As far as your poll goes I selected "other" because I would say "all of the above". I'm a writer, artist, storyteller, creative... But now that I think of it when I'm talking to strangers at a cocktail party I usually say "I'm an artist" and when asked "what kind of art do you do" I reply "whimsical" and describe my current painting/sculpture/artist book project. Writing, storytelling and being creative is usually part of my project too... I suppose I use "artist" when talking in person as a shorter way to say all that. 🤣
And thank you so much for mentioning my work! I really appreciate it!!! 💚
I say "writer" when it needs to be shortened although it depends a lot on the vibe because there are those times I don't want to talk about my writing at all :) I love the "whimsical" part of your answer.
I hear you! We went to a family gathering yesterday and I was ready to just relax, not talk or think about work... When I was asked about my artwork tho I pulled up a few photos of a recent project, said a sentence or so, then asked them questions - and off we went to other topics 😁🤣
When you were talking about "like" button use... on my own posts I try not to look at how many likes I have. I avoid most of the stats generally too. What I look for, respond to and enjoy are people's comments. And yet when I'm looking at other people's posts I click the "like" button so they'll feel supported even when I don't make a comment. I prefer to comment on people's posts rather that just click "like" but sometimes my hand is sore so just clicking a button works better than typing. Sometimes when I post something I know a friend would enjoy seeing I'll look at the list of who "liked" my post and see if my friend is on the list. So I'm conflicted about the like button.
All makes sense to me. I don't look at it or stats much on my own either, but if the like continues to be an option that I do like to like other people's work :)
Thank you for including me in this wonderful line-up, Kathryn. And agree with Andrew Smith - we have a great community here. I’ve chosen ‘writer’ in your poll, but guess I’m possibly an ‘other’ at the same time :) Thank you again. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend 🧡
I really warm to the link between art and mental health. I think that they are linked and by engaging in art mental health improves. As a teacher I can see this time and again by using art to defuse and reconcile. 🤩 Thanks for bringing us this aceness.
Thanks - for the comment and for working as a teacher which is such important work in this world. I spent about a decade focused entirely on the therapeutic benefits of creating art which I still think is a very important thing. However, I came to see that there were times that art didn't help, sometimes even harmed, and also that mental health symptoms could alter art in many ways, and that's what I'm researching now to better assist myself and other artists to magnify the benefits of creating art while mitigating some of the challenges.
So delighted to have stumbled upon your work, Kathryn! Such a rich topic. And thank you again for the inclusion. Pleasure to be in such distinctive company.
Now that I’ve read all of this - wow there is so much great thought and content here! I love your focus on mental health and art. Honestly it was mental health that brought me to art too as well as why I must keep doing it. I don’t think I’ve read something as long as this in months (years?) because I’ve struggled to focus when reading. Which tells me how good this is because I read it despite the struggle. I think I’m currently paying more for subscriptions than I am taking in from subscriptions, lol, but I love the idea of tithing to my community of choice and if my subscriptions ever catch up I will be sure to keep that going. Thanks for bringing me back to reading something so good.
I am so glad that you were able to focus and enjoyed reading this. There is so much amazing writing here on Substack and part of why I put in the time and energy to do these posts each week is because it helps me focus and engage with that great writing in a more powerful way than just skimming through it which would be my default. I appreciate all of the work that you're doing here and I hope lots more inspiration comes your way.
I think building an awesome community is much more important and an intentional move than wanting to have the most likes on posts. As writers, it's important to write about things that align with us rather than the ones that are believed to perform well. Writing comes easy to me when I take off the pressure to please everyone else. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your substack. Great job!🧡
I love the point you've made that writing comes more easily when you remove the element of trying to please others. I was just reading in a post by For Dear Life with Maggie Smith that she says something like "one person's yuck is another person's yum." You can't please everyone but you can work towards pleasing yourself. <3
Human-ing is a strange thing :) I'm glad you're finding ease in it this week <3 <3
I think it's pretty cool that I've gotten to know some of these folks too. We have a nice little supportive community here.
Anything I can do to add to building and uplifting this community makes my heart happy.
So lovely to be included in this stellar gathering. Thank you!
If there were connections people of similar likes it would be ok but not really a fan.
Curious how you found the post if you're not a fan?
