Why I said goodbye to Substack

I went to write, but I left.

“When writing the story of your life don't let anyone hold the pen.” Rebel Thriver

Hello Readers

Before I jump in and talk about my reason for leaving Substack last month, I wanted to share one of the exciting reasons I've been a little quiet posting and participating in your discussions these past few weeks.

I have signed up to a new adventure, where I'll be taking my paper voice onto the stage.

I'm participating in the 'Eyestorm Women Live' speaker event run by Mi Elfverson FRSA of The Vlog Academy.

The event takes place on 23rd November 2024 between 11 am and 4 pm at

• King Alfred Ballroom Brighton & Hove, Kings Road, Hove, BN3 2WW

I will take my stories, my learning and teachings off the page onto a stage to inspire and help you. But I won't be alone, women of all ages from all walks of life are stepping forward to to speak up.

Right now my nerves are around a 6 out of 10. But I know I'm in good hands and this journey is one I have wanted to take for many years.

I hope I will see or meet you here. You can purchase your tickets here: The 'Eyestorm Women Live' speaker event.

Meanwhile let me get back on topic, 'Why I said goodbye to Substack'

Working authentically

I jumped onto Substack in April 2023, as I believed it was going to be a wonderful platform for me as an author, a creative writing coach and a podcaster to grow and connect.

I have been on an adventure for 7 years following redundancy. It began with me authoring 2 books, In Search of the Christmas Spirit and Plain Janey and co-authoring The History of ME/CFS and the evolution and the role of the CMRC (A Patients Perspective) with Opal Webster-Philp of The ME/CFS Alliance.

During that period, I also qualified as a Life Coach - Creative Writing Coach, after watching the impact redundancy had on two workforces.

My adventure into the new normal, continued with a trip to Australia. From that trip I created a whole podcast, 'Right Time Write Now', full of stories, chats and writing exercises.

I announced them on Substack, invested time in my blogs and newsletters. I found so much joy in recording and sharing this.

I love to write, to share and to inspire.

Writing truly is my joy until it becomes a chore.

Hours and hours of work go into a 10 minute compacted narrative. It is worth every second of that effort if you are appealing to an audience which connects with your words or narrative.

I have had to face the truth that showing up to push content on Substack was choking my creativity.

As a naturally optimistic person, I believed if I write it, if I show up regularly with content, if I stayed just another day, they would come, this community which I had heard of.

But the 'trying' has been all consuming leaving little time to think about progressing my creative dreams, investing in my next novel or workshop.

As an introvert and a highly sensitive person, I promised that I would grow, show-up, teach, coach the way it feels comfortable. I went past comfortable, hoping tomorrow will bring that turnaround and then it became a trudge.

Doing it differently

I like that I know how to honour the person I am, and understand how to connect with that which serves me well.

I was excited to serialise my novel, Plain Janey on Substack, but the stats aren’t favourable.

Nobody wants to pay for my work and my reach is small. Imagine turning up for work every day, going home 9-10 hours later, without a salary?

Before you think my ego is dented, while I am saddened, I love this book, immensely, the story I wrote, the hours, and days, weeks and months I sat with it, crafted it. I love the dysfunctional characters grown from my imagination that come alive on the pages in twisted plots.

Luckily, I am at beautiful stage of my life where I am proud of my achievements, of everything that I have achieved to get me to this point in my life.

I cannot see what value I am adding in the pool of talent on Substack, and I’ve been on it for 1.5 years creating content, believing in it.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”?-?Thomas A. Edison

I am grateful for my Substack subscribers. Some of you were imported. Some of you are friends and family who have stayed the distance. I thank you all for your loyalty. Some of you found me through different media and it’s lovely to see that. I am truly happy that my content has resonated, inspired or entertained you. I do have a few spurious email addresses. I think the bots found me, too.

I jumped onto Substack with excitement and optimism (always) that a community exists, where I can learn, read and share many years of experience which I’ve crafted and honed.

A platform where I can churn out bitesize wisdom, share my books, as an author. I had even stripped back my podcasts to share, but it hasn't worked for me. I get more support from sharing here, on LinkedIn.

Making the right decision

Before I ever opt out, I always research. I think about what I might do better. I signed up to a newsletter, scrolled YouTube, each told me how to grow my subscribers, make connections. They told me how to do what I was already working on.

Fortunately, I don't much like the game of liking a someones post, to be liked back.

I am looking for authentic connections, I'm excited by content that fills me up, educates or brings me joy and new perspectives.

As a last attempt, I asked the Substack community for help. I laid it out and sat with my vulnerability after posting my note.

Tumble weed rolled across the screen, not a single response.

And that was all I needed as verification for how far my reach was. I was invisible on Substack.

“Note that acceptance is different from approval. Acceptance is simply saying, “It is so.” ―?MARGIE WARRELL

That is really insightful feedback and also validation that I'm making the right move for me and my professional and personal growth.

I sat myself down and asked myself, “What do you want?”. Well, I want to write books. And, as a creative writing coach, I want to help you begin or continue a chapter in your life through narrative. I want to help you write your book, whatever that looks like. That’s what brings me joy.

My experience of Substack hasn’t put me off; it’s just another chapter in my life story, closed. Forever? Who knows?

I am consolidating and decluttering. I am choosing to do what works for me and be where I am of value.

I'm not afraid to leave or feel vulnerable. I don't fit in everywhere. Who does?

I feel lighter. I can see Substack is a place for growth for many and there is some good content to be found. I have read it.

If you're ready to write your new chapter, leave something behind or walk towards a new adventure. Book a 15 minute consultation and see if we fit.

Simply pop over here:

Whatever you do, I hope you find great joy in it.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

Rabindranath Tagore