So much of this resonates with me. I started Substack to nurture my love of writing, but this app is the new Instagram. I feel pressure to post constant commentary and notes throughout the day, but I’d prefer to reserve my energy for meaningful letters. And much like you, it takes me ages to put a post together because, as a committed Type A, I draft and redraft endlessly. This post was perfect as is, and you’ve inspired me. And undone is always executed impeccably by the French. 👌🏽
Neelam, it is such a relief to know I’m not alone. I’m not naive and I understand that platforms like this - and all social media- always evolve toward the relentless proliferation of content…but the churn and burn is real. Here’s to a slower pace and to releasing ourselves! Thank you for reading x
Fellow verbal expressionist here 🙋♀️ and very much in the struggle with you to balance the visual demands of the app with my love of writing and working through concepts verbally. This was truly beautiful.
I was thirsty for something but did not know what— and you shared and bared it here. The Intimacy of Sharing, I now have from your depth writing. Both in my own writing life and my clothes-as-expression life. Style wise the algorithm has domesticated “intentionally effortless” into a “look.” I get that now; I have been frustrated with me, of course 🙄, but now am seeing through the misdirection of self doubt. I will explore what “undone and slightly unfinished” means for me in my curation. I will add your invitation to transform my wardrobe as “armor” (SO accurate too often) into “passageway”. Please keep your essays here in the original spirit of this platform— it is why I joined Substack, for thoughtful POV and substance about dressing and it’s many layers to identity and one’s truth. 🙏🏼✨
Malia I am so glad this piece was able to break through in any way at all for you. It did the same for me. I knew I needed to get this out and express the overall feelings I have been having about writing, style and life. Appreciate you reading.
As an avid Substack reader and appreciator, I very much value the POV that comes across so clearly from the long-form writers I follow. It’s a bonus to have photos to visually express the idea, but the words are add meaningful breadth and emphatics. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you keep doing exactly what you’re doing, tenth draft be damned.
Beautifully said! And to you and all the creators, please don’t adjust your instincts to the algorithm! What has soured many of us on the other platforms is the sameness— everyone’s content follows a formula. I love being surprised what my favorites choose to write about (or show). Their unique voices are what drew me to Substack in the first place.
Robin thank you. The beauty of writing and so many writers here is hearing their POV and going deeper into a topic. And doing so in a way that feels easy / not so self-pressurized all the time. It’s all about that balance! Appreciate you reading x
YES. I will always prefer good, interesting, CHALLENGING writing over perfectly polished visuals and a cute caption tbh. Isn’t that how we all wound up here to begin with?
This resonated with me a lot, especially the part about being incapable of letting the first draft just be. I think my background in comms has trained my brain to over-edit absolutely everything (even the shortest email.) I reread pieces endlessly, add another paragraph, another layer, and want to crawl under a rock when I spot a typo after publishing. And I am still my own worst critic and hate my writing most days, while also feeling completely incapable of stopping.
I also really loved the connection between that instinct and this idea of dishabille / the unfinished. There’s something very freeing about the thought that not everything has to be optimized or tied up perfectly to still feel thoughtful, beautiful or complete. One of my favorite pieces of yours in a while, Sogole!
I am so glad to hear this and to know I’m not alone. The self induced pressure is just that- self induced. We all need to take a breath and allow ourselves the grace to slow down and just stop when enough is enough- in writing, style- and life! Xx
One of the reasons I subscribed to your newsletter is your ability to express yourself so well in words. You are very creative and your writing flows beautifully. You are one of the authors I save to read later when I have more time on Sunday mornings so I can truly enjoy it. You are one of my favorite long format reads, and you inspire so many people. I think this is one thing that sets you apart from the rest.
Jaqueline thank you for this incredible comment and for your support. It really means the world to hear this and I am so so glad that any of my work would ever resonate with you. I still have to pinch myself every day when I publish a newsletter and can connect with people in this way. It’s truly why I keep showing up week after week! Thank you ❤️
Bloody hell if this is your first draft… you do not want to see mine 🤣 “incomprehensible” comes to mind.
But I lovee this concept of going with what pours out of you, and at the same time, I see the work that goes into all your other drafts too. How you are inspired by a thesis and weave it throughout the writing, the sentence formulated with care and intention.
Yep the first draft is excellent and the third or fourth too, just in different ways — fabulous.
The amount of times I opened the draft thinking to myself “well maybe just a small change no one will know”!! But the issue was I would know. And it would’ve defeated the entire purpose. Here’s to letting go!!
So much of this resonates with me. I started Substack to nurture my love of writing, but this app is the new Instagram. I feel pressure to post constant commentary and notes throughout the day, but I’d prefer to reserve my energy for meaningful letters. And much like you, it takes me ages to put a post together because, as a committed Type A, I draft and redraft endlessly. This post was perfect as is, and you’ve inspired me. And undone is always executed impeccably by the French. 👌🏽
Neelam, it is such a relief to know I’m not alone. I’m not naive and I understand that platforms like this - and all social media- always evolve toward the relentless proliferation of content…but the churn and burn is real. Here’s to a slower pace and to releasing ourselves! Thank you for reading x
Your first draft reads like someone else’s 10th version!
