I love that you wrote this, and the responses to the other one have helped me find more Australians, who have been missing for me, as we are now being swamped by the US trauma-filled news the algorithm appears to promote. I have been missing the connections recently too and I have been thinking that maybe my time would be better spent in the garden than making the effort of growing my Substack. Your posts and the comments to follow have changed my mind today. When I started here it was so peaceful, loving and kind and in the beginning all I could see was epic writing or even just lovely people giving it a crack. So many women in full bloom. I think I will delete a lot of the US-led trauma-soaked subscriptions for a while and hang out with more women like you!
Oh lovely, yes it is pretty overwhelming and I feel so sad for my fellow Americans. I want to know about what's going on at the same time as protecting my wellbeing and finding hope locally. Global despair. Local hope. We are all in this together, the good, the bad and downright ugly. Writing and gardening in equal measures for me, both of them are so healing. Sending hugs.
Oh, I love the idea of Substack being tended like a garden! And what you wrote about the blooms... "And the blooms? They’re the connections. *The unexpected resonance.* The fellow writers and readers who feel like they were always meant to be in your orbit." I found you through your recent note about feeling stagnant (relatable) and am grateful to connect here! thanks for sharing your words ♡
Lovely! Stagnant at times like the winter, then tilling the soil in spring and planting beautiful stories for summer blooming. I often have people come back to me years after they have read one of my blogs or books saying that it made an impact. We never know if, or how, we change lives through our writing. ✍️
I love a good metaphor. Thank you for this and no you aren’t alone. I’m on the traction path too but also reminding myself to stay authentic and remember why I came here in the first place. Plus I do love gardening!
And I love the title of your blog - Brave Women Write. Because it does require a modicum of bravery to write as a woman and put your thoughts & heartfelt words out there.
Definitely subscribing 🫶🏼
I’ve been here eighteen months & still have below 100 subscribers, but I’m starting to learn that Substack is indeed a garden - great analogy 🌳 it’s not like Insta or FB and for that I’m thankful - weird lonely single guys and all 🙄 but it takes a while to re-learn how to interact here.
Yes it does require bravery to write words that matter, that are genuine and vulnerable and courageous. For me it's a process of engaging authentically and growing thoughtfully while doing it all gently. One seed at a time... 🌱
I had to remind myself of this very recently and finding this piece of writing feels like cosmic timing, reminding me that my self-doubt and worry is a normal part of building something special to me. Thank you for the words that express my inner thoughts so succinctly xxx
a fellow Australian writing from Adelaide. ive been here for under two weeks and have about 35 subscribers- the majority coming from people i know already on other platforms - i dont like the monetization model so maybe im in the wrong place but i have had some lovely conversations with newly found friends
i am all in for an “Antipodean Garden” - how do we start it? i know so little about this platform yet.
. i also love the concept that there was a 'second creation' in the antipodes- an opportunity to have more fun with kooky hybrid creatures and amazing flora- and really importantly i love having perspective that is outside of the centre !
Love Radelaide! My home town. I too am a bit unsure of the monetisation model. Just gonna write and connect and see where it takes me. Feels like a nicer home to be in than the other social media platforms and a great place for creatives to write with courage and hope.
yes I'm transitioning out of the false security of facebook and instagram with lots of followers, to bluesky and substack to both get away from Meta"s tentacles and to have more connected connections :) - i'm serious about starting something called "Creation 2.0" just letting it bubble along till the concept is fully formed !
No need to monetise, ladies. Substack works just fine if you don't, and probably better not to have the pressure until you hit your stride anyway. Lots of folks here intentionally don't monetise and they grow and have deep engagement, just the same.
A beautiful reflection, and how lovely it is to have met you here and to be seeing you in a couple of weeks! I love the idea of Substack being a garden, and a place of care.
I love that you wrote this, and the responses to the other one have helped me find more Australians, who have been missing for me, as we are now being swamped by the US trauma-filled news the algorithm appears to promote. I have been missing the connections recently too and I have been thinking that maybe my time would be better spent in the garden than making the effort of growing my Substack. Your posts and the comments to follow have changed my mind today. When I started here it was so peaceful, loving and kind and in the beginning all I could see was epic writing or even just lovely people giving it a crack. So many women in full bloom. I think I will delete a lot of the US-led trauma-soaked subscriptions for a while and hang out with more women like you!
