how three months on substack changed the way i think about growth

what december taught me about patience, growth, and staying with it

Hi there, and welcome to everyone who’s new ❤️
I’m really happy you’re here. The past three month on Substack have been a beautiful little whirlwind, and I just want to say thank you. For reading my words, for the support, for being here at all. I’m excited about what’s next and deeply grateful for every part of this journey.

If you haven’t read my post about my first and second month yet, you can find the whole story here.

—barbara♡

My third month on Substack flew by. Typical for December. The holidays tend to throw everything a little off. I spent a lot of time with friends and family, and especially during the last ten days of the month, I did less than I had planned.

And that is okay.

I set my own goals, and right now I am the only one who truly expects something from me. That does not mean I do not notice the people who keep showing up. The ones who comment, support my posts, or send incredibly kind and encouraging messages. I feel like I am slowly building a safe space here. One I do not want to neglect. One I want to grow. One I want to take seriously.

Looking back, my third month did not bring a big breakthrough. But it brought clarity. And that matters more than I expected. Especially for anyone building something quietly and wondering if they’re still on the right path.

💌 what I learned in my third month on substack

1. growth does not always feel like growth

After my second month, I had ambitious goals. I wanted to reach 1,000 subscribers. I ended November at 682 and honestly thought the momentum would simply continue.

Even though I try not to let numbers control me, they are never completely silent. Numbers can motivate, and they can just as easily unsettle you. Still, setting goals feels important to me. It is my way of showing that I take this seriously.

In the end, it was never really about the number. It was about reaching more people who resonate with my words. People who read something and think, I want more of this.

I am ending December with 883 subscribers. Not quite the number I imagined, but I am grateful for every single one. Especially because I never followed the sub-for-sub route. The people who are here chose to be here. That feeling is worth more than any round number!

2. plateaus are part of the process

Right now, it feels like a small plateau. But over the last three months, there have always been phases like this. Moments where things felt quieter, followed by sudden movement.

What helps me stay calm is looking beyond just subscriber growth. My views almost doubled within one month. Something is happening, even if it is not loud.

I also noticed more people talking about how months three and four can feel especially slow, and how many stop right there. For me, that is not discouraging. It is a reminder to stay.

3. taking substack seriously does not mean creating pressure

One of the most important things I learned is that consistency matters more than intensity. Not in a stressed or perfection-driven way, but in a grounded one.

The basics are there now. I know the platform. I know my rhythm. I have proven to myself that I can stay with something beyond the initial excitement. This is not the moment to stop or doubt everything. It is the moment to continue with intention. So I did the following:

• I created a loose but consistent schedule. Every morning, I check and reply to comments, especially under my posts. I publish two posts a week, write Notes daily, and restack at least one of my own posts with a Note every day. The holidays did not always make this easy, but the direction feels right.

• And as part of taking this seriously, I also created my first freebie. A small journaling companion you can find here:

• I love designing and adjusting visuals, and I am a little limited by how much you can customize a Substack homepage. Still, I did everything I could. A header, a logo, sections that highlight specific posts. I wanted it to feel like me and hopefully welcoming to anyone who lands there. Trust grows through consistency, and a coherent visual identity helps with that.

  

• This also made me think about paid subscriptions. I don’t want to rush it. If people ever pay for my words, I want to offer something honest and valuable. For now, I’m planning, learning, and taking my time.

  And I appreciate every bit of support through Buy Me a Coffee. ❤️

  

4. visibility is not an ego thing, it is care

Something that has mattered every single month, and probably always will, is staying visible.

Showing up. Letting people know you are here. For Substack. For the algorithm. For people who might not know you yet. And most importantly, for your subscribers.

The early readers are the foundation. They believe in you before there are big numbers or obvious success. That deserves attention. There are so many people whose words stayed with me. Who encouraged me when I needed it. Thank you for being here!

Showing up is how I say thank you.

5. thinking long-term also means building outside of substack

In November, I created a Pinterest account alongside Substack. I post there regularly and link back to my writing. Pinterest works more like a search engine and can bring people in from outside the platform.

I know this is a long-term project. Still, I did not expect it to look this promising after just six weeks. I am treating it as a quiet extension of what I am building here, without pressure, just curiosity.

Thinking about starting your own publication? Write your heart out. ❤️ Create your own Substack today and let your words find their people

6. learning to want less and trust more

Another important lesson this month was not wanting too much at once. Being content with what is. Trusting my own path and not comparing myself to others. Comparison rarely brings anything good.

In the end, it really is one step at a time. Success does not happen overnight. When someone seems successful, we usually only see the last one percent of the journey. Everything before that is invisible.

7. writing needs life, not just discipline

Intentionally or not, December pulled me closer to life outside of writing. Time with friends. Long walks. Nature. Reflection. Fewer screens.

I know this about myself. Inspiration disappears when I do not live. Writing needs experience, not just output.

So my honest advice is simple. Go outside or connect with your loved ones. Turn your phone off. Step away from screens. Move through the world with attention. You might be surprised by what finds its way back to you.

closing

December was a small up and down. A month full of expectations that could have easily turned into disappointment. Still, I am proud of myself for staying with something for ninety days.

It feels like proof that writing is not just a phase for me. It is what makes me feel alive. What I follow with care and motivation. Something I hope will one day also support me financially.

Even when it feels like nothing is moving, not everything needs to happen at once. I trust that what grows slowly can last. For now, I will keep writing. Without rushing. Without distracting myself.

The people who are meant to find my words will.

What has this past month taught you about staying with something, even when it felt quiet?

Quiet does not mean wrong.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post, if you feel like sharing. 💌 thank you for being here and meeting my words with yours. i’m endlessly grateful for this little corner we share. 🤍

If you want to support my writing, you can buy me a tea. It means more than you know.