Hi Angie, I found your insightful post serendipitously today. You wrote it so beautifully from the heart. Like you, I have been exploring the concept of 'belonging' for a long time. The first time I understood its importance and true value was when I was conducting ethnographic studies, where it helped me contribute to the body of knowledge. Later, as a global citizen living in many countries, I realized how critical it is for our survival, health, joy, and mental well-being. Interestingly, I didn’t feel at home on Substack until 2024 because of my addiction to another platform, Medium. Eventually, I realized that the problem wasn’t Substack but my approach to it. When I changed my perception and started seeing it as a home, everything dramatically changed. Initially, I felt awful about neglecting such a creator-friendly platform in favor of another platform that rejected me, almost like being in an abusive relationship. Your beautiful story inspired me to write about this experience and share it with the community I’ve built here. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community, and I look forward to exploring your ideas and stories. I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed experience here on Substack, Dr. Mehmet. Interestingly, this post has seemed to resonate with quite a few new followers, which has been a very happy benefit that I never saw coming.
It seems you have found quite a few readers here on Substack…that’s encouraging, and I’m happy you have found a place where you belong and feel at home.
Thanks for being here and for your well wishes! I hope your 2025 is also happy, healthy, and prosperous.
What a great exercise! I've been trying to come up with a three word "mercy" - a three word blurt or phrase that lifts me every week (https://mondaymercies.substack.com/), and I feel like this is an even more disciplined version! Amazing how even adding an -ing can change meaning, yes?
That’s also a cool practice! And yes, adding it subtracting from a word does change the meaning sometimes. Thanks for commenting. I look forward to your 3-word mercies.
Also, checking out your publication - I love the work toward uplift! I saw a post from @jessicahetherington today on needing more light bringers, and resonated with what you're doing here!
Hi Angie! Oh, sounds like a wonderful practice to let the word choose us rather than the other way around. Belonging is beautiful, I hope you'll experience more of that feeling throughout this year. I also hope you're finding a way to feel more belonging here on Substack. I personally chose "live" to get more out of my own head. Thank you for sharing your insights 🙏✨
Julia…what a great choice! Thank you for sharing. Yours is a good reminder for all of writers, as it’s easy to go down mental rabbit holes and hibernate for a bit. And thanks for the well wishes…everything in good time, I suppose. I’m glad you’re here. ❤️
What a thoughtful, wonderful word for 2025, Tom! And if I may say, there might never be a more important year in our lifetimes to do this very thing!!! Interestingly, I made the difficult, yet important choice to change my faith denomination at the end of 2024 to one that more closely aligns with my personal values. I want people in the margins to know I am a safe place for them…and so is my church.
Thank you for leaving this comment…it is much appreciated!
I’m not a New Year’s resolution guy. I love your word for this year though. And I’m new-ish to Substack this year…but truly appreciate the people I’ve connected with. And that includes you!
My word also chooses me - this year it is portion.
I’m excited to learn more about this, dear friend.
me, too :)
I’ve been doing the One Word practice as well . My word for this year is UNINHIBITED
Thanks for sharing.
Flourishing
What a magnificent choice, Windblown!
Hi Angie, I found your insightful post serendipitously today. You wrote it so beautifully from the heart. Like you, I have been exploring the concept of 'belonging' for a long time. The first time I understood its importance and true value was when I was conducting ethnographic studies, where it helped me contribute to the body of knowledge. Later, as a global citizen living in many countries, I realized how critical it is for our survival, health, joy, and mental well-being. Interestingly, I didn’t feel at home on Substack until 2024 because of my addiction to another platform, Medium. Eventually, I realized that the problem wasn’t Substack but my approach to it. When I changed my perception and started seeing it as a home, everything dramatically changed. Initially, I felt awful about neglecting such a creator-friendly platform in favor of another platform that rejected me, almost like being in an abusive relationship. Your beautiful story inspired me to write about this experience and share it with the community I’ve built here. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community, and I look forward to exploring your ideas and stories. I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed experience here on Substack, Dr. Mehmet. Interestingly, this post has seemed to resonate with quite a few new followers, which has been a very happy benefit that I never saw coming.
It seems you have found quite a few readers here on Substack…that’s encouraging, and I’m happy you have found a place where you belong and feel at home.
Thanks for being here and for your well wishes! I hope your 2025 is also happy, healthy, and prosperous.
Warmly,
Angie
Curiosity
Thanks for sharing.
Curiosity about anything in particular, MaryAnn?
What a great exercise! I've been trying to come up with a three word "mercy" - a three word blurt or phrase that lifts me every week (https://mondaymercies.substack.com/), and I feel like this is an even more disciplined version! Amazing how even adding an -ing can change meaning, yes?
That’s also a cool practice! And yes, adding it subtracting from a word does change the meaning sometimes. Thanks for commenting. I look forward to your 3-word mercies.
Also, checking out your publication - I love the work toward uplift! I saw a post from @jessicahetherington today on needing more light bringers, and resonated with what you're doing here!
Thank you, Luke! I’m trying to do my part…thank you for taking note. It means a lot to me!
I think "belonging" is a great choice. My word: Discipline.
“Discipline” is also a great word…especially for writers.
Hi Angie! Oh, sounds like a wonderful practice to let the word choose us rather than the other way around. Belonging is beautiful, I hope you'll experience more of that feeling throughout this year. I also hope you're finding a way to feel more belonging here on Substack. I personally chose "live" to get more out of my own head. Thank you for sharing your insights 🙏✨
Julia…what a great choice! Thank you for sharing. Yours is a good reminder for all of writers, as it’s easy to go down mental rabbit holes and hibernate for a bit. And thanks for the well wishes…everything in good time, I suppose. I’m glad you’re here. ❤️
Thank you! Mental rabbit holes can be very distracting at times, it's definitely a place writers can get lost in. Glad to be here! 😊
What a fantastic exercise to start the year with, it feels so much easier to achieve than setting and committing to a resolution.
My word... I think it will be VALUES
In 2025, I am going to try and live and reflect my values in as many ways as possible.
This feels very wholesome, thanks for the suggestion Angie!
What a thoughtful, wonderful word for 2025, Tom! And if I may say, there might never be a more important year in our lifetimes to do this very thing!!! Interestingly, I made the difficult, yet important choice to change my faith denomination at the end of 2024 to one that more closely aligns with my personal values. I want people in the margins to know I am a safe place for them…and so is my church.
Thank you for leaving this comment…it is much appreciated!
Love this, Angie! Excited for you and your year ahead. I still haven't settled on my word.
It will come, Vic…I’m sure of it.
I’m not a New Year’s resolution guy. I love your word for this year though. And I’m new-ish to Substack this year…but truly appreciate the people I’ve connected with. And that includes you!
Awww…what a lovely comment, Henny! I appreciate your being here.