Keen Observation

The keen observer will have noticed a couple posts in my stories with a link to Substack. However, I have decided not to follow that trajectory as nothing about the Substack platform sits well with me. Yes, I have to pay to host this blog and I see no way to monetize it without shilling ad space for god knows what; and while there is potential to actually make money on Substack the sharing, liking and subscribing doesn’t sit well with me. Nor does the feeling of forcing my devoted readers into receiving another email or newsletter in the inbox. Another ping, another exercise of thumb dexterity as you swipe to archive it because, “Oh god, another”?!?

Frankly, I don’t know what is more adorable, the devotion of the three people who subscribed to my short-lived Substack or my efforts to force myself on you. Either way, thank you, you three! I much prefer to write my blog, express myself and let the reader decide if and when they care or have time to engage. The gamification of writing by sharing/liking/subscribing is the antithesis of why I choose to express myself through the written word. It’s an attempted to slow down my racing mind and connect with anyone so inclined. I’m honoured anyone takes the time to come all the way over here from your instagram feed.

It’s an odd place to inhabit. Standing firm on a disdain for social media while at the same time using it to share my public journal. Of course, I want my followers to continue the conversations that my posts sometimes spark, but the game, THE GAME!!! Ugh.

Is there any space for a more analogue life in this digital world? How does one who thieves off true connection reach and be reached by those other individuals who crave the same thing? Is skepticism of social media and all its ills the new introversion? 

I fear that the only way to gain recognition in the attention-driven economy is to become a talking head with slick 20-second videos and subdued colour backlighting. I just don’t see that in my future.

I do however have some more mental health focused content on the horizon, and some great ways to practice self-care coming up so if that is of interest, keep your eyes peeled. And don’t forget to like and share!