Some people get off on hurting others, it’s awful but true. You’re so right, one never knows if someone is sincere or not, especially online. You’re a talented writer whom I only recently discovered. Do what you must to have peace in your soul. Blessings…
Substack is changing, yet I hope you stay. We need real, loving people like you.
Trolls mean you're getting popular. And it's not about you, it's their stuff. Yes, it's hurts. But here's the thing: you have the power to continue in what is right for you. Leave the platform or delete their words, block them, and/or report them.
Thanks so much! I has to do more with the distraction to social media and search for validation. I did notice a troll about a year ago on a top post I did. I refused to engage
It’s a trend across my community - to step into the real sunlight and leave the device life behind. I’m torn right now about it myself. I’m either monetizing or slowing down and those are two completely different things. Godspeed to you when you make YOUR way. 🙏🍒✌️
Your concerns and mis-givings are very understandable and I feel for you, Jane. Many writers are in similar predicaments and choose to just quit but for those who's desire to be published is strong, like you, they will see 'fruit from their labor' soon. Keep plugging along and let those who are real be your helpers. God bless you.
Thank you for that honest post, Jane. I don’t exactly know why I write on Substack, probably because it allows me to write in English, chat with people from all around the world and discover great writers and human beings. I had great expectations when I started a little more than a year ago, thinking I would earn a little extra money and build a large community of readers but that didn’t happen. That was a little disappointing at first, seeing other thrive and not me, but I didn’t let it become personal and just kept writing, not as often as in the beginning though, when I felt like for what I like is writing. So I just follow my joy of doing so and if people like or relate to what I write, that’s great! If not, I write anyway because that’s my joy and I do that for myself not others. Follow your joy, Jane, and see where it takes you but just remember that the joy lives inside your actions, not their outcomes. Take good care of yourself, you are a beautiful person and a great writer. Lots of love.
Thanks so much Geraldine! I never expected $ at all and I'm happy to see others read my work. That is more than expected. Notes have changed things here and it's so easy to fall into the scroll trap
Jane, it's a tricky one, and I get where you're coming from. If you feel the need to take time off to avoid the distraction while you concentrate on editing your book, or working on something big, I'd say go for it. I'm tempted myself, but I do enjoy interacting here, and reading so much good writing. It has changed, for sure, since I arrived here a year and a half ago, Notes is noisy and distracting.
I still prefer this platform to instagram, and as I've chronically ill and have little interaction with people in real life due to not being able to leave the house, Substack has been great. I've met some lovely people. Sure, it remains the internet, and who knows how people really are. But it's helped me, mentally, and I've definitely grown as a writer.
If you decide to take time off, I really hope you'll come back. Really! Not fakely !!
Thanks so much Cesca! I appreciate it. Notes is a down fall and I shouldn't let it be. Scrolling on any social media is so addictive or can be. This is my favorite platform out of all.. I agree there. I'm so glad you have found community here. So glad we connected here
I hope you just need a break and don’t leave here permanently Jane. You’re one of the people here who make this community such a wonderful place to be 💖🌻
Dear Jane, I'm not here to ask you to stay or encourage you to leave.
I have been harvesting the same thought as you for a while too. Though the reason is totally different from yours. I'm almost getting bored here cos I have an attention span of a 5yo. In fact, I'm still here is kinda surprised to me as well. Lol 🤣
It is just a matter of time for me to leave n it doesn't mean I quit anything, I'm juz going to do something else. Cos there are so much to do in life, especially in the physically world. 👍
I wish you all the best in whatever you do n wherever you are! Be well, my friend! 🙏😊
My inspiration for you is a story about my first employer. Her husband came from a family where not one male for generations lived past the age of 48 due to heart issues. Richard changed his lifestyle, exercised, ate healthy, slept well, retired early from his job. He lived until 82. I hope that is the path ahead for you.
Thanks, Cindy. I look at my grandparents, they lived to be 89, 97, 99 and 100. I had a great grandfather that made it to 102. A few of them lost parents very young. Life isn't guaranteed. I'm not sure what happened to my parents. Life is a crap shoot I guess
I'm sad you feel this way, Jane. You must do what makes you comfortable and happy. There are many awful people everywhere. I block those who have no compassion or empathy. Sending peace and love. 🤍
Vulnerability is what makes good writing. But when we do it and get a troll responding, it’s unnerving. It’s become more like other social media now on here and one needs a very tough skin to survive it. And it’s not just about whether we can but whether we want to. We have to decide on balance if it serves our aims and needs, if the ‘trade’ is worth it. Because it’s a soul trade, it takes something from us each time we give. X
Thanks so much, Julie. I've had trolls, here not many - I usually block and move on. They are everywhere. It's more than that, social media can take over and it can become a validation trap if you know what I mean.
