I loved writing this article. TBH when I created the graphic I got even more excited. Sometimes articles come together in a way that makes the process both exciting and fun. This one hit that mark for me.
That was the best post I have read for some time. Thank you for that.
You have inspired me.
I have taken the very long road to get here.
I’ve always had an overactive imagination that I naturally use as telling stories and jokes. It’s only been the last 10 years I started writing. I’m still struggling big time with imposter syndrome. But I’m working hard to snuff it out.
I often say that if you could line up the 100 kids in my last year of school and interviewed them on the chances of any of them becoming a writer, you’d have put me last. Yet here I am.
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I get it. The imposter syndrome is real. But the beauty of Substack is that there’s a place for everyone. It’s also the most uplifting corner of the internet.
My writing has evolved, and I have with it. I say just keep showing up. Keep publishing. Eventually, someone else will look at you as the OG. 📣❤️
This was such a great article. In fact, I went and hearted all of my posts and notes too! :) Thank you so much for the reminder that self-promotion isn't a bad thing.
I got to thinking that we've probably been primed to feel icky about self-promotion because of Facebook groups always have No Self-Promotion in their group rules.I think it's also partly because we want to be chosen rather than be perceived as prideful or arrogant that we shy away from self-promotion.
Honestly, I think it's nonsense. If you're proud of what you're doing / creating, then you should absolutely be promoting it and be the first one to advocate for it.
I love that you went back and hearted your own work! And I think you’re onto something with wanting to be chosen. Somehow it feels more acceptable when someone else decides our work is worthy than when we decide it for ourselves. Maybe that’s exactly the mindset we need to change. Thank you for adding this perspective to the conversation. ❤️
lol, I was just doing what you encouraged me to do :) And I've been doing it ever since. What's funny is that I ended up reading an article from Cara Alwill at The Champagne Diet about the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing.
She makes the point that we need to stop waiting to be chosen and given permission by the some big influence and instead give ourself the permission to be successful and choose ourselves first.
I really like your whole mindset around hearting your own work because it's true, if don't show others that we value what we're sharing, then how they supposed to know it's worth it.
It's like advocating for ourselves with doctors. My dad always said "you need to follow up / speak up because you're the interested party." Happy to add helpful thoughts to the conversation! Thank you for your reply 🩵
I love a little self love and started liking my own notes early on. Mainly because when new here, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have had any at all. And one little heart felt a lot better than zero. And now a few months, I’m still doing it … probably out of habit, but am going to reframe that as FLY xx
ps I hadn’t hear this one before To fly, you must First Love Yourself. F-L-Y. I just love it and plan to do a lot flying going forward.
In the Christian world, pride is so easily looked at as a sin, but I agree, being proud of your work and accomplishments are not wrong as long as it's not to fuel your ego or diminish another's work. I did get a business card made! I'm going to remake it because the print is too small. But I keep a few in my purse. I write about things that you might think do not belong on the internet, but I write about my daughter’s fentanyl addiction with her permission. She wants people to know what a horrific life it is. And I want to br there for other parents who struggled as I did. ..do still. So some of my writing is unapologetically real. And gritty because I spend a lot of time on the streets. Not as much lately as I'm raising her one year old son and he's my priority right now. I've had 2 notes go viral. I got a bunch of subscribers but several hit unsubscribe when they got my newsletter! No worries. I'm not for everyone. I really love this post and I'm going to share it! PS: I also love AU and am a big fan of the Block!
Keep sharing. The unsubscribes happen. It’s not about those moments. It’s about when your words land with the person who needs them the most. I imagine you have lots of words
There was a funny meme going around Instagram at one point with a message along the lines of: don’t mind me, I’m just over here rewatching my latest reel for the 50th time. Cracked me up because I’ve definitely done that. If you’re a creator, it feels good to create…whatever the medium. There’s pride in creation. Little kids proudly plop their drawings on their parent’s lap knowing they will receive applause. Writing messy ABCs & 123s for the first time is met with enthusiasm. Somewhere along the way we start to feel foolish doing so. So yes! Like your own damn work. Great piece and message.
That made me laugh. Of course...we all do it. Rewatch. Reread. But now I am in the era of resharing and restacking. Because why the hell not. Agree it feels good to create and it feels amazing when other people drop the love. Thanks for the comment. You have me smiling thinking about that meme. Glad this found you.
I love, love, LOVE everything about this article! I don't know why or when at least some of us were convinced it's not right to like our own work. That if the work is good, the rest will follow. It just made everything so much harder: negotiating for promotions, better conditions, our own space in the world, and, now, Substack audience and followers.
It took me a while to admit it, but I like reading my own writing. It's not always stellar, and it could always be better, but I'm doing my best in the moment I'm in, and I'm learning as I go. Why not show that with liking my own work, and promoting my articles through Notes? If I have the energy for one random Note per day, I could also easily add a soft 'if you're looking for X, consider this article' daily, couldn't I?
You've just blown my mind by giving me permission to be my biggest and loudest cheerleader. Thank you! And I trust the community will keep me on the straight and honest and avoid it getting into the arrogant waters. No way to lose, only to win. Yay!
