The Substack Phenomenon

And why to use "Notes" with caution.

May 03, 2024

If you are going to Substack, then Substack

What do you do when you get inspired? Well, you write, of course (if you are a writer), or paint, sculpt, or create in whatever your field may be. That's what we do or should do.

But do we?

How many of you actually manifest that wish as soon as it develops in your head?

Who has that kind of discipline?

If you do, kudos to you! I sure didn't. But I'm seriously working on it. It's like a must at this point. We get distracted so easily. The world is full of surprises. There's so much going on in our lives. We must structure ourselves and stick to a plan.

Because if we don't, the consequences could be disastrous. Imagine (as a writer) that someone is coming in two hours to pick up your manuscript for publication. You would indeed have it by then, wouldn't you? Imagine your publisher has had enough of you being late. He's ready to dump you unless you change.

He hates doing that, but you'll hate it even more.

Why leave things up in the air, hoping that luck will save you? Eventually, even luck gets tired of your nonsense. It's disrespectful, she says. And it is. Lady Luck only knocks twice; the third time, you're out.

That's not a good feeling.

But we have all kinds of excuses for why we are the way we are or why we do what we do. Ego tells us it's fun. Are we going to keep on listening?

Of course, the ego wants to play and distract. It gets bored very easily. He couldn't care less about you screwing up your future. If you let your ego be a part of your life, you must practice discipline.

He loves the monkey's mind, excitement, distractions, more of this, and that, and the other. OMG! Look at that squirrel!

Stop falling for it!

The self-sabotage

Then, we have another issue: Substack platform's Notes. That fantastic experiment also helps to distract you from writing your compositions. Why? Because it's difficult to disengage. We get into these amazing discussions with our subscribers that we just can't quit. How do you say no to something that is so good, intelligent, and sometimes even funny?

We are humans, after all, and that's one attribute that comes with it. We are communicators or listeners. But we like to learn from others as we share our thoughts with them. It's a win-win, isn't it?

It sure sounds right, so how can something that feels so good be so wrong?

It's not wrong, but it has a place and a time. We must be fundamentally aware of that.

Notes will still be there when you finish your piece. Don't worry; they won't go anywhere, and you won't be missed for that short bit. We like to think we will be, but nope. It’s a trick of the mind.

We are not performing brain surgery. It's a dialogue within a post, that is all. It will continue with or without you. No post on Notes is as significant as your work outside of it.

Posts are simple and great. They are engaging and even fascinating to learn from. But they are nothing compared to your life as a writer.

Because you are a writer, right? If you aren't, this article is not for you. If you place social media on a higher pedestal than your work, this conversation is over.

Like my dad would say, there's a place and a time for everything. Dad, thank you!!

So why don't we stop sabotaging ourselves and our future? We exchange the possibilities for social media thrills.

And we shouldn't.

The discipline we seek

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

I'll be the first to admit that I used to have none of it. All my life was one exciting idea consumed after another. I lived like I was about to die the next day. Had to do everything, and then some more. Nothing was ever enough. I loved it. There was never a dull moment. We had to do everything right there and then. Worse, I didn't know what to do with myself the moment I stopped. My monkey mind was catching every opportunity to torture me. It succeeded more times than I can count.

So, with the help of some friends, I figured that meditation would get rid of that awful ape.

Of course, the ego, or the monkey mind, tried to stop the idea in its tracks. Right in the middle of my first meditation, it began to remind me how great my life was before!

I pushed through and persevered. I used breathing techniques and Oms. Likewise, I slowed down so much that I didn't recognise myself.

Still for 45 minutes, me?!? In a million years, I would’ve never suspected I could do it, but it happened. For years. Every day. Strictly, 45 minutes by the clock.

The peace of mind such an experiment gave me was excellent. The rewards were immeasurable.

I believe it has changed my DNA, if that's possible. I need to ask my friend, the greatest doctor I ever met, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, if that's possible. I don't think it is, but something dramatic and positive came out of those meditations. I only wish I had started sooner.

As I grow older and wiser, I find myself practising it on a more irregular basis when needed. Not daily, but close; I practice it more sporadically when I feel it is necessary.

To wrap up, let me finish by saying that meditation sitting will change your life. They will help you in ways you couldn't even imagine. And you'll thank yourself for it. And hopefully, you put the ape in a coma!

Conclusion

List what's important to you and the times you'd like to spend doing them.

Be aware of your online time. Stop and see yourself. Reflect on whether you're doing what you truly should be doing or wasting time.

The answers are the key. If we are honest with ourselves, the answers will come quickly. They might be painful, but also revealing. They could very well save your writer's life.

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream" – CS. Lewis.

Take heed. Those are not just mere words. The meaning behind them, if properly understood, is wisdom from the ages, given freely for us to use. Do not waste them.

After all, we don't go to the theatre to fall asleep, do we?

We don't buy a piano to look at it or a guitar to use for firewood.

There are beautiful messages in life all around for us to take advantage of, not to be dismissed as the same old, same old. Thrive with them, dwell in their wisdom, and use them to better yourself as a writer, creator, or doctor of philosophies, if you choose.

But for the love of God, don't waste your life with distractions. It's way too short.