100 things I've learned since starting a Substack
A list
Today’s piece is in the form of a list. This week I challenged myself to write down 100 things I’ve learned since starting Chez Hanny here on Substack. Many items in the list are things I’ve discovered about myself, but some of them are factual things I’ve learned. Many are topics I’ve written about over the past 13 months.
I love writing and can’t stop.
Authenticity is central to good writing and must remain so.
Most people suffer from imposter syndrome. I do!
Creativity has no barriers and nor should it.
No matter how many times I proofread my writing, there will always be a typo somewhere. It’s fine. Accept it.
Showing up regularly is what truly matters.
I’m discerning and that’s ok (future post coming on this!).
I am an introvert. I think I always knew, but a test recently proved it!
Taking a bath in the middle of the day is perfectly acceptable, despite those niggling voices shouting ‘lazy!’.
I really don’t like running but I do enjoy jeffing.
Making a podcast is something I never realised I was capable of and yet I made one!
Cumulative knowledge is important, especially when you change careers. Don’t overlook it.
Sometimes you have to put yourself out there and see what happens.
Spending a month in another country is entirely possible if you really want to make it happen.
Trying new things feels really good.
I care about being honest about money. I wish there was more openness on this subject, it would help us all a lot.
Don’t overlook things you enjoyed as a child. They are often the things you still want to do today no matter what your age.
The gift of time is the best gift you can afford yourself.
It’s ok to not want kids.
Finding a niche is probably very overrated.
I really like good hand cream. This is what I have on my desk right now.
39 is not too old to start a new hobby.
Having some good photos taken of yourself is an act self care.
Pushing outside of your comfort zone from time to time is a good thing. You can always sink back into solitary ways the next day.
Money is different for all of us; it’s not about how much you have, it’s about what you choose to do with it.
I’ve learned to like and accept the sound of my own voice. I really enjoy making podcasts and voiceovers for posts. I’m thinking of running an online workshop on this topic. Tell me in the comments if you’d be interested.
When a compelling feeling arrives, act on it. Perhaps in small steps initially, but crucially don’t ignore it.
Making friends online isn’t weird. Some of them become real life friends.
I’ve been craving my own work space for a long time.
Uni pin pens are my favourite. I have them in every nib size.
I need a lot less stuff than I realised.
Celebrating other people and their achievements feels good.
I sometimes get a bit obsessed with stats and numbers.
I have spent most of my life people pleasing but am starting to see a different and better way.
Colour is a vital component of my life.
I love to spread the joy of colour through my work as an interior designer.
I want to write a book.
I’ve found myself writing a book. It’s on the subject of home.
Older women are my guiding lights. You know who you are.
I prefer quality over quantity in almost every respect.
Sometimes I need to spend time on my own.
I have an amazing husband. (I did know this before!)
My local council business services are really good and that surprised me.
Part-time employment combined with freelance work is a good combination for me.
I love tomatoes.
I will not pay £43.01 for two glasses of wine no matter how fancy the club, and I’m not afraid to tell the barman my feelings.
Sometimes I prefer to read a physical book and sometimes I want to listen to the audio version. Both are acceptable.
It’s not possible to have too many houseplants. I love plants.
I love my Create Ensemble crew and always look forward to an hour spent in their company. New joiners are always welcome!
A few drops of good lavender oil can soothe a lot of things.
I’m impatient and sometimes get overly excited about things in a child-like way, but I think that’s kind of nice.
A rooftop view, no matter how suburban, is constantly interesting and inspiring. Have I mentioned that I love my new writing space?!
Making things with my own hands, regardless of how shonky they turn out, will always make me happy.
There are occasions when it’s good to say no.
I love to swim in the sea.
Although I sometimes wish I lived somewhere rural, I really love London and feel lucky to live there.
It is absolutely possible to do brilliant and fun things in London without spending lots of money.
Trying all the cakes in France is an ambition of mine.
