42 Days on Substack
Why I'm Calling it Quits
Oh goodness.
Where do I start?
42 days ago, I pressed publish on my first Substack post after being inspired by so many other publications. I thought this was the direction the internet world was taking.
And it is, somewhat, I suppose.
Substack seemed like the answer I was searching for—a place to funnel my energy from five different platforms into one. A place I could call HOME.
But I have yet to feel comfortable in this space.
The truth is, I already have an online home. I was just running away from it.
What’s Been Happening
Over the past year, my online business journey has been both a miracle and a struggle.
From 2021 to the beginning of 2023, KalynBrooke.com was losing money every month. I threw spaghetti at the wall trying to revive my dying business. It wasn’t until I pivoted into sharing about Notion that my business started growing again.
Meanwhile, my husband and I started our RV travel YouTube channel for the third time with incredible success.
So, for the last six months, I’ve felt torn between these two brands. Where do I focus? Can I manage both? Would someone just give me a road map? I have no clue what I’m doing.
Substack was meant to be THE answer… to my Kalyn Brooke brand, at least. If I focused on just one platform, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so scattered.
But Substack is not the right fit. At least right now.
And that’s extremely embarrassing to me.
To the 24 of you who believe in me enough to pay for this content. I’m sending your refunds today!
It’s extremely difficult to have a business mid-life crisis while in the middle of running two businesses.
The most important thing for me right now is to step back, press pause, and figure out what’s next without rushing into it headfirst.
I have some ideas on how to move my personal brand into a place I’m excited to create content for again (on the blog, YouTube, and even my email list)
But I need to make sure I’m in the right headspace first.
Is The Monday Files Over?
This Substack will sit quietly until I decide what to do with it. Part of my problem was creating similar content here (albeit a bit more personal) as my other platforms so it felt like they were competing with one another in a way. I might even pull The Monday Files name back over to my email newsletter.
I honestly don’t know yet.
I always have an abundance of ideas (too many!) and would love to turn this space into a book-devoted Substack or a business-only one. But I’d have to create content without the pressure of a set schedule, so Substack would become more of an outlet than a burden.
I still think this platform is a great place to write if you don’t have a website. Or if you want to start a niche newsletter that doesn’t fit with any of your other topics.
It’s just not my path right now.
If you’ve ever thought about starting a Substack, here’s my advice: test out this space with a free subscription for all posts—at least for a few months while you find your footing.
And if you’ve ever started a creative endeavor and kind of wish you hadn’t, don’t continue doing it to save face. We all deserve to put time and effort into something we love.
You don’t know what that is unless you try it.
You do not need to apologize.
We wear ourselves out worrying about what others think about our decisions and life choices. If you stop. I’ll stop.
You are absolutely and truly loved. Always remember that!
This is why I follow you. For your transparency, for your honesty. I feel like we are kindred spirits - I absolutely try to do all the things (not for my own business but my personal life) and I often beat myself up over how often I get into something to decide I don't like it - or it's not for me. It's refreshing to meet other people - even if I only read your posts - but it's important to me to KNOW there are other people out there with the same MANY interests. I'm cheering you on! I do love your content.