We are haunted by what we don’t know
And that not knowing is distracting creators from more important things.
For several months, I have written on two separate sections of my Freelance Jungle Substack quite happily. I say quite happily because I believe part of it is the secrecy I feel about these thoughts being out there but not.
Let me explain.
The writing and the sending part has been easy.
The technical side? Not so much. I still don’t know how people sign up to different sections. Or what it looks like for the reader. Or how to encourage the people who read the Substack how to choose their own adventure of the short, newsletter, and deep content I offer.
I get fired up to learn when away from the computer only to wilt like lettuce as soon as I am in a position to change thing. I’m not sure I can be bothered finding out how to do it. And equally bothered by the fact that by not doing so I might be missing some wonderful opportunity or pissing off my readers.
Instead, I remain somewhere between undereducated and ignorant, blissfully unaware and bugged by incapability, tapping away at content but too sick of attending technology university to keep up with platforms, plugins, applications, and enshitification that encircles me.
How very Gen X of me. Dying to stay relevant and rebellious with no patience for anything outside plug and play compatibility.
I am haunted by what I don’t know, strangely revelling in the obscurity it brings.
Image: messing about in Zine culture for Patreon supporter ideas, including collages of social media, splatter art, and calls to arms.
Creating to your energy
The other day, I lamented that I create things but rarely circle back. Repurposing content is a utopia, an abstract ideal.
“You’re a creator. You’re happiest when creating things,” said a matter-of-fact friend.
Of course, I know this.
Ideas I can grab with both hands, squish into intelligible shape, and yank live by five are the ones that fuel me. This Substack is newsletter is proof of that.
Yet I struggle to reheat the leftovers of my labour and repackage them to feed the digital world. And I don’t like myself for it. It seems like such a wasteful way to do things.
Pushing it however invites procrastination and a different kind of pain.
But am I really that different?
This is not a new problem. But a new tension has arisen.
How do I keep pace with a society that thrives on regurgitation? Especially when I unwind my head by creating from sparks of things?
What are your ideal creative conditions?
I’ve come to understand my most productive day is a series of dominoes.
My ideal creative setup is:
Waking early and reading with a pen in hand, taking notes and writing while drinking coffee. A walk around the lake followed by physio, a hot shower, and breakfast over emails. Following the TO DO list I write on Sunday night, knowing my relationship with Mondays (which I hate) and Fridays (where I rebel) intimately.
My ideal idea capture is:
A good title for the project, Background, Objective, Execution, Results OR what my Wish, Obstacles, Objectives, Plan might look like. Bullet points always, fitting to my A5 journal page.
My ideal idea working rhythm is:
Set things up exactly like they were when it started. Morning starts, day sprints, sweaty and semi-workable by end of day. Use the idea capture to create free form the body, pantser style to get as much down before the spark extinguishes. Here, the idea better be mewling at me enough that I cannot ignore it, else it is destined for obscurity. A few days break and then I edit it mercilessly.
Why it works is equally as simple and alchemic:
My ideal creative setup
· Begins without pressure or expectation
· Allows me to dream and play first, and then fill in the details
· Wake up excited to be here by feeling free
My ideal idea capture
· Reduces the overthinking by design
· Holds me accountable to the audience
· Shows me all the cycles of the project easily
My ideal working rhythm
· Makes my only competition myself and the clock
· Engages my curiosity
· Gives me the freedom others might deny me
But most of all, it does not demand attention, time, and a commitment that is beyond me.
And that gets me wondering:
The content that crows about monetising Substack or how to succeed on Instagram, are they really trying to strike it rich or celebrating their graduation and patience?
They’re not influencing. They’re graduating from Plugin and Platform University.
Perhaps age is making me intolerant of technology’s insistence we devote our lives to their creations and the broligarchy’s behest we dance to their chaotic tune. Or maybe, it is simply I’ve seen this play out before. And know it doesn’t win you anything.
Events you won’t want to miss
Office Hours
Book in 15 minutes of help from yours truly as part of Patreon’s Office Hours on Wednesday 26th February (TOMORROW). See Patreon for details.
Meet for a coffee, beer, and chat
Let’s unplug and talk creativity at the following in-person events in Melbourne, Canberra, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Sydney, Geelong.
RSVP via the Facebook events section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelancejungle/events
Virtual coworking
Join Freelance Jungle Patreon supporters for two hours of solid work on the second Friday of every month from 9:30am Sydney time.
Digital Crafternoons
Create with Hayley on Zoom
Every second month on Friday arvos from 1pm Sydney time. Starts March 21st 2025.
Read about
Respecting the space after launch.
Are you choosing the media over the social? Why?
The dos and donts of admiring work.
Quiet freelance sparks to keep you going.
Cheer along
Brooke as she makes colouring in books. Anna as she takes you through distributing your audiobook with ease. And Anna and Emma are running a unique author’s retreat in the Hunter Valley. Lou shared some kitty love with this great rescue website. Jac is calling for entries in the Gallipoli art prize. VOTE in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award (and support freelancer David Blumenstein in the process!). Sandy spent the summer celebrating her love of horses, digital style.
Looking for freelance content, or want to feature yours? Join us every Thursday to show us what you’ve got.
Book me for coaching, strategy, and more to cut through distractions of your own.
Love and other reasons to rebel,
Rebekah
About your author
I have been freelancing in content, community management, business coaching, and strategy and planning since 2010. I’m also a well-known freelance advocate who has been connecting and championing Australian and New Zealander freelancers since 2012. I helped us get JobKeeper when we were overlooked, run campaigns to encourage client respect, embrace financial transparency to improve your literacy, and champion our mental health.