One of the things that matters to me is feeling able to speak. Sometimes I want to say things that might not be welcome, and I really wrestle with whether I should say them or not.
Also, one thing I'd like to know is how you pronounce your surname. I say it, in my head, like ride-out, and think of your work as kind of striding, reaching out, going beyond the usual boundary, but also like a biker 'ride-out', taking a gang of like-minded people with you for the ride. I was just thinking about this reading your post when I thought maybe you don't say it like that at all! Maybe the emphasis is on the short 'i' - like to rid, get rid of things, a double ridding with 'out' to follow. And that also works too.
Why Am I even asking? I have lost my hearing so I like to check because I never hear new words being spoken. I suppose that's why.
Which do pronunciation do you prefer? Then I can say it right in my head.
I’m interested in hypocrisy. Having that pointed out is never really welcome in the moment, but is sometimes valued later.
Gaining a disability in midlife is another topic I skirt around - mainly because I don’t want to be defined by it - but it informs so much of my thinking.
Motherhood and womanhood - the tricky bits.
Relationships - I write to understand them, but fear the potential impact of my subject reading it.
And then there are the general contradictions that you so beautifully describe in the poem you shared in this post, which echos my perpetual interior monologue and default thinking pattern so perfectly it is breathtaking.
Those kind of things. Are there things you are hesitant to share? X
For me, it's simply inhibition. Sometimes, I think I have a great idea for a post but at the moment of posting I stop, feeling pre-emptive embarrassment, worrying about what the people in my social network I know in real life might think. I think this speaks to the dissonance between where I am, where I want to be and the image I'm portraying online. I have the hardest time bringing all of that together!
I find my ideas pop I'm at awkward times ikea the middle of the night or when I'm driving. I often find myself narrating posts and ideas in my head but then when I have the time to sit and actually write them they've gone or feel awkward! Also really wary of writing a 'negative' post or something that doesn't have some kind of insight or growth to share at the end. Like why would people possibly want to read about my life? And this holds me back from publishing things I have written.
I love reading about your life and I think you strike such a good balance between sharing what is challenging with moments of beauty. I really know what you mean about feeling wary of being negative, though, as I've lately felt I want a good rant and have then wondered whether it might scare people off. But then I saw a woman of an ND child who said: I was going to have a rant but instead, though I'd share things bringing joy - and I thought: I want the rant! It reminded me that hearing other people's challenges can be very relatable and insightful and affirming x
Thank-you Annie for enjoying my writing! I absolutely agree re the rants. Recently in conversations with friends I have notice us cuttings ourselves off for 'moaning' and actively invited it in. 'No need for apology, let's have a good moan when we meet!' So important to share it all for exact the reasons you mention x
I feel this is very much on theme with the workshop last week. That pull between how you want to show up and the tug towards how you 'should' be or the way everyone else is doing it. My whole Substack is about doing things your own way over meeting expectations! 😂 So thankyou for the reminder to keep doing it in a way that feels better. Xx
Oh, I love this. I've tried and failed many times to plan posts and schedule them out in advance but it never feels right to me. I get far more satisfaction from writing and then releasing it more or less immediately. I don't know if it resonates more with readers or whether they pick up on the energy but I'm sure I get more engagement with unscheduled posts too.
I think people can sense the energy of 'really feeling this right now' over a scheduled post, which might be more about: 'I need to schedule something to go out while I'm away' Ax
One of the things that matters to me is feeling able to speak. Sometimes I want to say things that might not be welcome, and I really wrestle with whether I should say them or not.
Also, one thing I'd like to know is how you pronounce your surname. I say it, in my head, like ride-out, and think of your work as kind of striding, reaching out, going beyond the usual boundary, but also like a biker 'ride-out', taking a gang of like-minded people with you for the ride. I was just thinking about this reading your post when I thought maybe you don't say it like that at all! Maybe the emphasis is on the short 'i' - like to rid, get rid of things, a double ridding with 'out' to follow. And that also works too.
Why Am I even asking? I have lost my hearing so I like to check because I never hear new words being spoken. I suppose that's why.
Which do pronunciation do you prefer? Then I can say it right in my head.
I'd be really interested to know what you'd like to write about that you think might be welcome (if you're open to sharing)?
It's pronounced Rid-out. Thank you for asking x
Thank you, Annie.
I’m interested in hypocrisy. Having that pointed out is never really welcome in the moment, but is sometimes valued later.
Gaining a disability in midlife is another topic I skirt around - mainly because I don’t want to be defined by it - but it informs so much of my thinking.
Motherhood and womanhood - the tricky bits.
Relationships - I write to understand them, but fear the potential impact of my subject reading it.
And then there are the general contradictions that you so beautifully describe in the poem you shared in this post, which echos my perpetual interior monologue and default thinking pattern so perfectly it is breathtaking.
Those kind of things. Are there things you are hesitant to share? X
For me, it's simply inhibition. Sometimes, I think I have a great idea for a post but at the moment of posting I stop, feeling pre-emptive embarrassment, worrying about what the people in my social network I know in real life might think. I think this speaks to the dissonance between where I am, where I want to be and the image I'm portraying online. I have the hardest time bringing all of that together!
You are certainly not alone with this. Did you read this piece - https://annieridout.substack.com/p/how-to-succeed-on-substack ? It might help you to shift some of that sense that things need to be done a certain way. X
100% feel this too!
Glad I’m not the only one!
I find my ideas pop I'm at awkward times ikea the middle of the night or when I'm driving. I often find myself narrating posts and ideas in my head but then when I have the time to sit and actually write them they've gone or feel awkward! Also really wary of writing a 'negative' post or something that doesn't have some kind of insight or growth to share at the end. Like why would people possibly want to read about my life? And this holds me back from publishing things I have written.
I love reading about your life and I think you strike such a good balance between sharing what is challenging with moments of beauty. I really know what you mean about feeling wary of being negative, though, as I've lately felt I want a good rant and have then wondered whether it might scare people off. But then I saw a woman of an ND child who said: I was going to have a rant but instead, though I'd share things bringing joy - and I thought: I want the rant! It reminded me that hearing other people's challenges can be very relatable and insightful and affirming x
Thank-you Annie for enjoying my writing! I absolutely agree re the rants. Recently in conversations with friends I have notice us cuttings ourselves off for 'moaning' and actively invited it in. 'No need for apology, let's have a good moan when we meet!' So important to share it all for exact the reasons you mention x
This popped up just when I needed it as it’s exactly the sort of approach I’m trying to take now. ❤️
oh good!
Annie you captured my “strategy”—not just to writing content but to life—in your essay. Brilliant and so incredibly powerful! Thank you.
Ahh, thank you xxx
Love this Annie! I’m trying to do this more recently as I want to concentrate and make space for my writing x
Then maybe, having chosen to shift the balance, what you’re writing, or feeling inspired by, will become new article/post ideas x
I’m trying to repurpose my ideas into IG content to promote my substack yeah!
I feel this is very much on theme with the workshop last week. That pull between how you want to show up and the tug towards how you 'should' be or the way everyone else is doing it. My whole Substack is about doing things your own way over meeting expectations! 😂 So thankyou for the reminder to keep doing it in a way that feels better. Xx
Oh, I love this. I've tried and failed many times to plan posts and schedule them out in advance but it never feels right to me. I get far more satisfaction from writing and then releasing it more or less immediately. I don't know if it resonates more with readers or whether they pick up on the energy but I'm sure I get more engagement with unscheduled posts too.
I think people can sense the energy of 'really feeling this right now' over a scheduled post, which might be more about: 'I need to schedule something to go out while I'm away' Ax
Lots of resonance here for me. Thank you!