Wow Valerie this really resonated! I'll be honest, I've been feeling this way in August for sure. Coming down after the chateau, struggling to write pieces people really connect with, overwhelmed by the return to work and school. It's hard to create well and authentically when you feel stretched thin, but I love what you're publishing and I think you're well within your right to give yourself time to create slower :)
I can’t even imagine how wild of a rollercoaster it’s been for you since the chateau! hope your extending the same kindness & generosity to yourself as you show all of us Caroline ❤️ love you!
Thank you for laying down your thoughts into such poignant words. As someone who is trying something new as a form of creative outlet, it can be discouraging to go into the specific community full of other creators so talented that they're able to churn out high-quality output in record time. I know I'm not supposed to feel that way, but I can't help but to invite comparison. Thank you for giving me a different perspective on it, and for reminding me to be gentler with myself!
I opened substack in the morning because I was feeling anxious, and I'm so glad I read your essay. You truly put so many of my inner feelings into words. I can't express how relieved I felt after reading this. As someone who's also scared of pursuing a creative career (burnout, low pay, etc) but doesn't find fulfilment in anything else, this essay was like a deep breath. Thank you.
I came back here and I’ve done so a few times. I’m actually listening to an episode by one of my favs and she’s delving into a book called the sacred and the profane by Mircea Eliade - she brings up the concept of Zamani and I came back here again and reading the line “do I believe that my work isn’t valuable enough to be properly digested, appreciated in slowness, and returned to” hit different this time around because I am living proof that it is. And I’ll probably reread this article again and again
because it matters and it’s beautiful and it is true.
I love this so much. Thank you so much for this reminder. Appreciate you reminding me to become an interesting person who can think about interesting things!
Okay Valerie you phenomenal writer putting words to what I have felt and experienced myself. It’s funny because I am insanely jealous of your writing and platform and it’s wild to think you still have the same doubts that I have running through my mind (yes sorry been listening to Charli xcx again ha ha). I’m trying to really dig into why I’m writing, what actually is fun about writing… cause what the fuck am I doing here if it’s not fun, at least for me 😂 it’s weird to have insane engagement and then drop rapidly (I’m talking from my own experience) and it’s hard not to hinge your self worth on it… anyway, I’m rooting for you and I know you’re going to get a book deal one day. I legit have not read anyone like you on this platform - your words have a profound impact :’)
"I’m not moving fast enough doesn’t mean my craft alone won’t get me there. It may change, but in this moment, it matters more to preserve the structure of my interior than to do anything half-hearted for a bite of the reward"
Loved this line, it's like something I could use in my life right now. Doing it just for the sake of doing it to churn out pieces to maintain consistency defies the whole point of art in the first place. Yeah I know the world rewards someone who is always ten steps ahead, scraping the very last particles of their brain to give something mediocre but consistent. But imagine we all started writing for ourselves, and the writing catered to people as a byproduct. Never forget the essays should serve you first. Writing to relate and make people feel seen is a beautiful thing, but it should come from a place of authentic and natural flow of creative state. It shouldn't be forced. As an ardent fan of your art, I say no matter how long it takes , I will always come back. I crave for art that moves, art that I can quote ten years from now, art that I don't forget once I put my phone down. Yours is such. Your essays are not a product to consume that it's replaceable , it's a rare treasure that only a few of us were lucky to stumble upon . So we wouldn't easily give that away. Keep creating in your own pace,in a happy and healthy way. Love you ❤️
Wow Valerie this really resonated! I'll be honest, I've been feeling this way in August for sure. Coming down after the chateau, struggling to write pieces people really connect with, overwhelmed by the return to work and school. It's hard to create well and authentically when you feel stretched thin, but I love what you're publishing and I think you're well within your right to give yourself time to create slower :)
I can’t even imagine how wild of a rollercoaster it’s been for you since the chateau! hope your extending the same kindness & generosity to yourself as you show all of us Caroline ❤️ love you!
Thank you for laying down your thoughts into such poignant words. As someone who is trying something new as a form of creative outlet, it can be discouraging to go into the specific community full of other creators so talented that they're able to churn out high-quality output in record time. I know I'm not supposed to feel that way, but I can't help but to invite comparison. Thank you for giving me a different perspective on it, and for reminding me to be gentler with myself!
comparison kills greatness – i know it’s hard but having tunnel vision in the process helps <3 best of luck to youu
I opened substack in the morning because I was feeling anxious, and I'm so glad I read your essay. You truly put so many of my inner feelings into words. I can't express how relieved I felt after reading this. As someone who's also scared of pursuing a creative career (burnout, low pay, etc) but doesn't find fulfilment in anything else, this essay was like a deep breath. Thank you.
the first line, especially. It's like you stole the words stuck in my throat for such a long time and wrote them here
so glad it resonated 🫂 we must keep breathing!
resonated with this one very deeply. you captured this feeling so beautifully 💗
Thank you Kate ❤️
felt this one in my bones
❤️❤️
I came back here and I’ve done so a few times. I’m actually listening to an episode by one of my favs and she’s delving into a book called the sacred and the profane by Mircea Eliade - she brings up the concept of Zamani and I came back here again and reading the line “do I believe that my work isn’t valuable enough to be properly digested, appreciated in slowness, and returned to” hit different this time around because I am living proof that it is. And I’ll probably reread this article again and again
because it matters and it’s beautiful and it is true.
thank you so so much – here’s to more slowness this year ❣️
I deeply deeply deeply resonated with this ❤️
I’m so glad! Here’s to universal feelings 🙇🏻♀️❤️
this was truly amazing valerie <3
I love this so much. Thank you so much for this reminder. Appreciate you reminding me to become an interesting person who can think about interesting things!
Okay Valerie you phenomenal writer putting words to what I have felt and experienced myself. It’s funny because I am insanely jealous of your writing and platform and it’s wild to think you still have the same doubts that I have running through my mind (yes sorry been listening to Charli xcx again ha ha). I’m trying to really dig into why I’m writing, what actually is fun about writing… cause what the fuck am I doing here if it’s not fun, at least for me 😂 it’s weird to have insane engagement and then drop rapidly (I’m talking from my own experience) and it’s hard not to hinge your self worth on it… anyway, I’m rooting for you and I know you’re going to get a book deal one day. I legit have not read anyone like you on this platform - your words have a profound impact :’)
Thank you for this one.
"I’m not moving fast enough doesn’t mean my craft alone won’t get me there. It may change, but in this moment, it matters more to preserve the structure of my interior than to do anything half-hearted for a bite of the reward"
Loved this line, it's like something I could use in my life right now. Doing it just for the sake of doing it to churn out pieces to maintain consistency defies the whole point of art in the first place. Yeah I know the world rewards someone who is always ten steps ahead, scraping the very last particles of their brain to give something mediocre but consistent. But imagine we all started writing for ourselves, and the writing catered to people as a byproduct. Never forget the essays should serve you first. Writing to relate and make people feel seen is a beautiful thing, but it should come from a place of authentic and natural flow of creative state. It shouldn't be forced. As an ardent fan of your art, I say no matter how long it takes , I will always come back. I crave for art that moves, art that I can quote ten years from now, art that I don't forget once I put my phone down. Yours is such. Your essays are not a product to consume that it's replaceable , it's a rare treasure that only a few of us were lucky to stumble upon . So we wouldn't easily give that away. Keep creating in your own pace,in a happy and healthy way. Love you ❤️
this is the first post i’ve read of yours and your writing is gorgeous. a great read
This hit me deep @ the perfect time. Thank you sooo much 🥰