Whitney, I’m so glad you wrote this and a friend sent it my way. When I started on SS I didn’t have access to ShopMy and my content was different; sometimes that’s a hard confession to make. I think what I’m struggling with now is the way my notes feed is stuffed with affiliate links, the newsletters I read have less of a foundation in trading ideas and more in getting people shopping. I find myself needing to step back from the app more often so I can protect my own wallet AND creative process. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing this and I feel exactly the same way!! It’s simply becoming less fun as a writer AND as a reader. I think we will all collectively figure it out and this might be the growing pain era… hopefully!
Yes yes yes. As a consumer it feels really obvious (and often disingenuous) to me when Content Creators are pushing an agenda because they need to make money. And it’s obvious when everyone has the exact.same.buzzwords about a product that clearly the maker told them to mention. I think it often turns people off. There is no shame in being here for the fun of it and nothing more. That being said, I think not posting a lot can actually get more people interested because you’re always leaving the reader wanting more.
Totally agree on the buzzwords. I’ve been guilty before but it doesn’t feel good so lesson learned. And I like that idea of leaving people wanting more- hot take!!
I’m not in anyway looking to replace my 9-5, which I love very much. Being on Substack has been such a fun outlet for me and being on ShopMy has given me a bit of spending money (I was just able to replace my 9 year old laptop!) BUT I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t need to get pulled into the rat race of it all. I recently turned down some gifting because it wasn’t aligned at all. I think as long as we can keep checking in with ourselves (and maybe each other), we can keep our heads on straight?
I could talk about it forever and I really appreciate you naming it here.
Thank you so much for being so honest. I think you have it exactly right. It’s amazing to make that money and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all. In fact, I think it’s great! But we shouldn’t lose the spark that got us there in the process. Maybe we can come up with a way to continue this dialogue for those interested.
This resonated sooooo much. I’ve had so many similar thoughts about substack. I literally delete it from my phone for months at a time because i find it so overwhelming sometimes, both in needing to contribute content and reading everyone else’s. It’s just a lot! I try to remind myself that I’m purely on here as a hobby and I refuse to churn out content for no reason! Thank you for saying everything I’ve been thinking!
This resonated a lot with me. Joining Substack was never about business for me; I wanted a place where I could share all my craziness, connect with people from around the world, and have fun. I wanted to join ShopMy, but they didn't let me because I don't have 1,000 subscribers, and that threw me off. I'm the same as you, I don't want my daughter to see me taking pictures of myself. I do it when she is not looking or when she is at school. I don't want to normalize it at all, especially because I don't have any other social media platforms. You said it so clearly, and I love it!
Relate to this so much! This is a wildly fun outlet for me but so secondary to real life and motherhood. Who knows what may come of it, but the moment I feel that hamster wheel turning I have to detach and touch grass. Here for whatever we decide to make of this space!
This really resonated with me! I've worked as a freelance shopping writer for many big publications (Glamour, Forbes, SFGate, Brides, TIME, etc.) for the past 15 years and the allure of gifting is so real at first until you realize you're drowning in a sea of clutter and things you won't actually use. I'm very strict about what I say yes to now, though try to remain a little open bc sometimes the best stuff I try is things I wouldn't have guessed I would love...kind of like when you go shopping and actually try on things LOL.
I also came over to Substack to try to build my own small thing (and actually share genuine product recs since I'm limited to certain retailers at many big publishers), but I really have no interest in getting on TikTok or a million other platforms right now with 3 young kids who I want to soak in summer with as well. Anyway, thx for sharing! I find I'm constantly changing my mind about wanting to go all in on building this space and just being with my children.
You sound just like me, except you have professional credibility!!! Thanks for sharing this. Love the perspective of trying on things in real life... so well said and true!!
I really don't want Substack to go the way of blogs and social media, where every interesting piece of content eventually becomes a vehicle for brand deals, affiliate links, and shopping recommendations. It's already happening, which is why I hope there's a pushback against it in the same way there's been a pushback against the pressure to make video content here.
I'm tired of clicking on an article that promises a discussion about style, only to find it's essentially a shopping list. We already have countless places on the internet dedicated to selling us things. Substack doesn't need to become another one.
I'd love to see more writers focus on creating content that offers ideas, perspective, expertise, or original thinking rather than defaulting to product recommendations. The writing is the reason many of us are here in the first place.
Really enjoyed reading this, Whitney. I came here originally as a creative outlet, then I got sucked into feeling like it needed to be a revenue stream with a content calendar, and then felt down on myself when it was hard to hold myself to it (with a 9-5 and two kids and and and). I, like you, clam up! I could write a post here or there, but instead, analysis paralysis sets in.
I will say though that even when I’m not actively writing posts, I’m enjoying the camaraderie in the notes. I truly have made friends here and that feels like a really fun thing - the bright spot when I’m wondering what I’m doing here at all.
