I’m sorry to read all this. We need to read and view videos and photos with a pinch of salt… is it ai, is it real!? Who knows? It’s a risk we take as we share our words and writing with other readers. I find that when we write we open the door to clarity and answers. Thank you for writing this piece and showing a raw side of you and trusting us readers with your personal secrets. It helps me understand how another human being and writer is doing.
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me the resonance and synchronicity of our experiences of late—especially with this platform. I LOVE how you phrase everything. And I also resonate with the depression and melancholy—both of which I am prone. I suspect we both feel things deeply—which is why we care about such things, deeply. Proud and grateful to have you as a continued kindred spirit and pal. Side Note: one of my book “projects” this year is to read The Odyssey. Weirdly, I haven’t read it even though the book has sat on my shelf for decades AND the fact I did love The Iliad. I want to read the book before I see the movie (I’m certain you also believe that, on the whole, movies never do justice to the books they’re adapted from. And I also want to form my own vision of Odysseus instead of seeing Matt Damon on every page. I love Damon, but the gotta do a heavy lift in this instance.) Thank you my friend for the shout out and the lovely comment from my own post. 🙏🏼
I’m so glad to see you up and about! I know how depression goes, and I, too, have scaled things back compared to 2 years ago. I was putting too much pressure to post every week, and it was giving crap tons of anxiety. Meanwhile, Substack has changed quite a bit, and there are a lot more people writing. I’m looking for people who genuinely want to connect, and sometimes that’s hard.
You’re in my prayers. Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you, friend!
I was off Substack for all of March and most of April. Life got in the way, but the step back also did me good. You’re right, Matthew: Substack is only a platform for sharing ideas, and it’s good to remember that. Someone left a snarky comment on a recent note of mine asking why I had posted it. I didn’t engage. I just thought: because I had an idea to share. That’s all.
Happy to have found you and your writing - hang in there. You’ll get through this even though it will look different on the other side … which often is a view we couldn’t have imagined otherwise. And I second you on Ruth and Peco - I’m pretty new here and Ruth came alongside almost on day one. Take good care!
"I am enjoying the slower, measured pace now that I have made my peace with what this space is and isn’t." This is such an inspiration to me, Matthew.
And I so appreciate you talking about your ambivalence around being here, writing. I’ve been sorting through my own for some time, questioning why anyone would want to read what I have to write... but also what my relationship with Substack is costing me. I gave up other social media platforms some time ago for very good reasons. I’m not sure I know how to live in right relationship with them.
Hi Matthew. I am so glad that you've decided to continue to write here. Yours continue to be one I look forward to seeing/reading. I appreciate the view from Alexander Crow that you shared — that Substack can be a kind of personal library. I really like that. Cheers!
Once again, you share your truths with honesty and conviction. There is something powerful about writing. It helps us find our individual way, uncovers what to trust, what to dig into, what to learn from. Sharing of words, like you share with us, is a reminder of vulnerability. For many on Substack, there exists a search for validity, that what we say, have to offer on perspective, matters. Your words matter. I am glad you are here.
Dear Matthew, I have always appreciated your simultaneous authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable --- it has made you a very real person to me. Reading your work makes me feel like we are having a conversation rather than that you are pontificating about something or, even worse, selling something. That's what attracted me to Substack over 2 years ago, and those are the qualities I seek in the authors I read regularly. I too am dismayed by the peer pressure to use Notes and paid subscriptions in order to get noticed. Every time I think I "should" do more in that direction, I remind myself that I am not on Substack to be doing "shoulds." I am writing to be real, just as you are. I find that "likes" are not a good gauge of my readership. I keep running into friends and colleagues in places like the grocery store -- or like last week at the Pride Parade -- who tell me that they never hit "like," but they read everything I write and really appreciate it it. That's worth a million hearts, in my book. I wish you well in navigating your mental health journey. You have learned much from your Naval experience that will inform your future. As one of my psychology professors from undergrad days memorably said, "Mental health is competent coping." You are doing it.
Oh Matthew, I so feel this. Thank you for sharing. I think so many people can relate to your observations and feelings about Substack. I definitely find myself engaging in waves, and I love the idea of one's personal library. It makes so much sense! Every so often, I need to dip out for a little bit and recalibrate. It's not the best strategy for growing one's readership 😂 But I just have to be me. Sanity, wellbeing, presence come first. Substack should work for you, not the other way round. I can't wait for the Odyssey either!
I’m sorry to read all this. We need to read and view videos and photos with a pinch of salt… is it ai, is it real!? Who knows? It’s a risk we take as we share our words and writing with other readers. I find that when we write we open the door to clarity and answers. Thank you for writing this piece and showing a raw side of you and trusting us readers with your personal secrets. It helps me understand how another human being and writer is doing.