As far as your poll goes I selected "other" because I would say "all of the above". I'm a writer, artist, storyteller, creative... But now that I think of it when I'm talking to strangers at a cocktail party I usually say "I'm an artist" and when asked "what kind of art do you do" I reply "whimsical" and describe my current painting/sculpture/artist book project. Writing, storytelling and being creative is usually part of my project too... I suppose I use "artist" when talking in person as a shorter way to say all that. 🤣
And thank you so much for mentioning my work! I really appreciate it!!! 💚
I say "writer" when it needs to be shortened although it depends a lot on the vibe because there are those times I don't want to talk about my writing at all :) I love the "whimsical" part of your answer.
I hear you! We went to a family gathering yesterday and I was ready to just relax, not talk or think about work... When I was asked about my artwork tho I pulled up a few photos of a recent project, said a sentence or so, then asked them questions - and off we went to other topics 😁🤣
And I'm glad you liked my "whimsical" answer 🤣🤣
When you were talking about "like" button use... on my own posts I try not to look at how many likes I have. I avoid most of the stats generally too. What I look for, respond to and enjoy are people's comments. And yet when I'm looking at other people's posts I click the "like" button so they'll feel supported even when I don't make a comment. I prefer to comment on people's posts rather that just click "like" but sometimes my hand is sore so just clicking a button works better than typing. Sometimes when I post something I know a friend would enjoy seeing I'll look at the list of who "liked" my post and see if my friend is on the list. So I'm conflicted about the like button.
All makes sense to me. I don't look at it or stats much on my own either, but if the like continues to be an option that I do like to like other people's work :)
Thank you for including me in this wonderful line-up, Kathryn. And agree with Andrew Smith - we have a great community here. I’ve chosen ‘writer’ in your poll, but guess I’m possibly an ‘other’ at the same time :) Thank you again. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend 🧡
I am a writer-other also :)
I really warm to the link between art and mental health. I think that they are linked and by engaging in art mental health improves. As a teacher I can see this time and again by using art to defuse and reconcile. 🤩 Thanks for bringing us this aceness.
Thanks - for the comment and for working as a teacher which is such important work in this world. I spent about a decade focused entirely on the therapeutic benefits of creating art which I still think is a very important thing. However, I came to see that there were times that art didn't help, sometimes even harmed, and also that mental health symptoms could alter art in many ways, and that's what I'm researching now to better assist myself and other artists to magnify the benefits of creating art while mitigating some of the challenges.
So delighted to have stumbled upon your work, Kathryn! Such a rich topic. And thank you again for the inclusion. Pleasure to be in such distinctive company.
Been a pleasure to find your work as well.
Wow, what an honor to be included in this! I need to read it again and explore some of these links! Thank you so kindly.
Now that I’ve read all of this - wow there is so much great thought and content here! I love your focus on mental health and art. Honestly it was mental health that brought me to art too as well as why I must keep doing it. I don’t think I’ve read something as long as this in months (years?) because I’ve struggled to focus when reading. Which tells me how good this is because I read it despite the struggle. I think I’m currently paying more for subscriptions than I am taking in from subscriptions, lol, but I love the idea of tithing to my community of choice and if my subscriptions ever catch up I will be sure to keep that going. Thanks for bringing me back to reading something so good.
I am so glad that you were able to focus and enjoyed reading this. There is so much amazing writing here on Substack and part of why I put in the time and energy to do these posts each week is because it helps me focus and engage with that great writing in a more powerful way than just skimming through it which would be my default. I appreciate all of the work that you're doing here and I hope lots more inspiration comes your way.
I think building an awesome community is much more important and an intentional move than wanting to have the most likes on posts. As writers, it's important to write about things that align with us rather than the ones that are believed to perform well. Writing comes easy to me when I take off the pressure to please everyone else. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your substack. Great job!🧡
I love the point you've made that writing comes more easily when you remove the element of trying to please others. I was just reading in a post by For Dear Life with Maggie Smith that she says something like "one person's yuck is another person's yum." You can't please everyone but you can work towards pleasing yourself. <3
I love these roundups. I am so looking forward to the new one on writing!
Thanks! I hope you love it, too. First one emerges on Wednesday. I figure "writer Wednesday" could be my thing :)