Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Notes. I'm sitting on the sidelines for a bit longer. I came to Substack in search of quieter writing grounds and there is such a buzz about it right now. Am thinking on it, always open to trying something new while honoring how I work (write) best.
I’m a bit confused by it- I was enjoying the long form read/write/ discuss aspect and already had a sense that there is so much brilliant content I haven’t got time to read and now notes is like something else to keep up with. I’m hoping it will be useful to find new reads - see how I go
Hi Claire and co. Feeling similar to a lot of people here. I'm cautious about Notes as I don't want to get back into a scrolling habit which I feel I've made progress in breaking. I'm quite new to Substack but have found it such a tonic and a space which makes me feel open and abundant, the opposite of how scrolling on any of the socials makes me feel. I definitely have that FOMO/ curiosity feeling but also I'm happy for now to use Substack in a way which suits me. Let's see!
Haha yes, I think my initial ooh this is lovely was then met by, hold on this is rather overwhelming! I have since not looked at them and plan to only share when I really have something that warrants a quick share. I feel quite behind with posting and already that dread of 'another job' is seeping in - eeek. Any advice would be appreciated. With love, Lis x
After some excitement about Notes yesterday, I’m moving into a more cautious realm today. Hopeful and optimistic that this community of thoughtful creatives can keep sharing that way. But I’m also worried about my own ability to keep to boundaries I set for myself. I’m bouncing around mentally between thinking Notes is a great way to build up my readers, and knowing it will distract me from the reason I’m actually here, which is my writing.
NB * 6 of the 10 have unsubscribed so I noted that 😆 now I know we are not here for “everyone” but this doesn’t usually happen so I think the snap decisions here have been a faster and more unlikely pace for substackers?!
Love this Claire, especially your point that we still get to chose how we show up and interact in this space. I'm really liking Notes, but I do think it's going to be interesting to see how it evolves. I think one of the main benefits of it will be the Restack function so that you can share quotes from things you've read and enjoyed. I'm already using it to find new publications/writers to subscribe to (something I kind of struggled with before). What I don't really want to see is Notes turn into a carbon copy of Instagram where people are sharing just random photos/noise - I hope it stays intentional, where it's used to recommend and highlight writing that you connect with.
In the old days when I used to 'do' traditional social media, it nearly killed me. I know I can't knock something unless I've tried it, but for now I'm not trying Notes, because it sounds like a similar kind of set-up. Happy to just be me, and to read and write and comment on posts as I always have done, and if that means I might be missing out - well, if I don't know what I'm missing then I'm not missing it! 😊😉🤣
I read so much about burnout and overwhelm - both in the news and by writers right here on Substack - and in my crippling experience social media was fuel to EXACTLY those two horrid flames. I'm steering clear of Notes for now, but I wish Substack the very best for this new string to its bow.
I think it’s got potential for discovering and engaging with people and creating a sense of community. I’m going to need to exercise some discipline though so I don’t lose hours of my life scrolling through it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Notes. I'm sitting on the sidelines for a bit longer. I came to Substack in search of quieter writing grounds and there is such a buzz about it right now. Am thinking on it, always open to trying something new while honoring how I work (write) best.
I’m a bit confused by it- I was enjoying the long form read/write/ discuss aspect and already had a sense that there is so much brilliant content I haven’t got time to read and now notes is like something else to keep up with. I’m hoping it will be useful to find new reads - see how I go
Hi Claire and co. Feeling similar to a lot of people here. I'm cautious about Notes as I don't want to get back into a scrolling habit which I feel I've made progress in breaking. I'm quite new to Substack but have found it such a tonic and a space which makes me feel open and abundant, the opposite of how scrolling on any of the socials makes me feel. I definitely have that FOMO/ curiosity feeling but also I'm happy for now to use Substack in a way which suits me. Let's see!
Haha yes, I think my initial ooh this is lovely was then met by, hold on this is rather overwhelming! I have since not looked at them and plan to only share when I really have something that warrants a quick share. I feel quite behind with posting and already that dread of 'another job' is seeping in - eeek. Any advice would be appreciated. With love, Lis x
After some excitement about Notes yesterday, I’m moving into a more cautious realm today. Hopeful and optimistic that this community of thoughtful creatives can keep sharing that way. But I’m also worried about my own ability to keep to boundaries I set for myself. I’m bouncing around mentally between thinking Notes is a great way to build up my readers, and knowing it will distract me from the reason I’m actually here, which is my writing.
NB * 6 of the 10 have unsubscribed so I noted that 😆 now I know we are not here for “everyone” but this doesn’t usually happen so I think the snap decisions here have been a faster and more unlikely pace for substackers?!
Love this Claire, especially your point that we still get to chose how we show up and interact in this space. I'm really liking Notes, but I do think it's going to be interesting to see how it evolves. I think one of the main benefits of it will be the Restack function so that you can share quotes from things you've read and enjoyed. I'm already using it to find new publications/writers to subscribe to (something I kind of struggled with before). What I don't really want to see is Notes turn into a carbon copy of Instagram where people are sharing just random photos/noise - I hope it stays intentional, where it's used to recommend and highlight writing that you connect with.
Great question, Claire! ⭐️
In the old days when I used to 'do' traditional social media, it nearly killed me. I know I can't knock something unless I've tried it, but for now I'm not trying Notes, because it sounds like a similar kind of set-up. Happy to just be me, and to read and write and comment on posts as I always have done, and if that means I might be missing out - well, if I don't know what I'm missing then I'm not missing it! 😊😉🤣
I read so much about burnout and overwhelm - both in the news and by writers right here on Substack - and in my crippling experience social media was fuel to EXACTLY those two horrid flames. I'm steering clear of Notes for now, but I wish Substack the very best for this new string to its bow.
I think it’s got potential for discovering and engaging with people and creating a sense of community. I’m going to need to exercise some discipline though so I don’t lose hours of my life scrolling through it!