Note to My Readers: Changes Are Coming?

This Sunday will be my last article posted in 2025. And I wonder what is next for me.

I’ve done my best to be consistent in posting a weekly article for about eight months (since I started on Substack). It has been challenging due to many health issues, including ongoing issues with my wrists. Many of my articles have been created at the cost of pain. Unfortunately, voice to text is not a solution, as I also have been having neck and vocal issues.

I’ve watched my subscriber count grow when I can physically be more present on the platform between articles, and fall when I can’t. I’ve felt the frustration of having the necessary motivation to be here more, but often lacking the physical capability. Yet this is maddeningly invisible to the algorithm that determines my fate (and invisible to most readers).

I’ve gained a lot of subscribers, but not so many actual readers. For those who have been reading my articles and telling me that they are meaningful to you - I appreciate you so much! You are the people I am writing for - and of course I have also been writing for myself.

I proved to myself I could be consistent for eight months, no matter what. And that stands for a lot.

But I’m not sure what next year holds for me. I have a lot of thinking and processing to do about how to move forward on this platform, as well as in many aspects of my life.

It’s been my pleasure to be a source of light to others in dark times, even when I myself have often felt in the dark this past year – physically, financially, and sometimes emotionally.

The many wonderful people I have connected with through my articles have been like mana for my soul. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate all the kind human beings who have read and commented, interacted with me through Substack notes, or given me feedback outside the platform.

I definitely want to retain these connections and grow them in the year ahead. At the same time, the high physical cost of writing and my increasingly dire financial situation compels me to consider new ways of moving forward that could better support my life needs.

I don’t know exactly what this looks like right now. I will certainly keep you posted when I figure it out!

If you’re reading this, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I hope that my articles this year have inspired and uplifted you.

If you are figuring things out too, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What are your plans for the new year - in Substack or in general?