Having a pied-à-terre in France is the dream. Partly to assist in the completion of no. 58.
I have an obsession with ceramics and am about to start an 8-week pottery course after years of dithering. I suspect I will write about it.
A beautifully scented candle in my writing space is vital. This is what I’m currently burning.
Prioritising doing work that I enjoy often leads to further enjoyable work coming my way.
Spending time with close family members and not doing much at all is lovely. Plans can be overrated!
My sister is a brilliant person.
Setting aside a small pot of money to pay for creative investments for yourself is a good thing. E.g. a writing retreat, a pottery course…
Reflecting and evaluating from time to time is a very worthwhile activity.
There’s no need to rush. Savour the moments.
Train travel can (sometimes) be very pleasant. I’m writing some of this from a train and it feels so much calmer than driving.
Process is important. For years I was always wanting to tick things off and finish tasks as quickly as possible, but since I started this Substack I’ve learned to pause and take notice of the journey.
Building an online community here is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.
If you don’t ask, you aren’t likely to get. I have a wish list of podcast guests, some of whom I’ve assumed would say no, but when asked said yes!
Good communication (in all forms) is key to success in so many areas of life and careers.
Work-li-days are really good.
I would rather go out for one special meal every three months than eat out several times a week.
Listening to all 1001 Albums in Robert Dimery’s book is going to take a long time. (We’ve listened to 248 over the past 4 years…)
Being an ideas volcano can be overwhelming, but tapping in can lead to some exciting opportunities.
The comments that subscribers leave on my Substack posts mean so much and spur on my writing. I try very hard to ensure I reply to every single one.
I’m going to be turning 40 next year and I feel good about that. It feels like a new phase of my life is beginning and that’s exciting.
I do still enjoy being a teacher for part of my week. It turns out that I like teaching but I don’t like managing people.
My home is my very favourite place in the world.
Setting up and running my own interior design business has given me the burst of energy and new challenge I was seeking.
A learning curve can be both challenging and exciting.
Writing on Substack regularly has been the key to sticking at it. Sometimes I have no idea what I’m going to write, but I let the words flow and something always arrives.
Taking and nurturing plant cuttings is satisfying and I can lose myself in this activity for a couple of hours. Plus - free plants!
Plans don’t always work out in the way you hope or expect but sometimes that’s a good thing.
I like to go with the flow.
Tea and writing go very well together. For me it has to be Yorkshire tea: strong with a good slug of semi-skimmed milk.
Collaborating with others is one of the most rewarding ways to work. I love it when I receive an email about a potential guest post or podcast interview. Keem em’ coming!
Creative inspiration comes via experiences. Open your eyes: get outside, see art, talk to people. It all counts.
I much prefer Substack to Instagram, because it creates deeper connections but I still find Instagram useful for my interior design work so won’t give it up.
Good bedding is so worth the investment. You won’t regret it. Bedfolk is my favourite at the moment.
I’m a morning person and my favourite time to write is between 6-8am. I love the quiet of this time of day.
I like summer, but spring and autumn are my favourite seasons. They’re the interesting edges to the extremes and the colours are more vibrant.
Earrings are my favourite type of jewellery. The more colourful and funky, the better! That’s why I started making my own
Big cosy jumpers (sweaters) are the best.
A long walk with my husband followed by him cooking something delicious for dinner is my favourite way to spend a Saturday.
Writing is a very cathartic activity. I can do it almost anywhere.
Thinking of 100 things to write has been challenging. It took me almost a week to write this piece. I was tempted to reduce it to 50, but I persevered!
Substack has been the gateway to me becoming a writer.
I am a writer.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
If I was to tick off ones that make me go 'same' the % would be high!
I love this exercise! I carefully copied your list to my workspace so that I could keep it for reference to make my own. I decided to star the items on your list that were VERY important to me and to my surprise, there were 29! Then I knew we were kindred spirits, so I subscribed to read more from you. Bravo!