Sending positive energy your way. At whatever pace you decide to write and share I’ll be reading
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me the resonance and synchronicity of our experiences of late—especially with this platform. I LOVE how you phrase everything. And I also resonate with the depression and melancholy—both of which I am prone. I suspect we both feel things deeply—which is why we care about such things, deeply. Proud and grateful to have you as a continued kindred spirit and pal. Side Note: one of my book “projects” this year is to read The Odyssey. Weirdly, I haven’t read it even though the book has sat on my shelf for decades AND the fact I did love The Iliad. I want to read the book before I see the movie (I’m certain you also believe that, on the whole, movies never do justice to the books they’re adapted from. And I also want to form my own vision of Odysseus instead of seeing Matt Damon on every page. I love Damon, but the gotta do a heavy lift in this instance.) Thank you my friend for the shout out and the lovely comment from my own post. 🙏🏼
I’m so glad to see you up and about! I know how depression goes, and I, too, have scaled things back compared to 2 years ago. I was putting too much pressure to post every week, and it was giving crap tons of anxiety. Meanwhile, Substack has changed quite a bit, and there are a lot more people writing. I’m looking for people who genuinely want to connect, and sometimes that’s hard.
You’re in my prayers. Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you, friend!
When your name pops up in my notifications, I am excited to read your words immediately. Keep being you Matthew.
I was off Substack for all of March and most of April. Life got in the way, but the step back also did me good. You’re right, Matthew: Substack is only a platform for sharing ideas, and it’s good to remember that. Someone left a snarky comment on a recent note of mine asking why I had posted it. I didn’t engage. I just thought: because I had an idea to share. That’s all.
Sorry to hear about your lows, fella. I know exactly how they feel. Thankfully, the books are always there. And family. You've got this!
Great music. Thank you for linking.
It's always good to see your name among others' posts, Matthew. I admire your openness and honesty.
Happy to have found you and your writing - hang in there. You’ll get through this even though it will look different on the other side … which often is a view we couldn’t have imagined otherwise. And I second you on Ruth and Peco - I’m pretty new here and Ruth came alongside almost on day one. Take good care!
"I am enjoying the slower, measured pace now that I have made my peace with what this space is and isn’t." This is such an inspiration to me, Matthew.
And I so appreciate you talking about your ambivalence around being here, writing. I’ve been sorting through my own for some time, questioning why anyone would want to read what I have to write... but also what my relationship with Substack is costing me. I gave up other social media platforms some time ago for very good reasons. I’m not sure I know how to live in right relationship with them.
Hi Matthew. I am so glad that you've decided to continue to write here. Yours continue to be one I look forward to seeing/reading. I appreciate the view from Alexander Crow that you shared — that Substack can be a kind of personal library. I really like that. Cheers!
Once again, you share your truths with honesty and conviction. There is something powerful about writing. It helps us find our individual way, uncovers what to trust, what to dig into, what to learn from. Sharing of words, like you share with us, is a reminder of vulnerability. For many on Substack, there exists a search for validity, that what we say, have to offer on perspective, matters. Your words matter. I am glad you are here.
Dear Matthew, I have always appreciated your simultaneous authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable --- it has made you a very real person to me. Reading your work makes me feel like we are having a conversation rather than that you are pontificating about something or, even worse, selling something. That's what attracted me to Substack over 2 years ago, and those are the qualities I seek in the authors I read regularly. I too am dismayed by the peer pressure to use Notes and paid subscriptions in order to get noticed. Every time I think I "should" do more in that direction, I remind myself that I am not on Substack to be doing "shoulds." I am writing to be real, just as you are. I find that "likes" are not a good gauge of my readership. I keep running into friends and colleagues in places like the grocery store -- or like last week at the Pride Parade -- who tell me that they never hit "like," but they read everything I write and really appreciate it it. That's worth a million hearts, in my book. I wish you well in navigating your mental health journey. You have learned much from your Naval experience that will inform your future. As one of my psychology professors from undergrad days memorably said, "Mental health is competent coping." You are doing it.
Oh Matthew, I so feel this. Thank you for sharing. I think so many people can relate to your observations and feelings about Substack. I definitely find myself engaging in waves, and I love the idea of one's personal library. It makes so much sense! Every so often, I need to dip out for a little bit and recalibrate. It's not the best strategy for growing one's readership 😂 But I just have to be me. Sanity, wellbeing, presence come first. Substack should work for you, not the other way round. I can't wait for the Odyssey either!
I understand how you feel with gone awry plans, substack degradation, and depression. I look forward to reading your newsletter. All the best!