And then I feel a spark to write and I’m pulled back in! I do love it here. But I also enjoy the freedom to step away whenever I want to.
It sounds like you’ve figured out a really healthy and admirable mindset about all of this. I think I’m getting there but have to figure out my path. I love the idea of developing real friendships. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Loved this! And love your writing and your recs! I’m here for any and all you share but the whole time I was reading this I was thinking “same!” “Same!”
Thanks so much for saying that, Madison! Sometimes I feel like I'm just adding to the sameness but try to remind myself that each of us inherently has a unique opinion and take- we just have to stay true to it. Sounds cliche but true!!
Whenever I feel the pull to start a ShopMy, I remember that my brief stint as a micro influencer on Instagram was horrendous. I HATED making content for someone else. Even if i genuinely loved the brand and the product, the stress of creating content often eclipsed any joy I got from receiving something I loved for free.
But also, something’s gotta pay the bills and who among us doesn’t get a pit in our stomach the night before a Monday morning? Somewhere in there is a balance between making peace with the parts of your job you don’t enjoy so you can do the bits you love. Anyway, now I’m rambling haha. Loved this
Wow this REALLY resonated and echoes so much of what I’ve been feeling about Substack lately. It is HARD to drive those subscribers up but even worse to put so much pressure on yourself to do it (for what?!) and lose sight of why you started it in the first place. Comparison creep is real and it’s also such a waste of time. Loved the sentiment in this piece so much 🫶🏼
Comparison creep! If I say I haven't heard that before, does it make me sound too old to be on the internet?? For what it's worth, I'm finding that the more I write about stuff I actually care about, the more people tend to engage with it. Who would've thought! :)
I have started to unfollow and unsubscribe from accounts promoting sales - came onto Substack to escape the constant barrage on Instagram. Trying to curate my own way through this.
Such a good call. I do unsubscribe in my inbox when I feel like I'm consistently just not enjoying or benefitting from a writer. Kind of cold, but essential!
Whitney, I’m so glad you wrote this and a friend sent it my way. When I started on SS I didn’t have access to ShopMy and my content was different; sometimes that’s a hard confession to make. I think what I’m struggling with now is the way my notes feed is stuffed with affiliate links, the newsletters I read have less of a foundation in trading ideas and more in getting people shopping. I find myself needing to step back from the app more often so I can protect my own wallet AND creative process. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing this and I feel exactly the same way!! It’s simply becoming less fun as a writer AND as a reader. I think we will all collectively figure it out and this might be the growing pain era… hopefully!
We certainly will figure it out and I hope that where we land after all this is a place a bit more genuine!
Yes yes yes. As a consumer it feels really obvious (and often disingenuous) to me when Content Creators are pushing an agenda because they need to make money. And it’s obvious when everyone has the exact.same.buzzwords about a product that clearly the maker told them to mention. I think it often turns people off. There is no shame in being here for the fun of it and nothing more. That being said, I think not posting a lot can actually get more people interested because you’re always leaving the reader wanting more.
Totally agree on the buzzwords. I’ve been guilty before but it doesn’t feel good so lesson learned. And I like that idea of leaving people wanting more- hot take!!
Deeply feeling this!!
Glad I’m not alone and this resonates!!
I feel this soooo much.
I’m not in anyway looking to replace my 9-5, which I love very much. Being on Substack has been such a fun outlet for me and being on ShopMy has given me a bit of spending money (I was just able to replace my 9 year old laptop!) BUT I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t need to get pulled into the rat race of it all. I recently turned down some gifting because it wasn’t aligned at all. I think as long as we can keep checking in with ourselves (and maybe each other), we can keep our heads on straight?
I could talk about it forever and I really appreciate you naming it here.
Thank you so much for being so honest. I think you have it exactly right. It’s amazing to make that money and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all. In fact, I think it’s great! But we shouldn’t lose the spark that got us there in the process. Maybe we can come up with a way to continue this dialogue for those interested.
This resonated sooooo much. I’ve had so many similar thoughts about substack. I literally delete it from my phone for months at a time because i find it so overwhelming sometimes, both in needing to contribute content and reading everyone else’s. It’s just a lot! I try to remind myself that I’m purely on here as a hobby and I refuse to churn out content for no reason! Thank you for saying everything I’ve been thinking!
Churning is the perfect word!! It's really tough to find the balance and soooo easy to get overwhelmed by it. Appreciate you sharing this! 💙
This resonated a lot with me. Joining Substack was never about business for me; I wanted a place where I could share all my craziness, connect with people from around the world, and have fun. I wanted to join ShopMy, but they didn't let me because I don't have 1,000 subscribers, and that threw me off. I'm the same as you, I don't want my daughter to see me taking pictures of myself. I do it when she is not looking or when she is at school. I don't want to normalize it at all, especially because I don't have any other social media platforms. You said it so clearly, and I love it!
