whole other day job - well, that is, perhaps, off topic - I am glad you found your way back to a rythmn of working with pleasure and satisfaction.
Jennifer, I can relate in so many ways. What you’re saying is very true. No one cares if you finish. No one but you. And I’ve come to decide that’s all that matters. Writing is how I want to spend my time. Writing makes me happy. As my friend Virginia says, the cost of not writing is very high.
And like you, I want to get paid for it. The hard part of creating is you have to look at it like a business, and marketing is a critical component. I used to interview farmers who had small, family-owned organic farms. Their produce was gorgeous and all they wanted to do was grow it. They don’t want to spend the time and $500 to get certified, so they could charge more—and they definitely didn’t want to do any marketing. The problem with that is if no one knows about your work, no one is going to read it. So the question becomes, how can I create awareness while staying true to myself?
You might be skiving off because the work is hard— just writing a book is hard AF. It’s so hard that maybe you don’t want to do it anymore. That’s where I got. That’s what this series is all about. Were you able to skiv off without guilt? Give yourself what you needed?
Working full time and trying to establish a career as a novelist is also hard. Very hard.
You’re doing a lot.
What if you measured where you were a year ago to where you are now (instead of where you want to be)? And skiv off for two weeks and see what happens.
Thank you for showing up in these comments, for being candid, and for sharing your struggle. It’s real and I’m glad you’re here. ♥️
Sent too soon….What if you measured where you were a year ago to where you are now (instead of where you want to be)? And skiv off for two weeks and see what happens. ….good advice. I did think about where I was a year ago and I am a long way further on - I was determined to try and establish myself in some way in a platform where I could eventually sell my book and here I am, on Substack with 750ish subscribers. So that’s hard work that has paid off.
As for taking two weeks off .. not sure if I’m ready to do that. But storing it up as an option!
Good luck with your renewed enjoyment. Looking forward to seeing how it goes for you. (Feel invested)
This was such an honest and restorative read. I love how you reframed stepping away not as failure, but as a kind of deep listening to yourself, to the dream. It’s a powerful reminder that growth often happens in the quiet. I love Goose also! 🐕
Thank you so much, Wayne. I love that you used the word restorative to describe this. That restores me. And thank you for pointing out the reframe. You nailed it. A deep listening to yourself and the dream. Honoring what shows up and how it shows up. Thank you for showing up here. 🤩
Welcome back, and good work there!
Thank you. It sure was a process! I’m glad I’m back too.
Fantastic journey through a challenging time. It’s been beautiful to watch it happening, the ups and downs, the evolution of it all. I’m glad you are back in a place where you find so much joy!
Thank you sweetheart. I know I put you through it, and I appreciate you supporting me through the process. ♥️♥️♥️ Your kind words and gentle encouragement help me stay the course. I couldn’t do this without your patience in how long this journey is.
Such a great post! Now I want to take a break!
Haha! Thank you. And you should. We have Camille to encourage us!
So much wisdom in this part of your journey! This path we chose doesn’t move in a straight line, and offers many points to shift direction and find surprises!
I love your perspective. A surprise around every corner. I appreciate you, and I'm enjoying your pages!
I can so relate to this... I did the same thing. I quit writing because I was stuck, because I was tired, because it all looked like crap, and it made me realize how important writing was even if no one ever sees a single word I write. Wishing you success! So glad we've reconnected.
Yes! That's exactly what happened to me. So glad that in the pause we were shown what really matters to us. And I'm glad we reconnected too. Thanks for reading my stuff!
Great article. Good series.
Thank you, Reta. 🫶🏻
So inspiring, Marta! This made me so happy to read. I'm so excited for you and where this path takes you! 💙
Thank you. Coming from you, that means a lot! 💙
Love this: "...I'm going softer. I'm going with joy."
Looking forward to checking out Goose. And what a great list of resources!
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Let me know what you think of Goose. Thank you, Heather, for reading. I'm so glad it resonated with you. Compiling that list of resources made me feel like I wasn't alone, lol!
Yeah! Back at it.
