This is so true. Now I have less shame reposting content. I try not to think about the algorithm and still be there for people or small businesses I like to follow. I give myself a timer for IG where I engage purposefully with people I like, so that is genuine. And I try then not to doom scroll anymore. It was hard to get there, but I enjoy much more now being present for people around me as well, and connect with my art more than let a platform who doesn't really care about us and our craft dictate who our time should be spent. It comes with consequences of course, but it is mentally freeing and that is all that matters.
Until I published my first novel, I'd been living without social media for eight years. Having to venture back out into the world of social media so that people would know I exist as an author was terrifying.
I found not much changed since I left it. The things I didn't like about it were all still there, and worse. After trying out all the major sites for a couple years (IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, FB), I decided to leave it all behind again and focus on something new - newsletter writing. I'm much happier this way. I engage with people in more meaningful ways and have the opportunity to explore ideas in ways that the post style of traditional social sites doesn't support.
I have actually repurposed a lot of content I previously posted on IG and expanded upon it, like you suggested. It's a great tip! No reason at all to feel bad about reusing your old ideas if they still hold truth and relevance to you.
I’m sitting on my porch reading this right now. I played the video and literally heard the same thing there that I’m hearing in my backyard. I love PA!
I SUPER love this post!! I ditched socials a while ago but still monitor my Facebook memories every single day because they're a content gold mine to use here in my newsletters.
Little increments of time can add up to a lot over the long run. Thanks Seth. Your stack is one of my favourites, and I am always excited when you post something new. I have not yet given up my social media accounts, but I am considering it. I find Substack rewarding, compared to all the other platforms, which induce more frustration than pleasure, um, well, perhaps not for everyone, but for me at least.
I love the running/scrolling comparison! Cardio and movement gives us all those awesome endorphins and improves sleep. Social media scrolling gives me anxiety and makes me lose sleep thinking about all the stuff I wish I had.
Thanks for sharing Seth. I think that video of my square 41 year old self scootering may be what this new video thing on notes is really designed for :)
“Scrolling 33 minutes daily on your phone adds up to about 200 hours a year”. That’s a crazy amount of time to give over to social media! I never really did the math before, but 🤯
Seth, really enjoying your content. I quite all social media last December and have not regretted it one moment. This summer my college age son is coming home and is going to teach me how to do audio/video editing. I purchased a nice microphone and camera. I want to add good quality audio/video to my newsletter so I am excited about learning this new skill.
I don't have any apps on my phone except the essentials. All notifications are turned off. I have a lot more free time to read, write, learn new things, and spend time with family. No regrets.
that 33minutes scrolling number really hit me hard today. i’m contemplating deleting the apps off my phone and allocating 33 minutes in the morning for posting, responding, etc. Anything to curb the mindless scroll!
So true!
This is so true. Now I have less shame reposting content. I try not to think about the algorithm and still be there for people or small businesses I like to follow. I give myself a timer for IG where I engage purposefully with people I like, so that is genuine. And I try then not to doom scroll anymore. It was hard to get there, but I enjoy much more now being present for people around me as well, and connect with my art more than let a platform who doesn't really care about us and our craft dictate who our time should be spent. It comes with consequences of course, but it is mentally freeing and that is all that matters.
Until I published my first novel, I'd been living without social media for eight years. Having to venture back out into the world of social media so that people would know I exist as an author was terrifying.
I found not much changed since I left it. The things I didn't like about it were all still there, and worse. After trying out all the major sites for a couple years (IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, FB), I decided to leave it all behind again and focus on something new - newsletter writing. I'm much happier this way. I engage with people in more meaningful ways and have the opportunity to explore ideas in ways that the post style of traditional social sites doesn't support.
I have actually repurposed a lot of content I previously posted on IG and expanded upon it, like you suggested. It's a great tip! No reason at all to feel bad about reusing your old ideas if they still hold truth and relevance to you.
Ooooh I love this so much!! Yeah, writing for an audience who will actually SEE your work is so nice, unlike social media where hardly anyone sees it.
Excellent as always Seth.
I’m sitting on my porch reading this right now. I played the video and literally heard the same thing there that I’m hearing in my backyard. I love PA!
AHHHHH I love that!!!! PA has some good sounds :)))
I SUPER love this post!! I ditched socials a while ago but still monitor my Facebook memories every single day because they're a content gold mine to use here in my newsletters.
YESSSS great idea!
Little increments of time can add up to a lot over the long run. Thanks Seth. Your stack is one of my favourites, and I am always excited when you post something new. I have not yet given up my social media accounts, but I am considering it. I find Substack rewarding, compared to all the other platforms, which induce more frustration than pleasure, um, well, perhaps not for everyone, but for me at least.
Excellent points. Play to your strengths on social media, and if it's writing, this is the space to do it
Scrolling versus running. I will choose running. I am escaping those other platforms, more and more. If I am going to scroll I prefer here.
Scrolling here is MOSTLY a joy, because you can find some good folks and then build your email list little by little!
I have found some folks Seth! 😉
I really like the points here of using our time wisely! Thanks, Seth!
I love the running/scrolling comparison! Cardio and movement gives us all those awesome endorphins and improves sleep. Social media scrolling gives me anxiety and makes me lose sleep thinking about all the stuff I wish I had.
Objects in motion stay in motion!!!! Keep moving and grooving.
Thanks for sharing Seth. I think that video of my square 41 year old self scootering may be what this new video thing on notes is really designed for :)
Ummm YES IT IS. Can't wait to see it :)
“Scrolling 33 minutes daily on your phone adds up to about 200 hours a year”. That’s a crazy amount of time to give over to social media! I never really did the math before, but 🤯
Musk and Zuckerberg are very grateful that you've never done the math before!
Seth, really enjoying your content. I quite all social media last December and have not regretted it one moment. This summer my college age son is coming home and is going to teach me how to do audio/video editing. I purchased a nice microphone and camera. I want to add good quality audio/video to my newsletter so I am excited about learning this new skill.
I don't have any apps on my phone except the essentials. All notifications are turned off. I have a lot more free time to read, write, learn new things, and spend time with family. No regrets.
My "content?" PLEASE, this is art! hahaha just kidding. THANK YOU.
And YES.... leaning video and audio is so good because it can travel with you, no matter what you're making!
I’ll go for journaling & meditating😊🌹
DO IT! 200+ hours of it!
I’d definitely like to free more time up to meditate. What can be more important than learning to be present, when that is all there is!
Exactly - and it's all the total opposite of what social media does for us!
Literally!
that 33minutes scrolling number really hit me hard today. i’m contemplating deleting the apps off my phone and allocating 33 minutes in the morning for posting, responding, etc. Anything to curb the mindless scroll!
There you go - you don't need to burn it all to the ground. "Just" deleting from your phone will probably be a HUGE help!