I Create Content but I'm Not A "Creator"
Is it okay if I get honest about my dreams?
I believe in this important distinction:
There’s a difference between content creators on social media who focus on making money through the content they’re creating vs. people who uses social media to market something else they’re doing.
First, let me be clear there’s nothing wrong with being a content creator by trade. I think it’s a brilliant way to use creativity and talent to make a living in the 21st century! Big fan. In fact…if you eventually pay to subscribe to my Substack, then technically that would make me a traditional content creator.
That said, I started my Instagram (@paring_down) in October 2023 as a way of getting the word out about my podcast that focuses on decluttering as a catalyst for intentional living: Paring Down. In fact, my original Instagram handle was @paringdownpodcast. I quickly realized, however, that the best way for me to get the word out to the masses was to make content that wasn’t explicitly about the podcast. These broader reels about realistic minimalism would drive my ideal audience to my page…and from there, they could discover my pod. Hence the name change to something more comprehensive (@paring_down).
Why am I telling you all of this?
Well, because if we’re going to be friends on Substack, I want you to know what you’re getting into! I don’t see myself as creator. Instead, I would call myself a podcaster and writer who happens to have a large following on social media.
If I’m going to vulnerably throw my dreams out there for the world to see, then I’ll openly share that I’d love to someday join the ranks of Gretchen Rubin , Greg McKeown, or Jen Hatmaker…not in that I want to be them, but I’d love a career that mirrors what they’ve accomplished. I want to write bestsellers, encourage audiences to expand their thinking, and host a show that simultaneously offers knowledge while paying the bills. Not in a “rah rah” self-help kind of way, but in a well-researched thought leader kind of way.
I’m somewhat on my way to that last one with the success of the Paring Down podcast, but we’ll see where life takes me with the rest of it.
At the moment…
I’m currently working on my book proposal, and hope to use Substack as another avenue for writing. I have no clue what I’m doing yet, but my fingers are very pleased with me for finding a platform where they can unleash their thoughts. (I always say that I really don’t know what my fingers are going to type…it’s like my subconscious escapes through them and blurts out whatever pops onto the page. The results often surprise even me!)
So here’s to more writing, continued success for the podcast, and a new adventure with all of you here on Substack! As always, I hope what I share will be the little nudge you need to live with less stuff and more intention.