Selfishly, I say, please stay Jane your writing has helped me immensely. And even though I haven’t been on here that long I too have moments where I want to just give up and get on with my life . I understand and I support whatever decision you make and wish you nothing but blessings and good health for the rest of your life
Thanks so much, Kathleen. I truly appreciate your support here. I am thankful to have met you here. I'll stick around for a bit, I'm not sure how long and what my end game plan is here.
You need to prioritize yourself first. If being here isn't good for your mental health, take a break. Write for yourself. Write because that is who you are. I love reading your work, although I don't always get to everything. I love your stalker novel. It seems the troll had a bit of Barney in him. He doesn't know you, yet created a whole story about you. It's easy for me to say he doesn't matter, or you shouldn't let his words cut you so deep. We can't control how we feel, but we can control how we respond. If you are not doing it already, a therapist might be useful to you. Therapy has always helped me, as long as I am seeing the right therapist.
Thanks so much, Janine, I appreciate it. I don't want posting here to take away from my why in writing. I miss those simpler times when it was pen and paper and maybe those closest to me read my work if at all. I'm thankful for the platform here. I never expected to have a place where I can go where I could have many people read my work.
He does sound a bit Barneyesk _ that thought did cross my mind. Lol.
I fully understand you, Jane. I could never be so open as you in your writing. I love that, but I guess it makes vulnerable and some people are like sharks. I really hope you stay (in any way you feel ok with), but I understand if you don’t want to. I would miss you. 🤍
Thanks Wildflower, I feel like I am or have been to vulnerable and I've backed up a little with my writing, but I'm not being true to myself. There have been less sharks here they I expected, but a few come around. I appreciate your kind words
Some people get off on hurting others, it’s awful but true. You’re so right, one never knows if someone is sincere or not, especially online. You’re a talented writer whom I only recently discovered. Do what you must to have peace in your soul. Blessings…
Thanks so much, Jo-Ann. I truly appreciate your words of encouragement
Oh sweetie, you’re welcome
Substack is changing, yet I hope you stay. We need real, loving people like you.
Trolls mean you're getting popular. And it's not about you, it's their stuff. Yes, it's hurts. But here's the thing: you have the power to continue in what is right for you. Leave the platform or delete their words, block them, and/or report them.
Thanks so much! I has to do more with the distraction to social media and search for validation. I did notice a troll about a year ago on a top post I did. I refused to engage
Here's your validation medal🥇
Lol. Thanks!
It’s a trend across my community - to step into the real sunlight and leave the device life behind. I’m torn right now about it myself. I’m either monetizing or slowing down and those are two completely different things. Godspeed to you when you make YOUR way. 🙏🍒✌️
Thanks so much, Cori! Our devices can take over if we let them. I've been wanting to do this for a few months now.
This breaks my heart to read this, but I get it 😢. It’s becoming a daily occurrence to read a post like this.
Just know I appreciate what you’ve done here and know that you have accomplished a lot.
Chin up and smile. You’re a good person…don’t think anything less. You do have lots to be grateful for in life - believe it !
Thanks so much, Ken. That means a lot. I do have so much to be thankful for and Substack has been one of them
Your concerns and mis-givings are very understandable and I feel for you, Jane. Many writers are in similar predicaments and choose to just quit but for those who's desire to be published is strong, like you, they will see 'fruit from their labor' soon. Keep plugging along and let those who are real be your helpers. God bless you.
Thanks, Jeffery
You are very welcome
Thank you for that honest post, Jane. I don’t exactly know why I write on Substack, probably because it allows me to write in English, chat with people from all around the world and discover great writers and human beings. I had great expectations when I started a little more than a year ago, thinking I would earn a little extra money and build a large community of readers but that didn’t happen. That was a little disappointing at first, seeing other thrive and not me, but I didn’t let it become personal and just kept writing, not as often as in the beginning though, when I felt like for what I like is writing. So I just follow my joy of doing so and if people like or relate to what I write, that’s great! If not, I write anyway because that’s my joy and I do that for myself not others. Follow your joy, Jane, and see where it takes you but just remember that the joy lives inside your actions, not their outcomes. Take good care of yourself, you are a beautiful person and a great writer. Lots of love.
Thanks so much Geraldine! I never expected $ at all and I'm happy to see others read my work. That is more than expected. Notes have changed things here and it's so easy to fall into the scroll trap
Jane, it's a tricky one, and I get where you're coming from. If you feel the need to take time off to avoid the distraction while you concentrate on editing your book, or working on something big, I'd say go for it. I'm tempted myself, but I do enjoy interacting here, and reading so much good writing. It has changed, for sure, since I arrived here a year and a half ago, Notes is noisy and distracting.
