Rambling about writing and consistency
Does everything have to be about making money?
Recently, I have developed an unhealthy relationship with my phone. I pick it up every five minutes without thinking. I hold my phone in my hand almost all the time, and when watching something on TV, I mindlessly scroll through the feeds of various social media platforms. I also take my phone for walks, listening to either music or a podcast. With this habit, I create constant noise in my head. For a while, I believed it was because I needed a distraction from the sadness I carry due to my dad’s condition and the fear of losing him soon. But then yesterday, I caught myself on the sofa, watching reel after reel of funny pets, kids, memes, and pranks. Sure, they made me laugh, but after wasting an hour of my time, I asked myself: what the hell am I doing? I could be doing something more mindful and productive, like taking care of our garden, which was neglected for the past week while I was away, or making a personalised present for my friend’s wedding. Instead, there I was, giving my attention and energy to things that do not matter. They are also not helpful because, without even realising it, I ended this mindless scrolling hour feeling down, like a lazy failure. Thinking about all these people who do create something useful online, while I just sit here consuming what social media feeds me.
Imagine how many different messages your brain has to process within just one hour of scrolling. How many unconscious beliefs are formed and stored in your memory during this time. Although my original plan for Saturday morning was to write, I eventually felt like I was not good enough and decided to do everything else around the house but write.
This feeling of inadequacy doesn’t just affect how I feel about myself because of how I spend my time glued to my phone. It also affects how I see my partner and my life in general. It is so easy to fall into this trap of comparing ourselves with others, thinking there’s something more and better just one click away. We are fooled by the idea that everything is just so easy. Just make a bunch of videos and make a lot of money. If they can do it, I can do it too. Why can’t we JUST DO IT!?
It’s easy to blame social media for this fear of putting in the work to be a creator, not just a consumer. There’s so much we could do it’s becoming overwhelming. And those people who tell you how they got rich within a year using some secret formula you have to invest in, otherwise you’ll be a loser? Those are the ones who drain my energy and put me off. They do not inspire me. They make me feel even more like I want to stay in hiding, worrying I will become one of them if I follow their advice.
I was looking for inspiration on how to be a writer on Substack and eventually monetise my efforts. I came across a few accounts that do it in a gentle, digestible, not overwhelming way. They do not make it all about making money; they present it as a fulfilling lifestyle that serves your purpose. For example, I have been following Marie Vandoorne for a while. She shares her honest, unfiltered journey of becoming a full-time writer on Substack. Her recent newsletter really hit the nail on the head. She openly and vulnerably showed us her growth and how some of the tactics she’s been applying just didn’t work. I loved how raw and authentic it was. No sugar coating. When I looked at the numbers from her spreadsheet, I was amazed by the growth she has achieved since the beginning of this year. I found this inspiring.
It is content like hers that makes me want to keep going, believing that consistency and authenticity pay off. I do not want to be the kind of writer whose every piece of content is about how to make money and how you are a loser if you don’t do it their way yet. I know this might sound like a rant, but honestly, I feel that every time I put pressure on myself to ‘make money out of it,’ it takes the joy away. I would rather approach it with the mindset that I share my stories and insights to inspire others, and making money is a positive side effect. It is my responsibility to use my talents, put my ego aside, and with consistency, create something of value for others.
I do feel like I am rambling a bit here, but hear me out.
I believe the best progress is made when we listen to ourselves—when we follow our hearts and what they tell us. I love how Kelly Klein used the term ‘heartfulness’. I mean, wow. I have been blown away by this term ever since! While everyone is talking about mindfulness and it has become a buzzword, for me, heartfulness makes more sense.
Anything that comes from your heart makes more sense.
I mean sure, follow your heart but take your brain with you so you don’t end up in a toxic love situation (been there, done that). What I am trying to say is that it is your heart that will lead the way. It is your heart that will remind you of your values. It is your heart that will guide you towards what’s right for you. The answers are within you. The peace you crave is within your heart. Sometimes you just need to slow down, shut down all the distractions from the outside, stop listening to anyone’s advice, and just tune into your heart.
This morning, I went for a walk without my phone. No music, no podcasts. Just me and the flow of undistracted thoughts. At first, I noticed all the noise and chaos in my head. Like the lyrics from Elton John’s song, ‘I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind…’. Why was it there?! But when I came home, I felt peace. After doing my usual stretches, still without any music or words coming through my earphones, I made myself a coffee and sat down to write this article. It might be a bit messy and lack the typical structure of ‘how to...’ and it will not have a hook of how to become better, richer, smarter… But it brought me back to why I wanted to write in the first place.
Writing brings me a sense of purpose and helps me feel inner peace. With my writing, I do hope to inspire you. Maybe something in my stories will resonate with you, and you’ll say, ‘I have similar experiences/thoughts. I am glad I am not alone in my thinking.’ Making money from my writing is my goal, but not my main focus. It just cannot be, and I understand that better now. I had to unsubscribe from every email that had subject lines like ‘this person made 100k from their writing in less than…’
I believe that if you are consistent in everything, monetisation will come as a natural outcome. And it is consistency that I need to work on. That is the hardest part. I keep telling this to the people I coach, and yet I don’t always take my own advice. However, my heart keeps on calling me when I don’t write, so I may as well keep it satisfied. Otherwise, it starts to manifest its existence through low energy, self-doubt, and criticism towards my partner. And that is what I do not want.
If you got this far, thank you for reading and sticking in. I am accepting now that not every article must be a masterpiece but each comes right from my heart, and that is what I find the most important.