The notes boost challenge was amazing for me. I got to meet some great writers and share their work. And the process gave me a big jump in subscribers. To not be creating into a void felt truly wonderful. The win for me was feeling like a "real writer" because I was interacting with comments and shares. I can't wait for the next one to begin.
LOVE GETTING TO KNOW YOU ALL!!! This wasn't my best-performing post, but it was the first time I wrote something quickly that felt like a risk to me (vulnerable), in which y'all responded so kindly. If you haven't seen/commented/restacked, I humbly ask your consideration.
I could read a room like a map to my survival. Filled your glass before you were thirsty. Softened my voice so you wouldn’t get mad.
I became what was needed. Showed you the reflection you wanted to see.
But real love isn’t shape-shifting. It’s not vanishing on cue. It’s not severing myself to fit your story.
I’m not a balm. I’m a wildfire. And I’m giving myself room to burn.
Have you ever been in a situation where you realized you couldn’t repair the trust you once had, even though you wanted to regain it?
Sometimes, trust is too deeply broken to restore, despite our best efforts.
It's a painful truth, but an important one to recognize—especially if you're guiding others through conflict, leadership, or personal growth.
In this week's ValuesCrafting, I explore the moment when you must face that trust won't return—and how to move forward anyway, with clarity and self-respect.
I was able to participate only a few times, and I met some very lovely people, but none of my notes or subscribers took off. I did discover several writers and subscribed out of interest.
The Challenge was all about connection for me. I met so many people and learned to engage in the comments of other's posts and make meaningful connections. I fear my subscriber growth is modest compared to others, about 100 more than I had before. I look forward to meeting even more people in the next iteration. Here's my favorite post.
Susan, I have looked at my growth with a bit more differenciation and came up with a sure 10 I can definitely attribute to this boost. the 647 other are not at all boost related. So for me too it was all about connection and those I made are wonderful and worth the time I spent daily on this boost. Yet for the future I'd will cut that time from over an hour to under 20 Minutes, to be frank.
My 90-day graph looks like a mountain climb workout on the treadmill. Yes! Pushing uphill is the path to progress...working with resistance, gaining strength, and reflecting on lessons learned.
My experience of the Notes Boost reminds me of life: change happens slowly then all at once. My subscriber growth started out slow (after plateauing) and then it zoomed, putting me at #51 in Health and Wellness — that new Rising list you talked about, Sarah. I really wasn’t sure if the boost was working, until it was!
Loved, commented, restacked.
You are welcome, Rob!
PSYCHOLOGY // SUBSTACK
People don’t subscribe to perfection. They subscribe to connection.
https://substack.com/@drkatieblake/note/c-105646051?r=21yh83&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I’m so grateful for this challenge! I think I grew by ~40 subscribers, so I am celebrating! Thank you, Sarah! Hoping for another go-round on Monday…👀
Thank you so much for taking the time, Rob! I appreciate it!
YES! just subscribed to you for that reason, Katie.
Thank you so much, Michelle! 🥰
L/R
Thank you!
So thankful to connect during the Challenge, Katie!
Yes! Me too, Katie! Love your picture on your About page, btw! I'm not sure I would be brave enough! 🫣
The notes boost challenge was amazing for me. I got to meet some great writers and share their work. And the process gave me a big jump in subscribers. To not be creating into a void felt truly wonderful. The win for me was feeling like a "real writer" because I was interacting with comments and shares. I can't wait for the next one to begin.
Yay, Sue!!
Absolutely, Sue. What a gift the Challenge has been! I look forward to the next, too.
1. My greatest win was this note, which garnered 2 free subscriptions, 53 likes, and 145 clicks (nothing else even came close): https://substack.com/@bluecollarfugue/note/c-94629825?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=21rgz1
2. My FAVORITE note is this on the new series I'm starting for April (National Poetry Month). A Poem on the pressure to procreate:
https://substack.com/@bluecollarfugue/note/c-105920010
Happy National Poetry Month!
restacked. love!
Thank you!!
LOVE GETTING TO KNOW YOU ALL!!! This wasn't my best-performing post, but it was the first time I wrote something quickly that felt like a risk to me (vulnerable), in which y'all responded so kindly. If you haven't seen/commented/restacked, I humbly ask your consideration.
I could read a room like a map to my survival. Filled your glass before you were thirsty. Softened my voice so you wouldn’t get mad.
I became what was needed. Showed you the reflection you wanted to see.
But real love isn’t shape-shifting. It’s not vanishing on cue. It’s not severing myself to fit your story.
I’m not a balm. I’m a wildfire. And I’m giving myself room to burn.
https://substack.com/@mdowd/note/c-103789934
L/R
WOW. This one cut me to the core. I love. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing it, Michelle.
Michelle - for some reason it's showing as "not available". Maybe check the link?
L/C/R with pleasure!
Oh yes, such a wonderful note!
I nearly doubled my subscribers in the last 70 days.