Oh lovely, yes it is pretty overwhelming and I feel so sad for my fellow Americans. I want to know about what's going on at the same time as protecting my wellbeing and finding hope locally. Global despair. Local hope. We are all in this together, the good, the bad and downright ugly. Writing and gardening in equal measures for me, both of them are so healing. Sending hugs.
Beautifully said, Caroline. 🧡
Oh, I love the idea of Substack being tended like a garden! And what you wrote about the blooms... "And the blooms? They’re the connections. *The unexpected resonance.* The fellow writers and readers who feel like they were always meant to be in your orbit." I found you through your recent note about feeling stagnant (relatable) and am grateful to connect here! thanks for sharing your words ♡
Lovely! Stagnant at times like the winter, then tilling the soil in spring and planting beautiful stories for summer blooming. I often have people come back to me years after they have read one of my blogs or books saying that it made an impact. We never know if, or how, we change lives through our writing. ✍️
An encouraging thought, indeed! 💚
I love a good metaphor. Thank you for this and no you aren’t alone. I’m on the traction path too but also reminding myself to stay authentic and remember why I came here in the first place. Plus I do love gardening!
Yes every time I put my hands in the soil, I get inspo for my writing.
Me too. Last year I led a 10-morning journal writing workshop using the gardening theme and just loved it. Enjoying your writing Carolyn. 🤸🏾♀️
Ooh I love that idea. I do sit spots in nature and journal on my observations too. 🦅 🍁 🌳
I love THAT idea! 🌷✨🌱
I love this!
And I love the title of your blog - Brave Women Write. Because it does require a modicum of bravery to write as a woman and put your thoughts & heartfelt words out there.
Definitely subscribing 🫶🏼
I’ve been here eighteen months & still have below 100 subscribers, but I’m starting to learn that Substack is indeed a garden - great analogy 🌳 it’s not like Insta or FB and for that I’m thankful - weird lonely single guys and all 🙄 but it takes a while to re-learn how to interact here.
Thanks so much for this post 🌻
Yes it does require bravery to write words that matter, that are genuine and vulnerable and courageous. For me it's a process of engaging authentically and growing thoughtfully while doing it all gently. One seed at a time... 🌱
I had to remind myself of this very recently and finding this piece of writing feels like cosmic timing, reminding me that my self-doubt and worry is a normal part of building something special to me. Thank you for the words that express my inner thoughts so succinctly xxx
So happy that it resonated for you. Planting a Substack garden one word, one seed at a time is such a joy. 😃 🪴
beautifully said Carolyn. thanks for writing and sharing!!
Thanks Jules. Loved that you loved it. Substacking and gardening are the perfect combo. 🤗 🪴
And enjoy your big hike!
Thank you! It was incredible. Mother Gaia is a powerful reminder to keep positive and keep protecting the sacred. 🌍 🌱
Substack as a garden, I love this. Thank you for sharing so honestly with us.
a fellow Australian writing from Adelaide. ive been here for under two weeks and have about 35 subscribers- the majority coming from people i know already on other platforms - i dont like the monetization model so maybe im in the wrong place but i have had some lovely conversations with newly found friends
i am all in for an “Antipodean Garden” - how do we start it? i know so little about this platform yet.
. i also love the concept that there was a 'second creation' in the antipodes- an opportunity to have more fun with kooky hybrid creatures and amazing flora- and really importantly i love having perspective that is outside of the centre !
Love Radelaide! My home town. I too am a bit unsure of the monetisation model. Just gonna write and connect and see where it takes me. Feels like a nicer home to be in than the other social media platforms and a great place for creatives to write with courage and hope.
yes I'm transitioning out of the false security of facebook and instagram with lots of followers, to bluesky and substack to both get away from Meta"s tentacles and to have more connected connections :) - i'm serious about starting something called "Creation 2.0" just letting it bubble along till the concept is fully formed !
No need to monetise, ladies. Substack works just fine if you don't, and probably better not to have the pressure until you hit your stride anyway. Lots of folks here intentionally don't monetise and they grow and have deep engagement, just the same.
I love the garden analogy.
Why thank you! Soil fills my soul. 🌱
A beautiful reflection, and how lovely it is to have met you here and to be seeing you in a couple of weeks! I love the idea of Substack being a garden, and a place of care.
And yes see you in about two weeks! Only thing better than writing is hanging out with other writers ✍️ 😃 💃
Yep a place of tender care 🌹
Good effort 👏 Think big. Start small. 🥰 ✍️