28 Comments

Thank you for writing this! And each of these are motivational as it relates to us as people rather than just focusing on something like the algorithm.

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Thank you so much for this Annie! I need to read this regularly to maybe actually have the courage to show up on here like I’ve been wanting to for months!

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You are so welcome. In the writers' workshop I ran yesterday (replay is here: https://annieridout.substack.com/p/writers-workshop-replay) we spoke quite a lot about Substack and facing fear/moving through blocks. I'm thinking of running another just about Substack/social media so will keep you updated x

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Agree. Agree. Hard agree! Especially about fear of failure blocking creativity. We all just need to get out of own heads sometimes 💙

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I love that, Annie. Thank you! Really needed it this morning after not getting too much engagement :)

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Thanks for this Annie! I find most of these points applicable to sharing my art on Instagram too ❤️

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oh good! I’m so pleased it reaches beyond Substack x

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This encouraged me and gave me buzzes of positivity. The clarity about what stalls my creativity plus the reassurance that my flexible and varied approach to freelancing (Substack writing and podcasting instead of marketing-only email, providing services online, and my digital products) gives me all the direction that I've been wanting.

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Excellent manifesto!

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Yay! I can't tell you how much I love this list. I feel like printing it out and sticking it above my desk.

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Ahh, thank you x

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What a thought - tempted to do the same!

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The point about writing poems on motherhood and selling marketing packages is a stand out. In other words, we’re all more than one thing. Thank god.

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I think that so often, we are told we need to be really niche and what this means is that we don’t always end up doing the work that we love as well as the work that pays. They’re not always the same thing. But actually, everything can link together with you as the centre piece X

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Totally!

One of my favourite people is a corner office banker by profession. But that’s the least interesting thing about him. He’s a certified yoga instructor, long distance cyclist, gifted painter and budding vegetable farmer. I’m continually amazed and inspired by his multi faceted passions!

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This is really good

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🥳

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I love the message in this post!

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thank you x

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Yeas!! 🙌🏻🩷

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thank you for this. Needed it because I'm in my head that I am too multi passionate and I can't "niche down" enough to make myself successful. It's silly and keeping me frozen

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Love this list! Lots of beautiful things to think about and remember. I love how you had 'free writing grows your readership,' right next to, 'paywalls help you earn more money.' haha. such a delicate balance! One I'm currently navigating.

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Yasss, yasss, yasssss!!! Here's to not fitting into any boxes and coloring way outside the lines. ✨️👏💕

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Superb list, Annie. Thank you!

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