Love this post! It said everything I needed to hear and congratulations for sharing and writing about this milestone of yours. i think when people see the numbers or simple other people's "success" we often have no idea the Hard Work and went unseen, the non-billable hours of labour, for the work we believe in and love.
I especially resonated with: "I’ve tried hard to get over my fear of being seen, heard and criticized. And my fear of being cancelled for saying the wrong thing. And my fear of other people ripping off my writing or impersonating me online. And my fear of trolls. And my fear of accidentally offending someone. And my fear of looking dumb...."
I just started on Substack and published my first post last week! I am proud and terrified at the same time, it was a big step towards me confronting and facing all those very same fears you spoke of. Thank you
I am still reading because you continue to show up, s#it scared or not, your voice is authentic and lifts and inspires, so I will keep reading, with gratitude. The numbers are nice, however it is the engagement between me (and all your readers) with who you be that makes the real difference. Numbers are nice, but do not reflect how you play in our minds and hearts. So mind the numbers, and celebrate the connections.
Thank you so much, this made me tear up just a little. I totally agree - the numbers are nice but the community here is what's really changed everything for me ❤️
Congratulations!!! You deserve this. I started reading your work last year and it motivated me to keep writing and gave a name to the vague feeling of wanting to do work different - portfolio careers.
“Trying really hard” is so refreshing! Nowadays, people try to make growing online seem so easy. Although it can make these ppl seem impressive on the surface, it more often creates feelings of inadequacy in everyone else wondering why they can’t replicate the success.
Exactly! I don't think anyone benefits from the clickbait-y titles or painting a picture that doing this is easy. It's not, it takes a lot of work!! And I think that's something to be shared. Thanks for being here ❤️
Thank you! I named it after my name because a) I like that in rhymed, b) I didn't have any other good ideas and c) I thought it would help build equity in me as the individual, as opposed to a publication.
Huge congrats - what an inspiration!! and thank you for sharing what it takes to build something from scratch and not try to make it look effortless. I’m just starting over on substack and I can 100% relate to the fears and doubts behind the scenes.
“Despite popular opinion, being a try-hard is not cringeworthy or something to be ashamed of.” 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 respect!! 🫡
Congratulations! When I first discovered your substack, I immediately subscribed for your authentic yet sarcastic voice, which, as you shared, you intentionally tried very hard to craft. I especially resonated with the emphasis on persistence and putting in genuine effort into what you want to make happen; that felt like a breath of fresh air in a world full of glorifying overnight successes and taking shortcuts. This was a much needed encouragement to keep writing on substack and to continue creating. Thank you for this post Anna!
As always, truth bombs dropped, Anna! I almost pictured you in your hoodie sitting in your balcony writing this (did you haha!). Congrats once again, have a cake from my side. 🤍
I haven’t published in the last 8 months almost because life took over but I’m finally back to building my business and really hoping i can quit my job by this year end. 🤞
As with any multi potentialite, the shiny object syndrome is still alive in me and I’m really having to focus on just building my business on the side, but writing on substack is also so dear to me, so i hope i can balance it all out and meet you on the other side soonest! ✨
Congratulations, Anna! Such an incredible milestone, and I have no doubt that a lot of work went into getting where you are.
Thank you for your honesty, too. Running a Substack DOES take hard work. There are weeks when I don't see much growth in my subscribers, weeks when I have a spike, and weeks that feel slow but steady. But I love this space and the community here, so that's what keeps me showing up. That, and blocking out all the "How I got 50k new subscribers in a month" posts...
It really does!! And I think it's important to share that, because otherwise it sets unrealistic expectations for everyone. Congrats to you too for building such a great publication! x
Beautiful! I sometimes get discouraged because it seems like a lot of work to “make it” here. And some people seem to do so effortlessly. But the growth is in the work.
I love to see the other side that most people don’t mention: the hard work, the fear, the worries! Thanks for sharing ✨ I am very inspired by your profile and going to dive in more deeply into your texts!
Love this post! It said everything I needed to hear and congratulations for sharing and writing about this milestone of yours. i think when people see the numbers or simple other people's "success" we often have no idea the Hard Work and went unseen, the non-billable hours of labour, for the work we believe in and love.
I especially resonated with: "I’ve tried hard to get over my fear of being seen, heard and criticized. And my fear of being cancelled for saying the wrong thing. And my fear of other people ripping off my writing or impersonating me online. And my fear of trolls. And my fear of accidentally offending someone. And my fear of looking dumb...."
