Chapter 1: My Journey on Substack

When I first joined Substack, I was eager to discover a new platform to connect with readers, engage with others, and learn about myself in the process. However, after much reflection, I’ve decided to step back. While my reasons are personal, they may offer insights as you consider your own path. Our experiences will inevitably differ, but Substack is no longer the right fit for me. Here’s why:

1. Distracted Focus

   ∘ ❤ Thank you ❤

2. Long-Term Monetization Challenges

3. Balancing Time and Effort

4. Enjoyment in Writing

1. Distracted Focus

In the past three months, I’ve gained significant traction on Medium, prompting me to reevaluate my goals. Am I pursuing more earnings? Writing for free in hopes of making a profit seems absurd when I think about it. Thus, I’ve chosen to concentrate my efforts on Medium, where I’m finding my community. My divided focus is pulling readers away from my work, and I yearn to engage and share experiences more fully! I'm setting aside Vocal, Simily, Newsbreak, and Substack to focus solely on this platform.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing individuals who regularly read and engage with me, fueling my passion! Your support means the world. ❤

2. Long-Term Monetization Challenges

Unless you're among the few like Tim Denning or Austin Kleon, turning a profit on Substack can be a slow journey. Initially, I was okay with this, believing that my time was well spent if I could connect with others and make a small impact. However, I soon realized I already had a wonderful circle of individuals to share my experiences with, reinforcing my decision to focus on Medium.

3. Balancing Time and Effort

This point is closely linked to the previous ones. The time I devoted to Substack didn’t bring me joy, unlike my writing on Medium, which I genuinely love. The effort required for each newsletter felt excessive compared to the minimal outcomes. Sure, I could potentially cultivate growth over time, but for now, Medium represents a better use of my time. By the time I was set to publish my third installment, it felt more like a burden than a creative outlet. I found myself retreating into my fiction writing instead, which isn’t what I intended for this space—originally meant for self-improvement and managing mental health.

4. Enjoyment in Writing

During my second week of newsletter writing, it became apparent that I enjoyed creating visuals more than writing itself. This realization was disheartening because I genuinely love the writing process! I also take joy in creating images and GIFs, which I can share on Medium and Twitter—platforms that have proven to be less stressful than I initially thought.

With everything I have going on right in front of me, why should I continue with Substack?

Final Thoughts

Let me be clear: Substack has immense potential for writers! I hope my reflections assist you in making your own decisions. It's user-friendly, manageable, and offers a wealth of free resources to help grow your audience. While I admire the platform, it simply doesn’t align with my current needs.

Now comes the challenging task of redirecting my previous work to encourage subscriptions on Medium instead! Wish me luck as I edit over 100 stories! 🤪

What have your experiences been with Substack? Did you choose not to join the trend? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

For more great reads, check out these talented writers:

• 'Siren Song' by Thief
• 'My Son Made A Guest Appearance On My YouTube Writing Channel' by Scot Butwell

xoxo,

Bridie

Mad writer, Simpsons and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend enthusiast. 🌻

Founder and Editor of Youness-ness.

And here’s my new subscription option! Woo! 🤓 (Still searching for the perfect gif) Subscribe to receive all my stories directly in your inbox! ❤

Chapter 2: Video Insights

In this video, I share my experiences after a year and a half on Substack, detailing my reasons for leaving the platform.

This video explores my decision to quit writing on Twitter and LinkedIn, highlighting the challenges and benefits of focusing my efforts elsewhere.