I still prefer this platform to instagram, and as I've chronically ill and have little interaction with people in real life due to not being able to leave the house, Substack has been great. I've met some lovely people. Sure, it remains the internet, and who knows how people really are. But it's helped me, mentally, and I've definitely grown as a writer.
If you decide to take time off, I really hope you'll come back. Really! Not fakely !!
Love,
Cesca xx
Thanks so much Cesca! I appreciate it. Notes is a down fall and I shouldn't let it be. Scrolling on any social media is so addictive or can be. This is my favorite platform out of all.. I agree there. I'm so glad you have found community here. So glad we connected here
I hope you just need a break and don’t leave here permanently Jane. You’re one of the people here who make this community such a wonderful place to be 💖🌻
Thanks, Darcy. I appreciate you being here as well. I will be here a little longer for now, but not as often
Dear Jane, I'm not here to ask you to stay or encourage you to leave.
I have been harvesting the same thought as you for a while too. Though the reason is totally different from yours. I'm almost getting bored here cos I have an attention span of a 5yo. In fact, I'm still here is kinda surprised to me as well. Lol 🤣
It is just a matter of time for me to leave n it doesn't mean I quit anything, I'm juz going to do something else. Cos there are so much to do in life, especially in the physically world. 👍
I wish you all the best in whatever you do n wherever you are! Be well, my friend! 🙏😊
Thanks so much! It is about the physical world. I am still writing and always will. I appreciate you stopping by. I always enjoy your writing
🙏😊
My inspiration for you is a story about my first employer. Her husband came from a family where not one male for generations lived past the age of 48 due to heart issues. Richard changed his lifestyle, exercised, ate healthy, slept well, retired early from his job. He lived until 82. I hope that is the path ahead for you.
Thanks, Cindy. I look at my grandparents, they lived to be 89, 97, 99 and 100. I had a great grandfather that made it to 102. A few of them lost parents very young. Life isn't guaranteed. I'm not sure what happened to my parents. Life is a crap shoot I guess
I'm sad you feel this way, Jane. You must do what makes you comfortable and happy. There are many awful people everywhere. I block those who have no compassion or empathy. Sending peace and love. 🤍
Thanks, Rea. I appreciate it
Feel free to DM Jane if you want to chat. Just come here once a day. It will shrink away. But you’ll still have it as an outlet. I feel you.
Thanks so much, Holly
Vulnerability is what makes good writing. But when we do it and get a troll responding, it’s unnerving. It’s become more like other social media now on here and one needs a very tough skin to survive it. And it’s not just about whether we can but whether we want to. We have to decide on balance if it serves our aims and needs, if the ‘trade’ is worth it. Because it’s a soul trade, it takes something from us each time we give. X
Thanks so much, Julie. I've had trolls, here not many - I usually block and move on. They are everywhere. It's more than that, social media can take over and it can become a validation trap if you know what I mean.
Selfishly, I say, please stay Jane your writing has helped me immensely. And even though I haven’t been on here that long I too have moments where I want to just give up and get on with my life . I understand and I support whatever decision you make and wish you nothing but blessings and good health for the rest of your life
Thanks so much, Kathleen. I truly appreciate your support here. I am thankful to have met you here. I'll stick around for a bit, I'm not sure how long and what my end game plan is here.
You need to prioritize yourself first. If being here isn't good for your mental health, take a break. Write for yourself. Write because that is who you are. I love reading your work, although I don't always get to everything. I love your stalker novel. It seems the troll had a bit of Barney in him. He doesn't know you, yet created a whole story about you. It's easy for me to say he doesn't matter, or you shouldn't let his words cut you so deep. We can't control how we feel, but we can control how we respond. If you are not doing it already, a therapist might be useful to you. Therapy has always helped me, as long as I am seeing the right therapist.
Sending love and hugs.
Thanks so much, Janine, I appreciate it. I don't want posting here to take away from my why in writing. I miss those simpler times when it was pen and paper and maybe those closest to me read my work if at all. I'm thankful for the platform here. I never expected to have a place where I can go where I could have many people read my work.
He does sound a bit Barneyesk _ that thought did cross my mind. Lol.
I fully understand you, Jane. I could never be so open as you in your writing. I love that, but I guess it makes vulnerable and some people are like sharks. I really hope you stay (in any way you feel ok with), but I understand if you don’t want to. I would miss you. 🤍
Thanks Wildflower, I feel like I am or have been to vulnerable and I've backed up a little with my writing, but I'm not being true to myself. There have been less sharks here they I expected, but a few come around. I appreciate your kind words