I just started on Substack and published my first post last week! I am proud and terrified at the same time, it was a big step towards me confronting and facing all those very same fears you spoke of. Thank you
Congrats!!! The first post is a massive milestone and you should be so proud ❤️
Thnak you Anna, and yes. I AM! 😊
I am still reading because you continue to show up, s#it scared or not, your voice is authentic and lifts and inspires, so I will keep reading, with gratitude. The numbers are nice, however it is the engagement between me (and all your readers) with who you be that makes the real difference. Numbers are nice, but do not reflect how you play in our minds and hearts. So mind the numbers, and celebrate the connections.
Thank you so much, this made me tear up just a little. I totally agree - the numbers are nice but the community here is what's really changed everything for me ❤️
Well said!
Congratulations!!! You deserve this. I started reading your work last year and it motivated me to keep writing and gave a name to the vague feeling of wanting to do work different - portfolio careers.
Oh thanks so much Aneisha, I appreciate the support!
I recently joined substack and your writing is so good! I've binged so many of your posts. Keep going!
This makes me happy!! Thank so much 🫶🏼
Congratulations on the huge milestone! And shout-out to effort, obsession, and consistency.
Thank you 🥹
“Trying really hard” is so refreshing! Nowadays, people try to make growing online seem so easy. Although it can make these ppl seem impressive on the surface, it more often creates feelings of inadequacy in everyone else wondering why they can’t replicate the success.
Great lessons, as always, and congrats on 10k! 🥂
Exactly! I don't think anyone benefits from the clickbait-y titles or painting a picture that doing this is easy. It's not, it takes a lot of work!! And I think that's something to be shared. Thanks for being here ❤️
Congrats on hitting 10K. I like your part about not putting yourself in a specific niche. Is that why your newsletter name is just your name /
stack?
Thank you! I named it after my name because a) I like that in rhymed, b) I didn't have any other good ideas and c) I thought it would help build equity in me as the individual, as opposed to a publication.
Just starting but already feel you
🫶🏼
Huge congrats - what an inspiration!! and thank you for sharing what it takes to build something from scratch and not try to make it look effortless. I’m just starting over on substack and I can 100% relate to the fears and doubts behind the scenes.
“Despite popular opinion, being a try-hard is not cringeworthy or something to be ashamed of.” 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 respect!! 🫡
Thank you 🤩
Congratulations! When I first discovered your substack, I immediately subscribed for your authentic yet sarcastic voice, which, as you shared, you intentionally tried very hard to craft. I especially resonated with the emphasis on persistence and putting in genuine effort into what you want to make happen; that felt like a breath of fresh air in a world full of glorifying overnight successes and taking shortcuts. This was a much needed encouragement to keep writing on substack and to continue creating. Thank you for this post Anna!
Thanks for appreciating my sarcasm hah! ❤️
Your post just made my day, Anna. I can feel your struggles from your writing style and fair play you stayed in the fight.
I wish I had your resilience over the years as I succumbed to shiny objects etc.
Your story has given me hope as I start yet again.
Thanks for sharing, Anna
Thank James, that means a lot.
As always, truth bombs dropped, Anna! I almost pictured you in your hoodie sitting in your balcony writing this (did you haha!). Congrats once again, have a cake from my side. 🤍
I haven’t published in the last 8 months almost because life took over but I’m finally back to building my business and really hoping i can quit my job by this year end. 🤞
As with any multi potentialite, the shiny object syndrome is still alive in me and I’m really having to focus on just building my business on the side, but writing on substack is also so dear to me, so i hope i can balance it all out and meet you on the other side soonest! ✨
Haha, 99% of my writing is done in a hoodie, so you're spot on. Thanks for your support ❤️
Congratulations, Anna! Such an incredible milestone, and I have no doubt that a lot of work went into getting where you are.
Thank you for your honesty, too. Running a Substack DOES take hard work. There are weeks when I don't see much growth in my subscribers, weeks when I have a spike, and weeks that feel slow but steady. But I love this space and the community here, so that's what keeps me showing up. That, and blocking out all the "How I got 50k new subscribers in a month" posts...
It really does!! And I think it's important to share that, because otherwise it sets unrealistic expectations for everyone. Congrats to you too for building such a great publication! x
Beautiful! I sometimes get discouraged because it seems like a lot of work to “make it” here. And some people seem to do so effortlessly. But the growth is in the work.
Keep going, I promise it's worth it ❤️
Thank you, I’m doing my best 🩷
I love to see the other side that most people don’t mention: the hard work, the fear, the worries! Thanks for sharing ✨ I am very inspired by your profile and going to dive in more deeply into your texts!
Thank you 🥹
Congrats Anna! What a milestone and so very much deserved 👏
Thanks lovely!