I feel this. AND....I've spent the past 2 decades in a career in which my work is constantly devalued (I teach yoga/movement, primarily online now -- actually writing a piece about this, soon). I've always considered myself a writer. I've been sending newsletters for years and even had a blog for awhile on my own website before that became exhausting.
I love writing and spent a long time crafting really intentional newsletters that I didn't get much feedback on and didn't get paid for any of it. In fact, much of my work is unpaid or underpaid.
All of this is to say, I'm finally in my "fuck you pay me" era. I'm tired of producing good work for pennies.
I provide a lot of free content here and on YouTube and on instagram. I am happy to do this. But my generosity cannot pay my mortgage.
I think capitalism tricks us into believing a lot of things -- that if we work for an organization, for example, the organization gets paid and the benevolent leaders of said organization will distribute the money fairly and appropriately. But that's not what happens.
So now, here we are in late stage capitalism, individuals pushing to get paid for our individual work (like we do here, to an extent, on substack -- or like how I have my own online studio instead of working for various studios).
I don't think this is a bad thing. We still exist in a capitalist world but are trying to bypass some of the problematic structures (yes, substack has some major issues. it is an imperfect platform).
Like you, I identify as anti-capitalist (among other things).
I don't love putting a value on the work I do. I also need to feed my family and save for my kids future.
I think it's great that you are putting some of your work behind a paywall. Will it slow your progress? At first, maybe. Or it might spur folks who really do value your work to support you financially.
I personally don't have a lot of paid subscribers, so my paid posts don't get a lot of eyes on them and that does suck, a little. But I believe that it is worthwhile to remind people that your time is valuable, that your skills are valuable, and your word are valuable.
That free labor actually doesn't help anyone (particularly in the world we live in currently).
And I know this became an epic comment. I guess I had a lot to say. And I personally loved your thoughtful approach to this question.
I kept my Substack free and never got a patreon because for so long I didn't feel comfortable "charging for my words" until I was a published author. Sometimes our limiting beliefs hold us back in tremendous ways because there are some who have the means to support financially, and want to. I'm glad we both pushed past that. I'm sitting at 20 paid subscribers and that's 20 more than I would have if I kept believing I shouldn't receive funds for what I put out in the world.
I can relate to so much of this (and thank you for the shout-out!). I still feel deeply conflicted about having "chosen" (more like fallen into) a career that paid so little that I qualified for benefits while holding a manager's title; but I am also conflicted about having jumped ship from journalism into PR (aka the dark side). Capitalism ruins everything!!
Indeed! This is the first time I've actually referred to myself as an anticapitalist, though I'd rather define myself in terms of what I'm for rather than against.
I really liked your assessment on the purpose of non-profits. I’ve worked for a few and have felt the same tension of are we actually making an impact? Wouldn’t it be more impactful to make systematic change so we don’t need to exist? Why are we wasting time in zoom meetings that could be emails???
Overall I appreciate your transparency about your relationship with money, work and motherhood! Great piece. Get yo money honey!!!
💯 when it comes to systemic change vs. bandaid solutions! I know we need both (i.e. we can't just let people go hungry while we wait to fix our economy) but historically I think the nonprofit sector has been too focused on charity and not enough on actually getting to the root of society's ills. And also, nonprofits can't change the system by themselves -- they need the support and buy-in of other sectors!
I feel this. AND....I've spent the past 2 decades in a career in which my work is constantly devalued (I teach yoga/movement, primarily online now -- actually writing a piece about this, soon). I've always considered myself a writer. I've been sending newsletters for years and even had a blog for awhile on my own website before that became exhausting.
I love writing and spent a long time crafting really intentional newsletters that I didn't get much feedback on and didn't get paid for any of it. In fact, much of my work is unpaid or underpaid.
All of this is to say, I'm finally in my "fuck you pay me" era. I'm tired of producing good work for pennies.
I provide a lot of free content here and on YouTube and on instagram. I am happy to do this. But my generosity cannot pay my mortgage.
I think capitalism tricks us into believing a lot of things -- that if we work for an organization, for example, the organization gets paid and the benevolent leaders of said organization will distribute the money fairly and appropriately. But that's not what happens.
So now, here we are in late stage capitalism, individuals pushing to get paid for our individual work (like we do here, to an extent, on substack -- or like how I have my own online studio instead of working for various studios).
I don't think this is a bad thing. We still exist in a capitalist world but are trying to bypass some of the problematic structures (yes, substack has some major issues. it is an imperfect platform).
Like you, I identify as anti-capitalist (among other things).
I don't love putting a value on the work I do. I also need to feed my family and save for my kids future.
I think it's great that you are putting some of your work behind a paywall. Will it slow your progress? At first, maybe. Or it might spur folks who really do value your work to support you financially.
I personally don't have a lot of paid subscribers, so my paid posts don't get a lot of eyes on them and that does suck, a little. But I believe that it is worthwhile to remind people that your time is valuable, that your skills are valuable, and your word are valuable.
That free labor actually doesn't help anyone (particularly in the world we live in currently).
And I know this became an epic comment. I guess I had a lot to say. And I personally loved your thoughtful approach to this question.
Love everything you said! As you mentioned, it's great to be anticapitalist on an intellectual level, but that mortgage still has to get paid...
I kept my Substack free and never got a patreon because for so long I didn't feel comfortable "charging for my words" until I was a published author. Sometimes our limiting beliefs hold us back in tremendous ways because there are some who have the means to support financially, and want to. I'm glad we both pushed past that. I'm sitting at 20 paid subscribers and that's 20 more than I would have if I kept believing I shouldn't receive funds for what I put out in the world.
I got a lot out of reading this thoughtful piece, thank you!
I can relate to so much of this (and thank you for the shout-out!). I still feel deeply conflicted about having "chosen" (more like fallen into) a career that paid so little that I qualified for benefits while holding a manager's title; but I am also conflicted about having jumped ship from journalism into PR (aka the dark side). Capitalism ruins everything!!
Indeed! This is the first time I've actually referred to myself as an anticapitalist, though I'd rather define myself in terms of what I'm for rather than against.
I'm v comfortable with "socialist" but I know that doesn't fit for everyone!
I really liked your assessment on the purpose of non-profits. I’ve worked for a few and have felt the same tension of are we actually making an impact? Wouldn’t it be more impactful to make systematic change so we don’t need to exist? Why are we wasting time in zoom meetings that could be emails???
Overall I appreciate your transparency about your relationship with money, work and motherhood! Great piece. Get yo money honey!!!
💯 when it comes to systemic change vs. bandaid solutions! I know we need both (i.e. we can't just let people go hungry while we wait to fix our economy) but historically I think the nonprofit sector has been too focused on charity and not enough on actually getting to the root of society's ills. And also, nonprofits can't change the system by themselves -- they need the support and buy-in of other sectors!