25 Comments
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Robin Pollak's avatar

I think it’s a great alternative to typical social media. Also, I think only people who want to take writing serious as a medium will be on here. It won’t be people just posting for likes and views like on Instagram to go viral.

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

I hope you’re right! Then maybe it can stay the way it is, even with all the video and other media upgrades Substack has planned.

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Robin Pollak's avatar

Let’s make it so

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Anna • A Momentary Happiness's avatar

Yes!! I’m so happy to be back in the ‘blogging’ game. I had a blog way back when influencers weren’t a thing and I let it go when I got my dream job. Said job involved a lot of social media and I was so glad I wasn’t in that game, but sad I didn’t have anything of my own anymore. Needless to say I’m very grateful I found my way onto Substack!

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

I love that you’ve found your way back! Blogging is sooo good. I’m glad it’s easier to feel a sense of community around it. I really loved Medium but found that the ability to really communicate and connect wasn’t quite there. I always said to my friends I used social media for my work but it wasn’t working… So I had to question it and I’m so glad I did!

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Alicia Joyful's avatar

Please no

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

It won’t :)

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Marissa Fontana's avatar

I hope not.

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Carla's avatar

Not gonna lie, based on the title of this I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the article. But after reading, I love it. I am all for this idea of slowing down and coming back to long form. I need more life in my life lol

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

Thank you Carla! I totally get it! The title gives unintentional marketer clickbait vibes, haha. I find Substack, for the most part, much more wholesome if I get stuck in a doomscroll, but also it’s a great place to freely write. I feel you! It’s amazing how much time can get sucked up by being on social media, yikes!

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Carla's avatar

You're welcome! Yes, and in my head I was like No. I don't want Substack to be like Instagram! I like Substack how it is 😂. After I read the article though, I understand what you mean. It's crazy how much time gets sucked up! I feel so free in the way I write here. I love it.

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Charlie Dice's avatar

I hope not. I’m so over IG. Please Substack never become that!

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

I feel you! I love it exactly how it is, growth and change is inevitable, however, lets hope it stays in line with what it is and enjoy it for what it is now :)

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Servontay moore's avatar

Substack is definitely a different world and I love it here so many creatives and actually people who read not just captions and pictures I feel like I’m a flower that was placed in a closet and expected to grow in there and here I am out in the sun! Your words definitely summed up my feelings

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

Oh my days! I love how you’ve put this Servontay! YES for being out in the sun!

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Holly's avatar

"I have a bit of a digital hangover where the anxiety of having left is still haunting me a little."

This is so poignant! I'm proud of you Amanda for leaning into what feels good. I have felt the truest connections on Substack.

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

Thank you Holly, it really is such a great space for love and creativity over here!

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Davina Daras's avatar

This is absolutely beautiful, I feel the exact same way! As an adult I pursued a career in photography, my business is both photography & coaching however when I was young, my greatest passion of all was writing and I thought my lifelong career was going to be as a writer. Although I don’t regret the choices I’ve made, I too have a deep love for visual art and helping people but my love for writing lies at the core of everything that I do. It’s a part of me that can never be taken. Finding Substack has felt like opening a door that’s yearned for me to walk through it. A place where this sacred part of me can be heard, valued, and shared with beautiful like minded people. It feels like I’ve come home to myself. I deeply resonate with the metaphor of fulfilling a dream from my childhood. I aim to make little me proud ❤️

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

Thank you Davina, I’m so glad it spoke to you. It makes such a difference to be in a place where you feel you can authentically expand and you’ve worded this so beautifully.

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Megan It Possible's avatar

I totally vibe this!!! I have felt the same with being on social medias and instead living life mostly off screen. I am really enjoying this platform and am super appreciative of the people on here. It is actually very refreshing to feel the way we are!! Congratulations!!! Thank you for sharing!!! <3

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

It really is Megan. Offline is definitely the returned luxury. Social media is so addictive and draining, I don’t think I realised quite how bad it was until I left.

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Megan It Possible's avatar

It also helps us be more present in our own lives. We could all use a little more of that <3

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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

💯 absolutely. I’ve found it so much easier to reconnect with and freaking hear myself since I dialled back out. It’s a work in progress but I’m getting there!

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Isa Côté's avatar

This is exactly why I'm here and why I have not grown on social media. It felt inauthentic right from the get go and I could not let myself comply with the way everyone does it on social media. No hustle culture, expert cult and vanity metrics only to feel depleted and hollow at the end of the day!!

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Oct 2
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Amanda Jayne Thrives's avatar

Thank you Alyssa, I’m glad it spoke to you! Got to love a synchronicity :)

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