🙌🏻
There is incredible beauty here alongside new insights - I love it!
"I realized I was pushing way too hard. I brought too many expectations to the page—about money, identity, and success. The novel had become my whole identity. If it didn’t work, who was I?" Holy crap - I think this is the subconscious drive behind my cycles that led to burnout, that I don't think I saw this clearly before you named it like that. Thank you! I also really felt what you said about success - that it's not about output but about how true you stay to your path. What a great awareness to keep in mind. It's what I'm taking away, tucking it with my nudges and inner knowing that point the way forward and help me align with the long-term bigger picture rather than getting wrapped up in productivity and output💖
That subconscious drive is the puppet master! But you and I are on to it now, so no more of that nonsense! I'm so glad you got a takeaway from this post. Lovely to have your voice here in the comments.
It's a hard path to tread, knowing the diifference between discipline and hard labour. Between that deciding if I'm skiving off because it is hard or because I simply don't want to do it anymore. That is the hardest thing I find - no one is making me, no one cares - but facing that is terribly hard. I have found that getting the book finished and havng to spend time and energy figuring out how to now get people to read it is a whole other huge moutnain to climb. A whole other task to feel pressured and guilty about. Wondering what was the point in writing it if no one is goiing to read it - and the only way to get people to read it is to take on a whole other day job - well, that is, perhaps, off topic - I am glad you found your way back to a rythmn of working with pleasure and satisfaction.
Jennifer, I can relate in so many ways. What you’re saying is very true. No one cares if you finish. No one but you. And I’ve come to decide that’s all that matters. Writing is how I want to spend my time. Writing makes me happy. As my friend Virginia says, the cost of not writing is very high.
And like you, I want to get paid for it. The hard part of creating is you have to look at it like a business, and marketing is a critical component. I used to interview farmers who had small, family-owned organic farms. Their produce was gorgeous and all they wanted to do was grow it. They don’t want to spend the time and $500 to get certified, so they could charge more—and they definitely didn’t want to do any marketing. The problem with that is if no one knows about your work, no one is going to read it. So the question becomes, how can I create awareness while staying true to myself?
You might be skiving off because the work is hard— just writing a book is hard AF. It’s so hard that maybe you don’t want to do it anymore. That’s where I got. That’s what this series is all about. Were you able to skiv off without guilt? Give yourself what you needed?
Working full time and trying to establish a career as a novelist is also hard. Very hard.
You’re doing a lot.
What if you measured where you were a year ago to where you are now (instead of where you want to be)? And skiv off for two weeks and see what happens.
Thank you for showing up in these comments, for being candid, and for sharing your struggle. It’s real and I’m glad you’re here. ♥️
Good advice. I do
Sent too soon….What if you measured where you were a year ago to where you are now (instead of where you want to be)? And skiv off for two weeks and see what happens. ….good advice. I did think about where I was a year ago and I am a long way further on - I was determined to try and establish myself in some way in a platform where I could eventually sell my book and here I am, on Substack with 750ish subscribers. So that’s hard work that has paid off.
As for taking two weeks off .. not sure if I’m ready to do that. But storing it up as an option!
Good luck with your renewed enjoyment. Looking forward to seeing how it goes for you. (Feel invested)
How fantastic! Your hard work is working. Congratulations on 750is subscribers. That’s no small thing. Thank you for reading.
This is incredibly helpful in so many ways, thank you for sharing! I am so happy to hear this and love watching your journey continue to unfold.
Thank you, Rachel. I’m so glad it was helpful! I appreciate you. 💙
This was such an honest and restorative read. I love how you reframed stepping away not as failure, but as a kind of deep listening to yourself, to the dream. It’s a powerful reminder that growth often happens in the quiet. I love Goose also! 🐕
What! You’re a Goose fan! How fantastic!
Thank you so much, Wayne. I love that you used the word restorative to describe this. That restores me. And thank you for pointing out the reframe. You nailed it. A deep listening to yourself and the dream. Honoring what shows up and how it shows up. Thank you for showing up here. 🤩