Natalia that is SO kind. Thank you. And all the encouragement I need to maybe stop at future first drafts.
Fellow verbal expressionist here 🙋♀️ and very much in the struggle with you to balance the visual demands of the app with my love of writing and working through concepts verbally. This was truly beautiful.
Thank you friend. You get it- and me- always xx
I love the concept photos that follow the styled looks. So smart!!
Thank you!
Could not agree more!
I was thirsty for something but did not know what— and you shared and bared it here. The Intimacy of Sharing, I now have from your depth writing. Both in my own writing life and my clothes-as-expression life. Style wise the algorithm has domesticated “intentionally effortless” into a “look.” I get that now; I have been frustrated with me, of course 🙄, but now am seeing through the misdirection of self doubt. I will explore what “undone and slightly unfinished” means for me in my curation. I will add your invitation to transform my wardrobe as “armor” (SO accurate too often) into “passageway”. Please keep your essays here in the original spirit of this platform— it is why I joined Substack, for thoughtful POV and substance about dressing and it’s many layers to identity and one’s truth. 🙏🏼✨
Malia I am so glad this piece was able to break through in any way at all for you. It did the same for me. I knew I needed to get this out and express the overall feelings I have been having about writing, style and life. Appreciate you reading.
As an avid Substack reader and appreciator, I very much value the POV that comes across so clearly from the long-form writers I follow. It’s a bonus to have photos to visually express the idea, but the words are add meaningful breadth and emphatics. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you keep doing exactly what you’re doing, tenth draft be damned.
10th draft be damned is right! Thank you Becca. We all have our stories to tell and I am learning it’s ok to tell it however we want.
Beautifully said! And to you and all the creators, please don’t adjust your instincts to the algorithm! What has soured many of us on the other platforms is the sameness— everyone’s content follows a formula. I love being surprised what my favorites choose to write about (or show). Their unique voices are what drew me to Substack in the first place.
Robin thank you. The beauty of writing and so many writers here is hearing their POV and going deeper into a topic. And doing so in a way that feels easy / not so self-pressurized all the time. It’s all about that balance! Appreciate you reading x
YES. I will always prefer good, interesting, CHALLENGING writing over perfectly polished visuals and a cute caption tbh. Isn’t that how we all wound up here to begin with?
Exactly. We have to find our way back!!
This resonated with me a lot, especially the part about being incapable of letting the first draft just be. I think my background in comms has trained my brain to over-edit absolutely everything (even the shortest email.) I reread pieces endlessly, add another paragraph, another layer, and want to crawl under a rock when I spot a typo after publishing. And I am still my own worst critic and hate my writing most days, while also feeling completely incapable of stopping.
I also really loved the connection between that instinct and this idea of dishabille / the unfinished. There’s something very freeing about the thought that not everything has to be optimized or tied up perfectly to still feel thoughtful, beautiful or complete. One of my favorite pieces of yours in a while, Sogole!
I am so glad to hear this and to know I’m not alone. The self induced pressure is just that- self induced. We all need to take a breath and allow ourselves the grace to slow down and just stop when enough is enough- in writing, style- and life! Xx
this is a very charming and very well-conceived post. my favourite one so far!
That truly means the world to me. Thank you so much!
Louder for the perfectionists (me) “Why does everything always have to be orchestrated, perfected and wrapped up in a neat bow?” 🤍
Every time. It’s exhausting. And yet also weirdly rewarding at times, which is why we keep doing it! Alas…maybe time to loosen the grip a bit.
Thanks for reading Allison x
SO relatable! I’ve noticed this shift too, but I think there’s space for both and most people are here to write 🫶
And even sharing photos is great- it’s just about staying true to who we individually are and what works for us and no one else xx
absolutely!
One of the reasons I subscribed to your newsletter is your ability to express yourself so well in words. You are very creative and your writing flows beautifully. You are one of the authors I save to read later when I have more time on Sunday mornings so I can truly enjoy it. You are one of my favorite long format reads, and you inspire so many people. I think this is one thing that sets you apart from the rest.
Jaqueline thank you for this incredible comment and for your support. It really means the world to hear this and I am so so glad that any of my work would ever resonate with you. I still have to pinch myself every day when I publish a newsletter and can connect with people in this way. It’s truly why I keep showing up week after week! Thank you ❤️
I loved this and thank you for giving those of us not so skilled in the visuals department permission to just hit publish anyways.
ALWAYS. Words matter most xx
Powerful, powerful words my dear friend.
Thank you so much xo
Bloody hell if this is your first draft… you do not want to see mine 🤣 “incomprehensible” comes to mind.
But I lovee this concept of going with what pours out of you, and at the same time, I see the work that goes into all your other drafts too. How you are inspired by a thesis and weave it throughout the writing, the sentence formulated with care and intention.
Yep the first draft is excellent and the third or fourth too, just in different ways — fabulous.
The amount of times I opened the draft thinking to myself “well maybe just a small change no one will know”!! But the issue was I would know. And it would’ve defeated the entire purpose. Here’s to letting go!!
Ps I resisted the urge to edit this comment ;