Why I've Left Substack

Today I decided to delete my Substack account. I haven’t been on it that long and only published two posts and a few notes, but already was beginning to feel overwhelmed by it. As well as subscribing to some of the lovely writers on it, many had subscribed to mine, for which I was grateful.

However, there are two main reasons I’ve taken this step. Although I’ve enjoyed reading some of the posts from those I agreed to receive, there were just too many in a day to keep up with – and it would only get worse as time goes on. I didn’t want to give writers' heartfelt words a cursory glance, or delete them without being read, but have a feeling that’s what would eventually happen.

The other reason is one I didn’t expect. In that short time, I was fed up with the number of men following me or subscribing to my account who didn’t seem to have any real profile or posts of their own. I’d even been messaged a few times by a couple of them through the ‘chat’ which I had no intention of using. It’s a nuisance on Instagram and I don’t want to have the same problem anywhere else. At least on Instagram, they have to request to follow me and I just delete them.

Substack can be a great place for writers, especially if you have no other platform, and it’s becoming ever more popular. Many people also ‘monetise’ their site, which is actively encouraged, but I would never have asked readers to pay to read my posts.

I now realise why I'd hesitated so long before joining, suspecting I’d find it all too much. I’ve given it a go and decided I’d rather continue using this blog on my website for any future posts I might want to write. Otherwise, I’m happy enough for now to keep the social media I already use: Facebook, X, Instagram and occasionally Pinterest which is all quite enough!

Thank you if you had subscribed to my Substack posts and I do hope you will continue to read future posts here on my website instead, or to connect with me on social media.

Rosemary