Burnout and overwhelm on Substack is real.
and I had a great conversation about the delicate balance of creative sustainability on Substack and how to include it in our creative lives. We discussed early burnout signals, strategies to manage content overwhelm, and the importance of defining personal metrics that serve your wellbeing rather than chasing platform trends.Here are some highlights:
Know your limitations: Recognize your personal capacity and warning signs. For Landon: anxiety, sleep issues, and stimulant cravings; for Darien: irritability, frustration, and diminished creative joy.
Quality over quantity: Be intentional about your platform engagement. Honor your natural rhythm while remaining attentive to what resonates.
Define your "why": Clarity about your Substack purpose helps align efforts with meaningful goals, distinguishing between metrics that matter to you versus those that don't. Resist comparison with creators who have different objectives and may come to the platform with established skillsets and readership.
Content balance: Find the sweet spot between content that fills you creatively and content that performs well.
Play and experimentation: Treat Substack as a creative playground that encourages healthy risk-taking. Try new things and pivot when something doesn’t work. Readers appreciate authenticity over perfection, and most aren’t watching that closely or keeping score.
Beyond metrics: External validation (i.e. likes) doesn't necessarily translate to subscribers or income. Define your own success metrics based on your goals.
Sustainability first: The only guaranteed failure is quitting. A sustainable practice you can maintain consistently outweighs unsustainable growth that leads to burnout.
Here are some additional resources to help you battle Substack fatigue and re-energize your creative momentum:
From Landon:
Finding Existential Meaning In Your Work Is More Valuable Than Likes, Followers, And Yes, Money
Substack Growth For Creators Who Refuse To Hustle: You Don’t Need to Post More to Grow On Substack
From Darien:
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