Rest is the most underrated object in the world right now.
We have grown to this insane culture here in the States where everything is a hustle. Every detail of our lives needs to be transactional. We are encouraged to sacrifice our free time to make more money! Why do we do this? To buy more shit. To get ready for retirement, which is when we get to stop working finally. The reasons are plentiful and they feel fruitful.
Substack is a hustle. Most of the writers on here offer paid content or the option for subscribers to support their work monetarily, and that's wonderful, but it's still another hustle. The truth is you can't knock people for wanting to get ahead in life. That's the name of the game with capitalism, and we live in a capitalist society. It's exhausting at times.
Everyone I know has at least two jobs or multiple sources of income. There's no such thing as a living wage these days. We all are scratching and clawing for a bag.
I don't want my Substack to turn into something where I am worrying about the bottom line. There are enough avenues in life where that has become a concern, and this newsletter has been liberating. It's been where I've grown as a writer. If I'm being transparent, one of the only things that has made me feel better when it comes to my anxiety lately is writing. Journaling, sketching out stories, editing, you name it. It fills me with some purpose that doesn't have to be quantified like my other work.
The other side is that it's nice to be known for my writing. I don't have a massive following, but the people who have found me here independently are amazing writers and great people. It’s wonderful to have others whose work I admire come here and read my posts and emails. I like the individuals I've connected with here. It's been unlike any other social media platform. I often think of the people whom I've yet to meet. It's a byproduct of my anxiety. I think about the future entirely too much.
I feel like I've not only grown as a writer since I started publishing my thoughts and pieces a little over a year ago, but I've grown as a person as well. There's something to be said about ripping yourself open and showing your true self for the world to see. It's heartbreaking and fulfilling at the same time. It brings me serenity amid chaos. Most people don't care, but those few who take a second and look at the inner workings of your pain and triumphs make me appreciate the world at large again.
What I'm getting at is I don't look at this work as the same type of hustle that I have with other gigs. I still do freelance work on the side, I have my day job, and I will be picking up a second job shortly. But I also love the space that I have here. I spent months writing for a handful of people. Even writing for no one was wonderful. Now I get to interact and vibe with you all. It's freeing and calming. I don't think I want to lose that.
So... I won't.
I am so tired of the hustle mentality, too. I have three part time jobs and five kids. Substack's been a nice place for me and my mind. Keep writing, Adam. Good seeing you here.
This is why I removed all my paywalls. I want community, not another hustle. If people enjoy and want to support my writing? Awesome! If not, it’s okay. I’ll still write because that’s what I love to do.