As a weekly reader, I think I'm more interested in other thoughts in your head than your subscriber count. Maybe because I'm already counted and why should I care about others.
Awww, thanks for mentioning me! My theory is the obsessive behavior comes from feeling anxious or unsettled, but then perpetuates it. I have the ones I struggle with too! I’m using an app called ClearSpace now to keep me from obsessively checking certain apps and email! Wish I could use it with Teams at work…
Absolutely love this. And love the footnote! You’re so right it is a Carny game! The other day I posted my first short on YouTube and got 4k views. And since then not a single short has even come close to that number. That number gave me some kind of hit that I was desperately trying to experience again until I realised “hang on why am I doing this?” I think there’s something in the ether at the moment as I’ve read similar sentiments the last couple of days 🥰
This is such a great, true post. Thank you, Robyn. I used to have all of those same expectations about how life would be once I got that book deal, that follower, that mention. And I realised it wasn't ever going to make any difference as my happiness and self-worth didn't depend on any of those things. And that none of it matters. So I now spend lots of time looking at other things than stats - the birds in the garden, the clouds scudding across the sky.
I don't check to see how many people read a post after I send it. I had a new book out recently and, unlike when the last two were published, I haven't been looking to see my Amazon rankings and reviews. I have adopted the advice from the Tao Te Ching about all of my writing: “He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.” The only thing I want for my writing now is to do the best I can before I let it go.
As a weekly reader, I think I'm more interested in other thoughts in your head than your subscriber count. Maybe because I'm already counted and why should I care about others.
Interesting read on expectations.
I love you.
Awww, thanks for mentioning me! My theory is the obsessive behavior comes from feeling anxious or unsettled, but then perpetuates it. I have the ones I struggle with too! I’m using an app called ClearSpace now to keep me from obsessively checking certain apps and email! Wish I could use it with Teams at work…
Absolutely love this. And love the footnote! You’re so right it is a Carny game! The other day I posted my first short on YouTube and got 4k views. And since then not a single short has even come close to that number. That number gave me some kind of hit that I was desperately trying to experience again until I realised “hang on why am I doing this?” I think there’s something in the ether at the moment as I’ve read similar sentiments the last couple of days 🥰
This is such a great, true post. Thank you, Robyn. I used to have all of those same expectations about how life would be once I got that book deal, that follower, that mention. And I realised it wasn't ever going to make any difference as my happiness and self-worth didn't depend on any of those things. And that none of it matters. So I now spend lots of time looking at other things than stats - the birds in the garden, the clouds scudding across the sky.
I don't check to see how many people read a post after I send it. I had a new book out recently and, unlike when the last two were published, I haven't been looking to see my Amazon rankings and reviews. I have adopted the advice from the Tao Te Ching about all of my writing: “He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.” The only thing I want for my writing now is to do the best I can before I let it go.
Its incredible that some numbers can give you so high dopamine kick. Its kind of ridiculous when I think about it.
I think I need to stop checking those subs numbers too. Its so depressing when it get lower.😩 Better to spend happy thought on something more fun !
I totally know that “hold your hand up to block the number” move. I do it, too. Really understand where you are coming from here.