Wonderful interview! After my first year writing on Substack, I took the last three weeks of 2024 to evaluate what I was doing and why I was doing it. It's challenging to step out of the competitive mode of success we are surrounded by.
They often say there's no competition on Substack; it's just readers/writers supporting each other. It lightens up the air and lets you enjoy the space. Thank you for taking the time to read through the interview.
It's really great to check in and re-evaluate. I've been writing here for almost 5 years now and it's taken me a lot of time to figure out my process and what I want to do, but now that I've figured things out, I'm regularly checking in and tweaking. And that competitive side of things is really tricky. I try not to worry about it too much, but it can be hard.
I am currently juggling a LOT of things so I really needed this! I also could do way better about intentionally slowing down during my own coffee breaks.
Yes! I've actually been trying lately to stop reaching for my phone during free moments. It's become such a habit, and really not good if I struggle to sit and do nothing for just 5 minutes.
This interview really spoke to me. I'm recovering from burnout myself, and so much of what Jana shared deeply resonated. Like her, I’m learning to slow down and make space for what truly matters. It’s comforting to hear others finding clarity through consistency and choosing presence over constant striving. Thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to do everything at once, and that success can be quiet, intentional, and already here
Oh I LOVE this! I too have been trying to put things in place so that I've got consistency happening that will enable me to slow down because I am so guilty of taking on too many things at once and then getting close to the point of burnout.
Thank you, Estefania! I am so glad this interview spoke to you. The burnout sacks. It takes a mountain to get out of it and past it. I am sending you good energy. Also, as we are burnout 'sisters', I subscribed to you. Thank you for taking the time to read through the interview.
I loved the burnout “sisters” reference, so true! We’re definitely in this together. If you ever need support or want to collaborate, feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to help.
This stirred something quiet but insistent in me—like an invitation to keep walking, even if the ground underfoot is still shifting.
I’ve been thinking about creativity not as something I make, but something I survive. I wrote recently about the aftermath of a personal wildfire—what’s left, what gets rebuilt, and how soft the ground can actually be. It’s called After the Fire: Notes from a Soft Place in the Rubble.
Sharing it here in case it sits next to your piece in someone else’s nervous system, too:
Thank you for reminding me that creativity can look like breathing, not just producing
'I’ve been thinking about creativity not as something I make, but something I survive.' – This is such an interesting take, Kelly. I often feel like creativity or the things I do create come from parts of me needing somewhere to give some of the energy I'm struggling with. I don't know if that makes sense, but thank you for sharing <3
Wonderful interview! After my first year writing on Substack, I took the last three weeks of 2024 to evaluate what I was doing and why I was doing it. It's challenging to step out of the competitive mode of success we are surrounded by.
They often say there's no competition on Substack; it's just readers/writers supporting each other. It lightens up the air and lets you enjoy the space. Thank you for taking the time to read through the interview.
It's really great to check in and re-evaluate. I've been writing here for almost 5 years now and it's taken me a lot of time to figure out my process and what I want to do, but now that I've figured things out, I'm regularly checking in and tweaking. And that competitive side of things is really tricky. I try not to worry about it too much, but it can be hard.
I am currently juggling a LOT of things so I really needed this! I also could do way better about intentionally slowing down during my own coffee breaks.
I hope you will find a way to slow down, Samantha. Thank you for taking the time to read through the interview.
Yes! I've actually been trying lately to stop reaching for my phone during free moments. It's become such a habit, and really not good if I struggle to sit and do nothing for just 5 minutes.
This interview really spoke to me. I'm recovering from burnout myself, and so much of what Jana shared deeply resonated. Like her, I’m learning to slow down and make space for what truly matters. It’s comforting to hear others finding clarity through consistency and choosing presence over constant striving. Thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to do everything at once, and that success can be quiet, intentional, and already here
Oh I LOVE this! I too have been trying to put things in place so that I've got consistency happening that will enable me to slow down because I am so guilty of taking on too many things at once and then getting close to the point of burnout.
Thank you, Estefania! I am so glad this interview spoke to you. The burnout sacks. It takes a mountain to get out of it and past it. I am sending you good energy. Also, as we are burnout 'sisters', I subscribed to you. Thank you for taking the time to read through the interview.
I loved the burnout “sisters” reference, so true! We’re definitely in this together. If you ever need support or want to collaborate, feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to help.
This stirred something quiet but insistent in me—like an invitation to keep walking, even if the ground underfoot is still shifting.
I’ve been thinking about creativity not as something I make, but something I survive. I wrote recently about the aftermath of a personal wildfire—what’s left, what gets rebuilt, and how soft the ground can actually be. It’s called After the Fire: Notes from a Soft Place in the Rubble.
Sharing it here in case it sits next to your piece in someone else’s nervous system, too:
Thank you for reminding me that creativity can look like breathing, not just producing
https://open.substack.com/pub/unrulygrace/p/after-the-fire-notes-from-a-soft?r=41g22e&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
'I’ve been thinking about creativity not as something I make, but something I survive.' – This is such an interesting take, Kelly. I often feel like creativity or the things I do create come from parts of me needing somewhere to give some of the energy I'm struggling with. I don't know if that makes sense, but thank you for sharing <3
Yes! That resonates so much, like excavating or exorcizing the spark inside.