Oh my, I relate so much! I've always been a Type-A but once I made the jump to work at home it's been a real struggle to make myself not work, I'm always trying to get one more thing done. But I too have begun creating a shift, adding guardrails and taking time away not just from work but the news and dramas. I left Facebook and Instagram behind a couple of years ago and while I have a LinkedIn account I don't enjoy or find value in that site. I think it's good that we each find our own way, and while I take a hard pass on endlessly posting and spending my days in Notes, I do try to read and engage for a while every day.
Yes yes yes! Thank you. This was the additional permission slip I needed to get over my fear of not being able to do “enough” on Substack to make it worth my time. Quality over quantity is so much better for my highly sensitive self. I appreciate the space you have created here and I am excited for the workshop on February 10th! 💛
I loved this part especially: “You don’t need to optimize your way into burnout before you’ve even found your voice.” And I’m nowhere near thinking about SEO but it reminded me that it’s okay to just focus on finding my voice for now.
Absolutely! There is a time and a place for everything. We need to let our nervous system grow slowly with our business… which means saying no to a lot of things at the beginning!
I so appreciate this post. I hid my bestseller badge to ease the pressure. There is soooo much I could say here but I hold back. I need to do less on Substack but I am stuck and don't know how to change what I over promised really.
ah Claire you are not alone - I think many got themselves into this pickle (myself included). Let’s have a conversation sometime? Nothing needs to be permanent on Substack…including your offers or ‘promises’:)
I was cleaning my garden this morning and had exactly this thought. After pruned overgrown bush, I found a weak, struggling plant underneath. I completely forgot about it because it was always covered by the other bush. Now my garden looks a lot cleaner and I can see the path again...
It's a parallel to my life. It needs to be trimmed from time to time for everything in it to thrive.
I went on sick leave at the end of 2025 and the only rule I kept when I came back to writing was: no force-posting. Take a break if I am tired.
That made me love writing again. The never-ending, burnout-inducing treadmill is exactly the trap I want to refuse.
SO good! I ran hard for a decade and I just do not want to work that hard. I do not want to have to give gifts each month to tell someone they did a good job in their business - I want to write - meet cool people - help where I can and love life.
I retired from a job and found myself in the middle of the hustle... that was not what I wanted to do.. so now I don't
This was such a beautiful post and authentic read. As a highly sensitive thank you for honoring your flow/ heart and sharing this with us. ☀️💫
ah thank you for your lovely comment Audra - I am glad it resonated!
Oh my, I relate so much! I've always been a Type-A but once I made the jump to work at home it's been a real struggle to make myself not work, I'm always trying to get one more thing done. But I too have begun creating a shift, adding guardrails and taking time away not just from work but the news and dramas. I left Facebook and Instagram behind a couple of years ago and while I have a LinkedIn account I don't enjoy or find value in that site. I think it's good that we each find our own way, and while I take a hard pass on endlessly posting and spending my days in Notes, I do try to read and engage for a while every day.
sounds like you have got some healthy practices and mindset already set up. Yay for doing less! :)
I could have written this. Seriously, where are you hiding?
hahaha that’s awesome Florence - love connecting with kindred spirits :P
Yes yes yes! Thank you. This was the additional permission slip I needed to get over my fear of not being able to do “enough” on Substack to make it worth my time. Quality over quantity is so much better for my highly sensitive self. I appreciate the space you have created here and I am excited for the workshop on February 10th! 💛
I loved this part especially: “You don’t need to optimize your way into burnout before you’ve even found your voice.” And I’m nowhere near thinking about SEO but it reminded me that it’s okay to just focus on finding my voice for now.
Absolutely! There is a time and a place for everything. We need to let our nervous system grow slowly with our business… which means saying no to a lot of things at the beginning!
This is like a true exhale, especially compared to all the “hustle” energy in most “what to do on Substack posts”
I’m glad - mission accomplished ;)
I so appreciate this post. I hid my bestseller badge to ease the pressure. There is soooo much I could say here but I hold back. I need to do less on Substack but I am stuck and don't know how to change what I over promised really.
ah Claire you are not alone - I think many got themselves into this pickle (myself included). Let’s have a conversation sometime? Nothing needs to be permanent on Substack…including your offers or ‘promises’:)
Yes let’s
I was cleaning my garden this morning and had exactly this thought. After pruned overgrown bush, I found a weak, struggling plant underneath. I completely forgot about it because it was always covered by the other bush. Now my garden looks a lot cleaner and I can see the path again...
It's a parallel to my life. It needs to be trimmed from time to time for everything in it to thrive.
I went on sick leave at the end of 2025 and the only rule I kept when I came back to writing was: no force-posting. Take a break if I am tired.
That made me love writing again. The never-ending, burnout-inducing treadmill is exactly the trap I want to refuse.
SO good! I ran hard for a decade and I just do not want to work that hard. I do not want to have to give gifts each month to tell someone they did a good job in their business - I want to write - meet cool people - help where I can and love life.
I retired from a job and found myself in the middle of the hustle... that was not what I wanted to do.. so now I don't
“Doing less is discernment.”
“Clear containers over endless access.”
“Busy is a choice. Peace is too.”
Honestly… this post should be required reading for every sensitive creator on Substack.