Once a Far-Fetched Dream, Now a Reality

My learnings from the journey to 100 subscribers on Substack.

Oct 10, 2023

It seems like yesterday when I decided to start my own blog because “I always wanted to build something I can call mine.” Fast forward to a year and a half later, my weekly emails are sent to 102 amazing people who are subscribed to Unwind.

People let go of their passion with a heavy heart because the fear of judgement from people they’ve never met takes over. It is scary to think that something you love doing is available forever for the world to see and judge. Unwind was that far-fetched dream for me. This journey to a 100 subscribers had moments of pride, self-doubt, comfort, anxiety, confidence and fulfilment.

Here’s what I learned in the last year and a half of sharing my writing with the world:

Start, or you will never know your potential

The idea of starting my own newsletter first came to my mind when I was 18. I was finally able to start Unwind before I turned 22. These four years in between were spent in getting over my lack of confidence in myself and my writing. I wanted to be perfect so that nobody could point out a mistake in whatever I shared online.

This last year, I have realised that unless you start, you will never know what you can truly do. (I never thought I’d be writing about 23 life lessons I learned so far when I turned 23.)

Rigidity kills, flexibility saves

I feel no shame to admit that I felt stuck and directionless with Unwind multiple times in the last year and a half. Most of us feel the same way when we set rigid goals. But life happens and we do not prepare for turbulence. This journey to 100 subscribers taught me to embrace flexibility while achieving my goals because not everything always goes according to plan. You have to pivot a thousand times and that's okay.

Consistency compounds

I wrote 63 newsletters consistently every week before hitting 100 subscribers. No matter what it is that you’re passionate about, just show up consistently and you will be rewarded sooner or later.

Be grateful for what you have now

Humans always desire what they don’t have. We often forget to celebrate reaching milestones that meant the world to us in the past because we’re already chasing something bigger.

This journey taught me to pause and appreciate that 100 people still choose to read my words every week, even though I wish it could be more.

Revisit your ‘WHY’

I started Unwind because I love thinking about how I can build my life with intention. This space has nudged me to take action towards a peaceful and intentional life more times than I can remember.

This week, I encourage you to give yourself the grace to do things that bring you fulfilment but were put off by you due to fear of judgement from the world.

Unwind