What strikes me most about this piece—David, or rather, not David—is how uncannily it mirrors my own journey. Just hours before reading it, I was wrestling with questions about my growth and the path I want to carve out. Finding this now feels less like coincidence and more like cosmic timing.
Let’s be real: Growth is hard. Soul-crushingly hard. And healthy, sustainable growth? That’s the Everest of self-improvement. Even as my Substack gains traction, I keep tattooing this truth on my psyche: This is a decade-long marathon, not a sprint. Voices like yours act as guardrails, steering me back to what matters—patience, intentionality, and refusing to let today’s metrics eclipse tomorrow’s vision. Grateful for that clarity.
I thought about doing daily posts, but it is tiring, especially when I am still working to grow a subscriber base, let alone one that provides regular cups of coffees or a subscription. People are also unsubscribing due to volume or because I am not politically aligned to them as they felt. I also know people are going through hard times in both the US and Canada thanks to both Trump and Trudeau for different reasons.
As I mentioned, the updates about Ontario are important to me because that's my day-to-day life, followed by life in the country of Canada as a whole along with global events such as what is happening in the US, Ukraine, and the rest of the world to an extent. I introduced the Monday's Podcast to discuss topics I am interested in but lack the time to properly write up until weeks later and to gauge reader interest in those topics.
Honestly? I’m not chasing anything new—just doubling down on what’s already working. Sure, I could add even more live streams to the mix, but let’s be real: It’s only feasible because I’d be doomscrolling political news anyway. Twice-weekly writing? Check. Guest posts for fellow Substackers? Check. That’s the ceiling, and honestly? It’s plenty.
The grind-obsessed will scream “Hustle harder! Expand! Monetize!”—but I’ve learned that ruthlessly guarding your corner of the internet (or, fine, your “niche” 🤮) isn’t just enough—it’s everything. No empire-building. No burnout olympics. Just showing up, consistently, for the work that matters.
I am moving to a format of Podcast Mondays, a post on Wednesday and another on Friday. If there is something urgent, I will post on the weekend. Otherwise, this is what I can do based on the current situation and allows me to schedule some posts ahead of time while I take care of stuff outside of substack.
It would be nice to have several paid subscribers, but I understand people are on a tight budget. This was especially true when I learned one of my formerly paid subscribers kept having credit card issues, and another would-be paid subscriber was unable to secure a subscription also due to similar issues. The Buy Me a Coffee link is up, and there is also a merch store.
I noted your use of AI Imagery & Crediting AI - versus Photographs.. & simply offer Alternatives - Lotsa ‘stackers rely on AI as ‘support imagery for their Writing or Opinions .. Some 50% apparently find value in AI to - uh .. support their Writing Posts too
Have made similar ‘offers to entry level Podcasters, Writers et al re simplistic & zero Cost - Motion Picture & Soundtrack Basics to enhance their efforts - as well as my Photographs.. haha - ‘can lead a horse to water .. BUT ! 🦎🏴☠️🎬
What strikes me most about this piece—David, or rather, not David—is how uncannily it mirrors my own journey. Just hours before reading it, I was wrestling with questions about my growth and the path I want to carve out. Finding this now feels less like coincidence and more like cosmic timing.
Let’s be real: Growth is hard. Soul-crushingly hard. And healthy, sustainable growth? That’s the Everest of self-improvement. Even as my Substack gains traction, I keep tattooing this truth on my psyche: This is a decade-long marathon, not a sprint. Voices like yours act as guardrails, steering me back to what matters—patience, intentionality, and refusing to let today’s metrics eclipse tomorrow’s vision. Grateful for that clarity.
I thought about doing daily posts, but it is tiring, especially when I am still working to grow a subscriber base, let alone one that provides regular cups of coffees or a subscription. People are also unsubscribing due to volume or because I am not politically aligned to them as they felt. I also know people are going through hard times in both the US and Canada thanks to both Trump and Trudeau for different reasons.
As I mentioned, the updates about Ontario are important to me because that's my day-to-day life, followed by life in the country of Canada as a whole along with global events such as what is happening in the US, Ukraine, and the rest of the world to an extent. I introduced the Monday's Podcast to discuss topics I am interested in but lack the time to properly write up until weeks later and to gauge reader interest in those topics.
Honestly? I’m not chasing anything new—just doubling down on what’s already working. Sure, I could add even more live streams to the mix, but let’s be real: It’s only feasible because I’d be doomscrolling political news anyway. Twice-weekly writing? Check. Guest posts for fellow Substackers? Check. That’s the ceiling, and honestly? It’s plenty.
The grind-obsessed will scream “Hustle harder! Expand! Monetize!”—but I’ve learned that ruthlessly guarding your corner of the internet (or, fine, your “niche” 🤮) isn’t just enough—it’s everything. No empire-building. No burnout olympics. Just showing up, consistently, for the work that matters.
I am moving to a format of Podcast Mondays, a post on Wednesday and another on Friday. If there is something urgent, I will post on the weekend. Otherwise, this is what I can do based on the current situation and allows me to schedule some posts ahead of time while I take care of stuff outside of substack.
It would be nice to have several paid subscribers, but I understand people are on a tight budget. This was especially true when I learned one of my formerly paid subscribers kept having credit card issues, and another would-be paid subscriber was unable to secure a subscription also due to similar issues. The Buy Me a Coffee link is up, and there is also a merch store.
On this path, we must clear it before we can walk it.
It can be challenging to be authentic when there is a temptation to build a subscriber base along with economic challenges.
You’re welcome to utilize my Docu Photos rather than Artificial Images..
No cost - No need to include Ph Credit either - & there’s Public Domain too
🦎🏴☠️🍁
Thanks and are you referring to Unsplash or something else?
I noted your use of AI Imagery & Crediting AI - versus Photographs.. & simply offer Alternatives - Lotsa ‘stackers rely on AI as ‘support imagery for their Writing or Opinions .. Some 50% apparently find value in AI to - uh .. support their Writing Posts too
Have made similar ‘offers to entry level Podcasters, Writers et al re simplistic & zero Cost - Motion Picture & Soundtrack Basics to enhance their efforts - as well as my Photographs.. haha - ‘can lead a horse to water .. BUT ! 🦎🏴☠️🎬
That is great! Can you share a link for those stock images? AI images can be unsettling but they are a way to avoid issues with IP and copyrights.