As I was setting up my Substack account, the first thing that got recommended to me was: ‘let people know that you have a newsletter!’ So that’s what I’m doing. Hello. I have a Substack newsletter. And if any of you reading are interested in the art of gentle planning, you might want to consider subscribing.
If you are unfamiliar with Substack, it is a website where writers can start a newsletter with free and paid subscriptions.
“What will you be writing about?”
The short answer to this question is: finding the perfect balance between a productive and a slow life, through gentle planning.
The longer answer to the question is: I’m setting out to find the ands instead of the buts in planning. I want to lead a structured life, whilst leaving plenty of room for the unexpected. I want to be productive AND have time for a last-minute lunch with friends. To accomplish this, I want to change my productivity habits and routines. No more rigid to do lists, but room for changes of plans. I call this: gentle planning.
On Substack, I’ll be writing about my own experiences and failed attempts at gentle planning. I’ll be sharing productivity hacks that I’m testing in my pursuit and maybe, somewhere in the future, I hope to speak with others in search of the perfect balance between a productive and slow life.
I’m taking it as an experiment
But what if no one subscribes? What if no one wants to support my work? What if no one cares?
I’ll be honest, those were some of the first thoughts that popped into my head, after registering for a Substack account. To reduce the anxiety, I am going to regard this whole thing as a scientific experiment. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But even negative outcomes make for successful experiments. And I won’t know, until I try.
The differences between my free & paid subscriptions
Free Substack
My free subscribers will have access to bi-weekly emails.
Paid Substack
My paid Substack costs €5 a month, and comes with exclusive posts, free printable planners and access to the full archive.
You are able to try a paid subscription for 7 days – before committing to it.
“What about this blog?”
Substack will not be replacing this blog. I will continue to post (somewhat) regularly on here. The PaperWeirdo blog will remain the place for us to share personal stories, shop updates, lifestyle and book posts. My Substack will be solely dedicated to gentle planning and ways to improve the balance between productivity and slow living.
“Why should I become a Substack subscriber?”
That’s a good question! Maybe because you like to receive printable planners in your mailbox every month? Or because you too are looking for that perfect balance between a productive and a slow life.
For me, it is a fun new platform where I can focus on building community and authentic connections. If you want to support me, or are – at all – interested in gentle planning, I’d love to have you. Click here to become a subscriber!
It’s so wonderful that you’re committing yourself to slow living. I struggle with that concept a lot because I’ve always had an income problem and the multiple jobs that I work from home are the primary way I support myself. So I tend to overwork and find moments to just DO even when I could be resting. I’d love to reroute my life and find a way to SLOW DOWN.
I totally relate to this! I work multiple freelance jobs myself, and am very bad at taking a break or even saying ‘no’ to an assignment. It is exactly why I started Substack, hoping that I can find ways to work smarter through planning. I sincerely hope you also find a way to slow down, and obviously would love to have you as a member of my Substack community :).
Good luck with this new venture!
I discovered your blog today and let me tell you – it is just adorable! Your theme and way of writing is perfect, so I will most definitely be coming back for more now I know about it! (I also cheekily checked out the designer of your website and OMG i’m in love!).
On a more post-related note, I have a few subscriptions on Substack and love it! Might have to join yours too x
This is so exciting! I’ve been practicing slow living and it’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey. I think it’s great that you’re encouraging yourself and others to slow down, it’s something we often forget. Good luck!