💯
When I decided to create a Substack page a few weeks ago, I didn’t have any particular aspirations for it. I had missed writing for a public audience, I wanted a place to share my story about changing careers, and (relatedly) I found myself with more time to do it. It was as simple as that.
I figured I’d get some obligatory subscriptions from family and friends, and maybe a few supportive people from social media, but I had no expectation that it get beyond that. It wasn’t a way to make money or a statement about being canceled by a more-conventional outlet, as Substacks so often are. I didn’t even know what my blog would ultimately be about. And frankly, given the breadth of what’s captured my attention since — from polling data to cheesesteaks, Jewish holidays to Spider-Man — I still don’t.
Well, the other day I got this email from Substack:
I don’t want to sound completely unjaded — in the grand scheme of internet writing, 100 people isn’t that many. It’s fewer readers than I had when I was blogging about sports more-regularly, or even than people who see the Simpsons memes I post on Twitter. But it’s way beyond where I expected The Lewsletter’s subscriber-base to be after barely a month of scattered essays. For 100 people (now even more than that!) to be not only interested in what I write if they happen upon it on Facebook or Twitter, but to care enough to take the time to sign up for emails? I’m surprised, I’m humbled, and most of all I’m grateful.
So, if you’re receiving this post by email, thank you so much for your subscription and support. If you’re just reading this while browsing The Lewsletter, I still appreciate you, and I’d love it if you signed up as well. And if you really find my work interesting or insightful — or at least adequate enough to hold your attention for a couple minutes — I’d be thrilled if you shared it in your social-media circles, or even passed it along to a friend or two.