I feel validation reading this post because I've skipped one of my newsletters for a couple of weeks now. Not on purpose, just because of life. I always silently shame myself for it but i need to stop and breathe and give myself room.
The silent shaming thing is so dangerous. I totally hear you. I've been there. Happy to be your permission slip to give yourself some room to breathe. (And some grace) 🤗
I think about this often, but rarely act on it. Even though I 100% believe what you’ve said here, I have a hard time pumping the brakes. I really need to think about it more. Might be time to try a pause or at least consider a slower cadence.
It's definitely time to pause if you're feeling lethargic. If not, no problem, but if your energy is dwindling, consider taking a breath.
Case in point - it's taken me a full day to respond to these comments. Stuff's happening, and I need to work out, eat, and stay off my phone for a minute. You get the picture. Stay strong! 💪
Hey Beverley - I'm just seeing your comment now...finally gave myself a minute to slow down:) I feel like this is a time we all need to slow down. Are you going to change your expectations of yourself for the summer?
It's funny how we are always on the same wavelength. I've been in this "life doing" mode the last few weeks--everything from home improvement projects to travel planning to enjoying time with out of town guests staying with us to necessary upgrades (website, services, marketing pieces). I feel the silent shame then remember I'm the boss!
Hey there! Can you believe I'm seeing this comment almost a month later! Yikes! I just saw your post about the rented Jeep. So fun. I'm in SF right now, juggling the social stuff with work and newsletter creation. I have to constantly remind myself I'm the boss. Let's stay on the same wavelength and keep motivating each other through the summer! Only good things will come of that...what do you think?
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
Jen, This lead in is a copy and paste of your P.S. with a comment or two to follow.
"P.S. Have you deliberately slowed your newsletter pace or taken a break while working on something bigger? Did it affect how you felt about your writing? Drop a comment below—I'm genuinely curious." Yes, yes and yes but probably not something bigger, more slower as in much better, I hope. And those phrases are not redundant in my world. Please keep me on your list for the next gathering. I feel a tad guilty for not keeping in touch with some people. You are not one of them.
Thanks for keeping in touch with me! I love hearing from you. I'll keep you posted about the next Substack Live, it'll be towards the end of July. How's your writing going?
This was a great reminder for me, Im here to share from my heart, not churn and burn a piece of writing just because I feel I have to, to keep up. I also needed to hear this, as I'm in the last round of edits on my YA novel and I so desperately need to put my full attention on it to get over the finish line. I joined substack a month ago and as much as I've enjoyed the connecting and community, I feel it's taken some of that attention away but again it hasn't been a bad thing. Now I just need a little balance ⚖️ Thanks again!
Oh, Adele, that's exactly what I'm talking about!! I know it's hard when you're in those final rounds of book editing because sometimes that takes everything you have. Give yourself a little space, and I'd say self-care over newsletter at this stage. But when you can relax your shoulders a bit, get into a newsletter groove, and share what that final push was like. You could just talk into your phone right now and make voice memos about it. (easy to do on a walk) and then have them transcribed later and turn them into newsletters....🤔 Just a thought.
I don’t suppose this counts as I don’t do a newsletter anymore. My art posts normally have a quote or I just really tell about my life. You see I have MS. My readers and such know I wouldn’t be an artist without it.
I find that when I am really honest, when I just tell what is going on with me, I get the greatest responses. And yes something sells.
I could use this more but I just can’t or won’t. I am now trying to make a bridge to ….some where. And I am now told that someone won’t promote my photography because this isn’t what I am known for and my website isn’t up to date.
Sigh.
Alas I can’t always read lengthy newsletters any more. I need them read or in a different font. Such is life.
I have been MIA for several weeks because of travel-planning, connecting, and traveling. Now that I am back and have so much to write about, I will be more intentional and directed. I hope for the better.
I feel validation reading this post because I've skipped one of my newsletters for a couple of weeks now. Not on purpose, just because of life. I always silently shame myself for it but i need to stop and breathe and give myself room.