But more than the numbers, it’s the connections that matter—writers who’ve become real friends.
That’s the part I never expected. And the part I’ll never take for granted.
Thank you Notes Boost Challenge.
Beautiful, Heather! I’m so grateful to have connected with so many amazing people here through this challenge!! 💛
Congratulations, that's amazing
TRUST BROKEN - UNABLE TO REPAIR
Have you ever been in a situation where you realized you couldn’t repair the trust you once had, even though you wanted to regain it?
Sometimes, trust is too deeply broken to restore, despite our best efforts.
It's a painful truth, but an important one to recognize—especially if you're guiding others through conflict, leadership, or personal growth.
In this week's ValuesCrafting, I explore the moment when you must face that trust won't return—and how to move forward anyway, with clarity and self-respect.
Read here: https://www.valuescrafting.com/p/when-trust-cant-be-repaired
Have you ever faced a moment when you knew trust wasn't returning? What helped you accept it?
https://substack.com/@susanheathfield/note/c-105950713
I was able to participate only a few times, and I met some very lovely people, but none of my notes or subscribers took off. I did discover several writers and subscribed out of interest.
CLIMATE | LIVING ACTIVISM
one minute conversation about living activism, from ‘the quiet rebellion’
https://substack.com/@appleturnover/note/c-105407699?r=n4i8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
L/R
CREATIVE PROCESS
The art is the evidence.
The process is the point.
https://substack.com/@lisaandersonshaffer/note/c-105823393
L/R! Love it!
L&C!
https://substack.com/@modernmythology/note/c-98716518
The Challenge was all about connection for me. I met so many people and learned to engage in the comments of other's posts and make meaningful connections. I fear my subscriber growth is modest compared to others, about 100 more than I had before. I look forward to meeting even more people in the next iteration. Here's my favorite post.
MODERN MYTHOLOGY
We need a new story.
The old one about power,
Dominion, over the earth
And all her creatures
Especially women
Is killing us.
What kind of Father
Sacrifices his son to torture,
And calls that Salvation?
A Divine Mother would never.
Inspire any of this.
L/R...I'm posting poetry all month for National Poetry Month. Here's my latest, if you're curious: https://substack.com/@bluecollarfugue/note/c-105920010
Susan, I have looked at my growth with a bit more differenciation and came up with a sure 10 I can definitely attribute to this boost. the 647 other are not at all boost related. So for me too it was all about connection and those I made are wonderful and worth the time I spent daily on this boost. Yet for the future I'd will cut that time from over an hour to under 20 Minutes, to be frank.
My 90-day graph looks like a mountain climb workout on the treadmill. Yes! Pushing uphill is the path to progress...working with resistance, gaining strength, and reflecting on lessons learned.
Love the treadmill reference. Perfect!
POETRY
In the room where I die
I make myself coffee,
in a pot,
Five times a day
I grind fresh beans,
pour hot water from the pot
into a Cup ,
In the room where I die,
I make my coffee
While I wait,
Five times
every day ,
And even in that waiting
I am yours
https://substack.com/@bukus/note/c-105733755?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=9brcu
L/R...I've got some poetry for National Poetry Month as well, if you're interested: https://substack.com/@bluecollarfugue/note/c-105920010
My experience of the Notes Boost reminds me of life: change happens slowly then all at once. My subscriber growth started out slow (after plateauing) and then it zoomed, putting me at #51 in Health and Wellness — that new Rising list you talked about, Sarah. I really wasn’t sure if the boost was working, until it was!
MY FAV NOTE FROM THE CHALLENGE - AGING PARENTS/ENDURING LOVE
My dad called this morning, his voice steady, certain.
"Can you pick me up from the mine? My shift’s over."
He hasn’t worked there in 35 years.
I could have corrected him, reminded him of the years gone by, the memories slipping away. But what would that change?
So, I did the only thing that made sense.
"I’m on my way."
https://substack.com/@heatherhausenblas/note/c-98423386
Gorgeous. L/C/R with pleasure. Brought a tear to my eye and a gulp in my heart too, as I am currently visiting my 95 year old mom.
Loved that one for sure
WELLNESS / SLOW LIVING / SPACIOUS LIVING/ FAVORITE NOTE…
Here’s what I know about journeys:
They don’t always add up, make sense, or go in a straight line.
I also know that the only way to receive their transformational gifts and hidden treasures
Is to walk them.
And keep walking them.
https://substack.com/@stephaniebennettvogt/note/c-65354189
Yes! Liked, restacked.
Thank you, Julie 🫶🏼
L/c/r
liked, restacked and subscribed.
Thank you, Tracy. 🙌🏼
MARRIAGE
Today’s my 4th wedding anniversary. 🥂 💛
In sum, I’ve learned this: Marriage is the most unnatural relationship you’ll ever be in.
I break it all down in my latest post:
https://substack.com/@jorianlayne/note/c-105956595