how one month on substack changed everything

reflections on writing, honesty and finding your voice in a noisy world

I still remember the moment I found Substack. Another random evening, scrolling through TikTok, when a carousel post stopped me mid-scroll. It was about writing your own blog, about turning your life into words - and how you could simply do that on Substack. (Here’s the link to her Substack in case you need that same spark of inspiration: lina) Something about it hit so deeply that I couldn’t just keep scrolling. It felt like a quiet invitation and I knew I had to follow it.

So I downloaded the app without a second thought. I wanted to see what was waiting for me there. Something clicked - maybe it was time to finally have a space that felt like mine to write.

When I start something new, especially a creative project, I’m half chaos, half researcher. Half intuition, half strategy. I jump in with excitement and then spend hours reading every article, watching every youtube video, trying to learn everything I can.

But it didn’t take long. After scrolling through Substack for a whole day, liking countless Notes that somehow felt like reading my own thoughts and discovering writers who made me feel less alone, I knew: this is it. This is the moment I finally write my first post.

I didn’t overthink it. I just started. I let the words spill out. My first post was about journaling, that it was always part of my life since I was 12 and how I was finding my way back to it. I didn’t know who I wanted to reach or what this space would become. I just knew I wanted to share my words. For the first time in my life.

It was terrifying. But it was also freeing - deeply, unexpectedly freeing. After 32 years, I finally allowed myself to be read. And once I did, I couldn’t imagine not doing it anymore.

Now, it’s been almost exactly a month since I started heart full of pages.
Ten posts later. Over 100 Notes. And more than 300 subscribers.

This feels so encouraging and reassuring - it means my words are actually resonating with people. That I get to inspire someone out there, which is something I’ve always wanted.

But it still feels a little surreal - knowing that strangers are reading my thoughts, and even stranger that it finally feels right.

Maybe because I’ve tried so many things before, always searching for that feeling. A beauty YouTube channel over ten years ago. An Etsy shop four years ago. A TikTok account a year and a half ago.

Each time, I wanted to share something of myself - but somehow, it never felt fully like me. Like I was showing pieces of myself, but not the right ones.

And if I’m honest, back then, my main motivation was money. The struggle around money was always part of my life especially with my student loan in mind. I’d seen how others built successful online businesses and thought: I want that, too. And the thing is, it’s possible, yes. But only if you truly care. Because as much as some make it sound easy - it’s not. It’s work. It’s showing up. It’s discipline and devotion.

And the only real thing that decides whether people truly listen to you is honesty. Your truth. Whether you’re showing up as your real self, without the mask. People feel that. They always do. And after all, that kind of honesty can turn into real success - it’s what I hope for, and what I’ve seen happen before.

Of course, some topics are magnetic for a different reason. They attract people who are lost, lonely, searching for something to believe in. And there will always be those who take advantage of that. It’s “easy” if you leave kindness and integrity behind. But that’s not truth anymore - it’s manipulation dressed as meaning. Everyone has to decide which road they want to walk. I knew mine. I never wanted to build anything that way.

So if you feel that quiet urge to share something real - your words, your art, your music, your story: do it.
Do it when it feels right.
Do it where it feels right.
And above all, do it as the most honest version of yourself, the one you usually keep hidden.

People don’t want perfect lives to look at. They want something real to feel.

💌 my first-month substack learnings

If you’re thinking about starting your own Substack or want to take it more seriously, here’s what I’ve learned so far:

1. Notes are everything.

I post 3–5 notes a day. Without them, I wouldn’t have reached 300+ subscribers in my first month. Write what’s on your heart. Share little truths, thoughts, behind-the-scenes moments. You’re not too much. You’re never too much. These ones definitely brought some new subscribers my way ❤️:

2. Engagement matters.

Like every social media platform, connection is key. Reply to comments. Read other people’s posts. Leave genuine comments yourself when something touches you. Be part of the conversation - it’s how Substack truly comes alive. That’s exactly why I started my subscribers chat last Sunday and I can’t wait to connect even more with every single one of you 💫

3. Stay consistent, but stay kind to yourself.

If you want to grow, show up regularly. Treat it like your dream job, not a chore. Post essays, notes, reflections. But if your mind feels heavy or uninspired, take a break. Rest isn’t inconsistency. It’s part of the process.

4. Have fun writing. Always. 💗

If writing doesn’t feel good anymore, stop for a bit. Do something else. Let life refill you. Writing should make your heart lighter, not heavier.

5. Be honest. Always.

Authenticity creates real connection. It’s what makes people stay. It builds trust. Don’t polish yourself for the internet. Be the person behind the words.

6. Don’t stress over your numbers.

It’s so easy to get caught up in them - especially in the beginning. Of course, they matter to some extent. You should look at your stats, learn from them, improve.
But don’t let them steal your joy. If you’re publishing just to grow as fast as possible or to switch on paid right away, it’s going to feel heavy. That road is only fun for people who already have a big email list or following somewhere else.
So ask yourself: where’s the fun in that? where’s your heart in that?

7. Get inspired from other substack writer.

There’s nothing wrong with starting your journey by looking at what other incredibly talented writers are doing - how they design their space, shape their posts and build their little corner of the internet. See what works for them, take notes, get inspired.
But don’t copy it one-to-one. Ask yourself: does this really fit me? does it reflect what I want to share here?

Make it your own. Take what resonates and stay true to yourself.
Here are a few publications that inspired and motivated me in the beginning:

Hannah Connolly

Alyson Rego

Anastasia Krogh

perfume & letters

sylvia’s journal

Hecate

If you ever thought about starting your own Substack - maybe this is your sign. :)
To stop overthinking.
To start small and start honest.
And to share the part of yourself that might help someone else feel a little less alone.

Because that’s what writing is, isn’t it?
A quiet way of saying: “I feel that too.”

If you’ve ever read something here and thought yes, that’s exactly it, this is where you can give a little love back. It keeps my words going.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and when you feel like it, you can answer these questions too:

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to share online but never did and what’s been holding you back?

thank you for being here and meeting my words with yours. i’m endlessly grateful for this little corner we share. 🤍