The silent shaming thing is so dangerous. I totally hear you. I've been there. Happy to be your permission slip to give yourself some room to breathe. (And some grace) 🤗
I think about this often, but rarely act on it. Even though I 100% believe what you’ve said here, I have a hard time pumping the brakes. I really need to think about it more. Might be time to try a pause or at least consider a slower cadence.
It's definitely time to pause if you're feeling lethargic. If not, no problem, but if your energy is dwindling, consider taking a breath.
Case in point - it's taken me a full day to respond to these comments. Stuff's happening, and I need to work out, eat, and stay off my phone for a minute. You get the picture. Stay strong! 💪
Love this!
This resonates: What if we thought of our newsletters more like conversations that ebb and flow?
So glad it resonated
🙏✨
I love this thought Lauren ❤️
Thanks for this gem Jen. It’s so easy to get trapped in the cycle of expectations of our own making
Hey Beverley - I'm just seeing your comment now...finally gave myself a minute to slow down:) I feel like this is a time we all need to slow down. Are you going to change your expectations of yourself for the summer?
Yes, in the words of @Lauren “ebb and flow”
It's funny how we are always on the same wavelength. I've been in this "life doing" mode the last few weeks--everything from home improvement projects to travel planning to enjoying time with out of town guests staying with us to necessary upgrades (website, services, marketing pieces). I feel the silent shame then remember I'm the boss!
Hey there! Can you believe I'm seeing this comment almost a month later! Yikes! I just saw your post about the rented Jeep. So fun. I'm in SF right now, juggling the social stuff with work and newsletter creation. I have to constantly remind myself I'm the boss. Let's stay on the same wavelength and keep motivating each other through the summer! Only good things will come of that...what do you think?
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
Thanks Harrison.
Jen, This lead in is a copy and paste of your P.S. with a comment or two to follow.
"P.S. Have you deliberately slowed your newsletter pace or taken a break while working on something bigger? Did it affect how you felt about your writing? Drop a comment below—I'm genuinely curious." Yes, yes and yes but probably not something bigger, more slower as in much better, I hope. And those phrases are not redundant in my world. Please keep me on your list for the next gathering. I feel a tad guilty for not keeping in touch with some people. You are not one of them.
Hey Gary,
Thanks for keeping in touch with me! I love hearing from you. I'll keep you posted about the next Substack Live, it'll be towards the end of July. How's your writing going?
This was a great reminder for me, Im here to share from my heart, not churn and burn a piece of writing just because I feel I have to, to keep up. I also needed to hear this, as I'm in the last round of edits on my YA novel and I so desperately need to put my full attention on it to get over the finish line. I joined substack a month ago and as much as I've enjoyed the connecting and community, I feel it's taken some of that attention away but again it hasn't been a bad thing. Now I just need a little balance ⚖️ Thanks again!
Oh, Adele, that's exactly what I'm talking about!! I know it's hard when you're in those final rounds of book editing because sometimes that takes everything you have. Give yourself a little space, and I'd say self-care over newsletter at this stage. But when you can relax your shoulders a bit, get into a newsletter groove, and share what that final push was like. You could just talk into your phone right now and make voice memos about it. (easy to do on a walk) and then have them transcribed later and turn them into newsletters....🤔 Just a thought.
This is such a fab idea, and so needed 🙏 thanks Jen 💓
Good luck with your writing!!
Thanks Jeanine!
Thank you for this. It's much needed encouragement.
I'm so glad Shell. 🎉
Love this Jen - such a good reminder
Thanks Katie! 🎉
I don’t suppose this counts as I don’t do a newsletter anymore. My art posts normally have a quote or I just really tell about my life. You see I have MS. My readers and such know I wouldn’t be an artist without it.
I find that when I am really honest, when I just tell what is going on with me, I get the greatest responses. And yes something sells.
I could use this more but I just can’t or won’t. I am now trying to make a bridge to ….some where. And I am now told that someone won’t promote my photography because this isn’t what I am known for and my website isn’t up to date.
Sigh.
Alas I can’t always read lengthy newsletters any more. I need them read or in a different font. Such is life.
I have been MIA for several weeks because of travel-planning, connecting, and traveling. Now that I am back and have so much to write about, I will be more intentional and directed. I hope for the better.