So interesting to hear you feel the same way as I do about what the kids see. Whenever I think about it, it makes me question things all over again!
Agreed! I try for this not to affect my work and my family time!
Relate to this so much! This is a wildly fun outlet for me but so secondary to real life and motherhood. Who knows what may come of it, but the moment I feel that hamster wheel turning I have to detach and touch grass. Here for whatever we decide to make of this space!
Amen!!! I guess I just took a minute to touch some grass :) well said!
Feel that!
This really resonated with me! I've worked as a freelance shopping writer for many big publications (Glamour, Forbes, SFGate, Brides, TIME, etc.) for the past 15 years and the allure of gifting is so real at first until you realize you're drowning in a sea of clutter and things you won't actually use. I'm very strict about what I say yes to now, though try to remain a little open bc sometimes the best stuff I try is things I wouldn't have guessed I would love...kind of like when you go shopping and actually try on things LOL.
I also came over to Substack to try to build my own small thing (and actually share genuine product recs since I'm limited to certain retailers at many big publishers), but I really have no interest in getting on TikTok or a million other platforms right now with 3 young kids who I want to soak in summer with as well. Anyway, thx for sharing! I find I'm constantly changing my mind about wanting to go all in on building this space and just being with my children.
You sound just like me, except you have professional credibility!!! Thanks for sharing this. Love the perspective of trying on things in real life... so well said and true!!
Yes, I'm also in LA! :)
Oh amazing! Hey friend!
I really don't want Substack to go the way of blogs and social media, where every interesting piece of content eventually becomes a vehicle for brand deals, affiliate links, and shopping recommendations. It's already happening, which is why I hope there's a pushback against it in the same way there's been a pushback against the pressure to make video content here.
I'm tired of clicking on an article that promises a discussion about style, only to find it's essentially a shopping list. We already have countless places on the internet dedicated to selling us things. Substack doesn't need to become another one.
I'd love to see more writers focus on creating content that offers ideas, perspective, expertise, or original thinking rather than defaulting to product recommendations. The writing is the reason many of us are here in the first place.
Couldn't have (and didn't) say it better myself!! This!!
Really enjoyed reading this, Whitney. I came here originally as a creative outlet, then I got sucked into feeling like it needed to be a revenue stream with a content calendar, and then felt down on myself when it was hard to hold myself to it (with a 9-5 and two kids and and and). I, like you, clam up! I could write a post here or there, but instead, analysis paralysis sets in.
I will say though that even when I’m not actively writing posts, I’m enjoying the camaraderie in the notes. I truly have made friends here and that feels like a really fun thing - the bright spot when I’m wondering what I’m doing here at all.
And then I feel a spark to write and I’m pulled back in! I do love it here. But I also enjoy the freedom to step away whenever I want to.
It sounds like you’ve figured out a really healthy and admirable mindset about all of this. I think I’m getting there but have to figure out my path. I love the idea of developing real friendships. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Loved this! And love your writing and your recs! I’m here for any and all you share but the whole time I was reading this I was thinking “same!” “Same!”
Thanks so much for saying that, Madison! Sometimes I feel like I'm just adding to the sameness but try to remind myself that each of us inherently has a unique opinion and take- we just have to stay true to it. Sounds cliche but true!!
Whenever I feel the pull to start a ShopMy, I remember that my brief stint as a micro influencer on Instagram was horrendous. I HATED making content for someone else. Even if i genuinely loved the brand and the product, the stress of creating content often eclipsed any joy I got from receiving something I loved for free.
But also, something’s gotta pay the bills and who among us doesn’t get a pit in our stomach the night before a Monday morning? Somewhere in there is a balance between making peace with the parts of your job you don’t enjoy so you can do the bits you love. Anyway, now I’m rambling haha. Loved this
This is so well said- not rambling at all!!! I know that feeling of the fun and joy being removed from this and it sucks. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this. I recognize the struggle and I’m really looking for transparency.
The more of us looking for transparency, the more transparency there will be (I hope!) 💙
Wow this REALLY resonated and echoes so much of what I’ve been feeling about Substack lately. It is HARD to drive those subscribers up but even worse to put so much pressure on yourself to do it (for what?!) and lose sight of why you started it in the first place. Comparison creep is real and it’s also such a waste of time. Loved the sentiment in this piece so much 🫶🏼
Comparison creep! If I say I haven't heard that before, does it make me sound too old to be on the internet?? For what it's worth, I'm finding that the more I write about stuff I actually care about, the more people tend to engage with it. Who would've thought! :)
I have started to unfollow and unsubscribe from accounts promoting sales - came onto Substack to escape the constant barrage on Instagram. Trying to curate my own way through this.
Such a good call. I do unsubscribe in my inbox when I feel like I'm consistently just not enjoying or benefitting from a writer. Kind of cold, but essential!
Really related to the sea of sameness and being burnt out!
Hopefully if enough of us recognize it, we can change the course of this thing!