5 Reasons Why Substack is My Rabbit Hole
While the world is mad, I turn to Substack wonderland.
Facebook was not for me, from the very beginning. Instagram was it for me for a time, in its tender years. Lately though, I am off the gram for the same reasons I am not on Facebook. It has become noisier, nosier and nonchalant.
I’ve found my rabbit hole in Substack. In whatever world you are in today, a rabbit hole helps. We are expected to open ourselves to new experiences, feed our curiosity and embrace discovery whether within or without.
Here are some reasons why Substack is my portal of wonderland.
It has replaced my daily fix of news and recreational reading, transporting me to a world of long-form reading.
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?”
Lewis Carroll
News portals, lifestyle sites and ezines were my go-to for satisfaction of a voracious appetite for reading. I know these sources feed on sensationalism, immediate impact and brevity to capture and retain my attention, that reading has already become thoughtless. To some extent, they have become dull, lifeless or too glaring of reality, not leaving anything for the imagination. I need something that informs, inspires and satisfies.
The writing in Substack halted my mindless scrolling habit and regimental opening of tab after tab after tab.
Almost every click on posts in Substack allows me quality reading.
Substack is a source of independent voices that opens up worlds and worlds of thoughtful perspectives.
“I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.”
Lewis Carroll
When Alice entered the rabbit hole, she rejected passivity and embraced a role of adventure and curiousity, exposing herself to bizarre but captivating experiences from different perspectives. Jumping from one newsletter to another in Substack brings me to a myriad of writing realms. When chosen with prudence, one strikes gold in the newsletter at hand. Since Substack, I have entered diverse, thought-provoking spaces.
Winston of Coffee Times is my Starbucks in Substack where meaningful chats with the barista are never mundane and generosity of sharing and community is nurtured organically. The coffee is better with Winston though.
I always find my way with Rebecca’s Dear Reader, I’m Lost. She is an insightful reader of co-creators in Substack. Her Letters to Terry and Art & Treasures sections of the newsletter are treasure troves of words and artistry.
Dr. Stacy Wentworth generously shares her expertise in a most feared topic. Cancer. Cancer Culture encourages a safe space to talk about cancer to increase mankind’s fighting chance against the disease. Oh, Dr. Stacy talks about romance too.
Supernova to me is a world of perceptive prompts that help me navigate my writing. Warren Brown’s storytelling cuts across wisdom and creativity, kindness and generosity.
For postcard-like writing and photos, I visit Laura Pashby’s Small Stories. I first encountered Laura in her quiet nook on IG at Circle of Pines.
Marcus Malesela’s passion and energy for life overflows in The Human In You, spilling over to me. His words remind me of what it means to be human. Whenever I am stuck, a post from his newsletter gets me back in the saddle.
Perhaps, it is Catherine and Glen’s space that is closest to what I write about. Their story of adopting 5 teens from Guatemala resonated with the life I live. Parenting Matters shares stories and experiences on the art and science of parenting.
So you see, Substack has given me countless writing universes to explore. Mindless scrolling is no longer a problem.
It provides a venue for meaningful connection and insightful comment exchange.
“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Lewis Carroll
As one Substacker said, “The party is in the comments.” It is true. I go to some newsletters for the comments section as the engagement is palpable and raw. Humorous comments, encouraging words, spirited debates. Everything is quite organic.
The direct line to writers also fosters a sense of support and community among writers. I just wish feedback among writers were less generic and more specific. I would love to have someone tell me what I am doing wrong. Or what I am doing right.
Substack keeps me curious.
“Curiouser and curiouser!”
Lewis Carroll
There is more to what I know about the world. It is arrogant to think that only what I currently know warrants my attention. When I stumble across topics beyond my logic, I am pulled toward the unknown as I read about things I encounter for the first time, things that are the opposite of what I know, things that challenge what I know to be true. I am kept curious and wanting. This keeps me alive. And writing.
I can create fearlessly supported by a community of writers and thinkers, without making anyone feel ‘small.’
"You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are."
Lewis Carroll
I am in awe of the ‘big’ writers sharing their space at Substack. A fulfilling experience for me is finding a newsletter I like, without knowing about the writer’s background. In the reading journey, I later find out that the author is a New York Times bestseller, with a roster of accolades under her writing belt. Hey, I liked the writing foremost, not the writer beforehand. I am happy about that.
Writing among the best in a supportive, thriving community makes the journey friendlier and fulfilling.
And then, there are the Substackers you become close to, as your writing resonates with theirs. The connection is valuable and precious. To know that someone on the other end reads your work and rallies behind you keeps your stay in Substack worthwhile.
I’ve found some Cheshire cats in Substack. A lot of Mad Hatters. One Queen of Hearts. I have yet to find my Substack catterpillar. In Alice’s nonsensical universe, rules of physics and the status quo are suspended allowing creativity and imagination. Substack to me is a parallel universe as it sets the stage for a writing and reading adventure. I open the app, not knowing where I will end up.
So far, I always end up somewhere good.
White rabbit here too ❤️