This makes me so happy to read. But damn, you beat me to making the first comment. I need to give myself a little ❤️ here. Thank you for sharing! And cheers to being the loudest cheerleader 📣
Honestly, I got super excited reading your article and somehow couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself 😂🙈 I’m still going through pieces of it in my head. I just love it when good writing, good topics and the right moment come together, and this was definitely it for me, thank you ❤️❤️
P.s. Thoughts. I’m a bit on the fence about self promotion in others comments 🤔 I always approach the comment sections as the space to celebrate and validate the author, not to promote my own work, even if there’s a very obvious connection in my mind. Is that just me? Something to get over and add to my self promotion list?
I hear you and SILENT WITNESS completely changed my mind on that. Their invitation to read their work and subscribe to their publication landed as an honest, warm and welcoming approach that didn’t feel like self grandeur. It’s a delicacy I am aspiring to embrace with equal grace.
I complain about slow growth but don't actively self-promote. As a French woman, I don't carry the modesty hang-up so many Brits seem to. My problem is different: I genuinely don't know what to say when I restack something.
And whenever I do restack anything, mine or someone else's, it barely gets five likes. Then there's the fear of becoming that person who's always reposting her own work, which is deadly boring for followers. So no modesty issue here. Just: a headache figuring out what to say, a mechanic I don't quite believe in, and a fear of being a bore. 😄
I loved this article. It's funny how I am always the biggest cheerleader for those around me and even for perfect strangers, but the biggest critic for myself. Always worried if I post about this trip or that accomplishment, I look like I am bragging.
This is a lovely permission slip to like our own work. We might feel cringe and discomfort, but you’re so right that we need to believe in ourselves if we expect others to do so. I just liked my own articles from the past couple of months. Thanks for the inspo!
I loved writing this article. TBH when I created the graphic I got even more excited. Sometimes articles come together in a way that makes the process both exciting and fun. This one hit that mark for me.
That was the best post I have read for some time. Thank you for that.
You have inspired me.
I have taken the very long road to get here.
I’ve always had an overactive imagination that I naturally use as telling stories and jokes. It’s only been the last 10 years I started writing. I’m still struggling big time with imposter syndrome. But I’m working hard to snuff it out.
I often say that if you could line up the 100 kids in my last year of school and interviewed them on the chances of any of them becoming a writer, you’d have put me last. Yet here I am.
Thank you again for a fantastic post.
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I get it. The imposter syndrome is real. But the beauty of Substack is that there’s a place for everyone. It’s also the most uplifting corner of the internet.
My writing has evolved, and I have with it. I say just keep showing up. Keep publishing. Eventually, someone else will look at you as the OG. 📣❤️
Thank you for being part of my stack. Totally on a high at the moment.
I am honored to be here.
This was such a great article. In fact, I went and hearted all of my posts and notes too! :) Thank you so much for the reminder that self-promotion isn't a bad thing.
I got to thinking that we've probably been primed to feel icky about self-promotion because of Facebook groups always have No Self-Promotion in their group rules.I think it's also partly because we want to be chosen rather than be perceived as prideful or arrogant that we shy away from self-promotion.
Honestly, I think it's nonsense. If you're proud of what you're doing / creating, then you should absolutely be promoting it and be the first one to advocate for it.
I love that you went back and hearted your own work! And I think you’re onto something with wanting to be chosen. Somehow it feels more acceptable when someone else decides our work is worthy than when we decide it for ourselves. Maybe that’s exactly the mindset we need to change. Thank you for adding this perspective to the conversation. ❤️
lol, I was just doing what you encouraged me to do :) And I've been doing it ever since. What's funny is that I ended up reading an article from Cara Alwill at The Champagne Diet about the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing.
She makes the point that we need to stop waiting to be chosen and given permission by the some big influence and instead give ourself the permission to be successful and choose ourselves first.
I really like your whole mindset around hearting your own work because it's true, if don't show others that we value what we're sharing, then how they supposed to know it's worth it.
It's like advocating for ourselves with doctors. My dad always said "you need to follow up / speak up because you're the interested party." Happy to add helpful thoughts to the conversation! Thank you for your reply 🩵
Rebekkah, I didn't get a chance to say thank you. I've been following The Champagne Diet since you shared this note. She's got great content!
She does! And no problem :)
I love a little self love and started liking my own notes early on. Mainly because when new here, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have had any at all. And one little heart felt a lot better than zero. And now a few months, I’m still doing it … probably out of habit, but am going to reframe that as FLY xx
ps I hadn’t hear this one before To fly, you must First Love Yourself. F-L-Y. I just love it and plan to do a lot flying going forward.
We need to start a FLYers club 😉❤️
I loved this! My grannie had a saying "Don't slam the door in your own face." and your article reminded me to heed that! Thanks.
I bet I would have loved your Grannie!
When I was in high school voting for class officers (I was running for VP of my class) I was reminded that we should always vote for ourselves…
Of course!
So you should absolutely “like” your own work! And every time, enjoy the little vibe it sends back to you!
Right?! Like stacking our own little ballot. Why not toot the horn! XOXO
In the Christian world, pride is so easily looked at as a sin, but I agree, being proud of your work and accomplishments are not wrong as long as it's not to fuel your ego or diminish another's work. I did get a business card made! I'm going to remake it because the print is too small. But I keep a few in my purse. I write about things that you might think do not belong on the internet, but I write about my daughter’s fentanyl addiction with her permission. She wants people to know what a horrific life it is. And I want to br there for other parents who struggled as I did. ..do still. So some of my writing is unapologetically real. And gritty because I spend a lot of time on the streets. Not as much lately as I'm raising her one year old son and he's my priority right now. I've had 2 notes go viral. I got a bunch of subscribers but several hit unsubscribe when they got my newsletter! No worries. I'm not for everyone. I really love this post and I'm going to share it! PS: I also love AU and am a big fan of the Block!
Keep sharing. The unsubscribes happen. It’s not about those moments. It’s about when your words land with the person who needs them the most. I imagine you have lots of words
of inspiration for others. Keep going my friend.
There was a funny meme going around Instagram at one point with a message along the lines of: don’t mind me, I’m just over here rewatching my latest reel for the 50th time. Cracked me up because I’ve definitely done that. If you’re a creator, it feels good to create…whatever the medium. There’s pride in creation. Little kids proudly plop their drawings on their parent’s lap knowing they will receive applause. Writing messy ABCs & 123s for the first time is met with enthusiasm. Somewhere along the way we start to feel foolish doing so. So yes! Like your own damn work. Great piece and message.
That made me laugh. Of course...we all do it. Rewatch. Reread. But now I am in the era of resharing and restacking. Because why the hell not. Agree it feels good to create and it feels amazing when other people drop the love. Thanks for the comment. You have me smiling thinking about that meme. Glad this found you.
So happy I made you laugh! And thanks for the encouragement…I’m off to like and restack my own work :)
I enjoyed reading about your little journey into self-love…I do it too. One Substack “expert” recommended it. Why not?
Exactly! 📣❤️
Thank you for your sharing!
Thank you so much for this! Now, I’m planning to head to my Instagram account and give a ❤️ all my amateur architecture photography.
Great idea! Thanks for always reading my work. I really appreciate it. ❤️
I ❤️ Your Work, and I ❤️ Mine 2
Yes to be your own #1 fan!
I love, love, LOVE everything about this article! I don't know why or when at least some of us were convinced it's not right to like our own work. That if the work is good, the rest will follow. It just made everything so much harder: negotiating for promotions, better conditions, our own space in the world, and, now, Substack audience and followers.
It took me a while to admit it, but I like reading my own writing. It's not always stellar, and it could always be better, but I'm doing my best in the moment I'm in, and I'm learning as I go. Why not show that with liking my own work, and promoting my articles through Notes? If I have the energy for one random Note per day, I could also easily add a soft 'if you're looking for X, consider this article' daily, couldn't I?
You've just blown my mind by giving me permission to be my biggest and loudest cheerleader. Thank you! And I trust the community will keep me on the straight and honest and avoid it getting into the arrogant waters. No way to lose, only to win. Yay!
This makes me so happy to read. But damn, you beat me to making the first comment. I need to give myself a little ❤️ here. Thank you for sharing! And cheers to being the loudest cheerleader 📣
Honestly, I got super excited reading your article and somehow couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself 😂🙈 I’m still going through pieces of it in my head. I just love it when good writing, good topics and the right moment come together, and this was definitely it for me, thank you ❤️❤️
That makes two of us then! Gosh, this is so exciting!!
P.s. Thoughts. I’m a bit on the fence about self promotion in others comments 🤔 I always approach the comment sections as the space to celebrate and validate the author, not to promote my own work, even if there’s a very obvious connection in my mind. Is that just me? Something to get over and add to my self promotion list?
I hear you and SILENT WITNESS completely changed my mind on that. Their invitation to read their work and subscribe to their publication landed as an honest, warm and welcoming approach that didn’t feel like self grandeur. It’s a delicacy I am aspiring to embrace with equal grace.
I just added my own comment. I now have a whole new level of love for the comment section too!
Love this!
I complain about slow growth but don't actively self-promote. As a French woman, I don't carry the modesty hang-up so many Brits seem to. My problem is different: I genuinely don't know what to say when I restack something.
And whenever I do restack anything, mine or someone else's, it barely gets five likes. Then there's the fear of becoming that person who's always reposting her own work, which is deadly boring for followers. So no modesty issue here. Just: a headache figuring out what to say, a mechanic I don't quite believe in, and a fear of being a bore. 😄
I loved this article. It's funny how I am always the biggest cheerleader for those around me and even for perfect strangers, but the biggest critic for myself. Always worried if I post about this trip or that accomplishment, I look like I am bragging.
This is a lovely permission slip to like our own work. We might feel cringe and discomfort, but you’re so right that we need to believe in ourselves if we expect others to do so. I just liked my own articles from the past couple of months. Thanks for the inspo!