This is also true of finding joy. We don’t need to be perfect, we just need to try.
I used to avoid trying new things because I wasn’t sure I could do them perfectly. But how are you supposed to get good at anything if you never start?
I am embracing the joy and freedom of picking up a new hobby—and embracing the identity of the amateur. Not the expert. Not the professional. Just someone who is learning, and maybe even a little bit bad at first.
It’s okay—wonderful, even—to do something simply because it brings you joy. Not because you’re going to monetize it. Not because you’ll be great at it. Just because it sounds fun.
I see a lot of posts in Substack about monetizing writing. That is fine for some. For now, I am just going to write to learn and to find joy.
And that right there is the key Cheryl. To learn and to find joy. What’s the point otherwise whether monetising or not. I’d rather have joy than all the money in the world. ❤️
👏 Your post hit me right in the “do I even have a big enough following to feel flakey?” moment. I retired early a year ago and finally gave myself permission to become what I’d always wanted to be – a writer. I’m still new, still messy, still figuring out where the buttons are… but I’m in motion.
I’ve started sharing stories from this strange, beautiful second act – slow traveling with my husband, shedding old identities, and noticing what still wants to be said. Like you said: “You can’t skip the beginning.” I’m awkwardly, gratefully in it.
I’d love for you to drop by. We’re all just learning out loud.
So I'm 50 and like to travel, but I also still have a job and I don't live in the US. Would you still recommend your class to me? (Loved your post btw).
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. 😊 Yes, the class could absolutely still be relevant for you. It’s not just for full-time nomads or people in the US. It’s for anyone 50+ who’s curious about creating more flexibility and freedom in this next chapter, whether that means taking longer trips, working remotely, building a side income, or just opening up new possibilities. You don’t have to quit your job or move across the world. The session walks through different paths to portable income, so you can see what might fit your goals, even if you're only travelling part-time or planning ahead for the future. Would love to see you there! 😊
I hear you, Jo, I know you are talking to me. Video is my new mountain to
Climb. I’ve run weekly Zoom calls as a community member for a few years and now I can do it in my sleep. I’ve run monthly client calls for 4 years, and I can do it in my sleep unless it requires a difficult conversation. I always comfortable speaking up when I’m on the receiving end of coaching calls. But let me schedule a webinar and I have trouble sleeping the night before. My goal is to run a monthly webinar to see if I’ll become as comfortable doing that as I am with other times I’m on video.
Do it Penny! I’m doing my first webinar on years on Monday. I don’t even know how to use Zoom properly. Am certain something will likely go wrong, but hey hum. It’s time to make it happen! I look forward to your webinar. Let me know when you get started 😁
I so needed to hear this today! It runs very parallel to my post today. And articulates much of what I’m feeling right now. Thanks for sharing. Great read.
This is the naked truth and I’m living it! It’s liberating to take daily action knowing it won’t be perfect. Knowing regardless of the outcome, I will learn something. Thank you for the supportive post!
True, but just blindly continuing something that is just not working and draining your energy hoping that someday it will work out is also not the answer.
You gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.
You're speaking right to me again, Jo. I'm sitting on something (whether it's 'good' or not is maybe irrelevant) now. Not putting it out there because my last freebies didn't 'prove' worthy to anyone but me. But I'm not stopping. Because if it's useful to me, it will eventually be useful to someone else too. Maybe it just takes time. And what else am I doing, anyway? I might as well keep moving ahead....so, I'll stop sitting on it and get it out into 'the void'. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
this is exactly what i needed to hear! no, it's not the first time I've heard it but I need to keep hearing it. It's OK to be see as a beginner. It's OK to do it messy. it's OK not to have it all figured out. Trust the process. take the leap or at least the next baby step. Believe in yourself, your dreams, your passions, your path. Because do you really have something better to do? for me the answer is no. 😁❤️🙏
Absolutely. As I daughter who got me Substack keeps reminding me it's a slow burn here. Tiny steps are moving our posts or notes, moving them out of oblivion. I am also very new and trying to make my presence felt here.
Great message, and I need that reminder: to keep doing dumb things (or that feel dumb) until they get smarter!
This is also true of finding joy. We don’t need to be perfect, we just need to try.
I used to avoid trying new things because I wasn’t sure I could do them perfectly. But how are you supposed to get good at anything if you never start?
I am embracing the joy and freedom of picking up a new hobby—and embracing the identity of the amateur. Not the expert. Not the professional. Just someone who is learning, and maybe even a little bit bad at first.
It’s okay—wonderful, even—to do something simply because it brings you joy. Not because you’re going to monetize it. Not because you’ll be great at it. Just because it sounds fun.
I see a lot of posts in Substack about monetizing writing. That is fine for some. For now, I am just going to write to learn and to find joy.
And that right there is the key Cheryl. To learn and to find joy. What’s the point otherwise whether monetising or not. I’d rather have joy than all the money in the world. ❤️
👏 Your post hit me right in the “do I even have a big enough following to feel flakey?” moment. I retired early a year ago and finally gave myself permission to become what I’d always wanted to be – a writer. I’m still new, still messy, still figuring out where the buttons are… but I’m in motion.
I’ve started sharing stories from this strange, beautiful second act – slow traveling with my husband, shedding old identities, and noticing what still wants to be said. Like you said: “You can’t skip the beginning.” I’m awkwardly, gratefully in it.
I’d love for you to drop by. We’re all just learning out loud.
This is the story that started it all: Retired, Roaming and Rooted. https://substack.com/@thebenthalls/p/retired-roaming-and-rooted-welcome?r=5ci1ff&utm_medium=ios
Nice to meet you Kelly! Great post and as a fellow nomad, loving your journey! I look forward to sharing stories and connecting on the road. :)
So I'm 50 and like to travel, but I also still have a job and I don't live in the US. Would you still recommend your class to me? (Loved your post btw).
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. 😊 Yes, the class could absolutely still be relevant for you. It’s not just for full-time nomads or people in the US. It’s for anyone 50+ who’s curious about creating more flexibility and freedom in this next chapter, whether that means taking longer trips, working remotely, building a side income, or just opening up new possibilities. You don’t have to quit your job or move across the world. The session walks through different paths to portable income, so you can see what might fit your goals, even if you're only travelling part-time or planning ahead for the future. Would love to see you there! 😊
Love this so much Jo!!
Thanks Hannah! :)
I hear you, Jo, I know you are talking to me. Video is my new mountain to
Climb. I’ve run weekly Zoom calls as a community member for a few years and now I can do it in my sleep. I’ve run monthly client calls for 4 years, and I can do it in my sleep unless it requires a difficult conversation. I always comfortable speaking up when I’m on the receiving end of coaching calls. But let me schedule a webinar and I have trouble sleeping the night before. My goal is to run a monthly webinar to see if I’ll become as comfortable doing that as I am with other times I’m on video.
Do it Penny! I’m doing my first webinar on years on Monday. I don’t even know how to use Zoom properly. Am certain something will likely go wrong, but hey hum. It’s time to make it happen! I look forward to your webinar. Let me know when you get started 😁
I so needed to hear this today! It runs very parallel to my post today. And articulates much of what I’m feeling right now. Thanks for sharing. Great read.
Thanks Christy. Great to connect 😁
This is the naked truth and I’m living it! It’s liberating to take daily action knowing it won’t be perfect. Knowing regardless of the outcome, I will learn something. Thank you for the supportive post!
Yes! 🥳
True, but just blindly continuing something that is just not working and draining your energy hoping that someday it will work out is also not the answer.
You gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.
That’s a learned skill
Love the point you make about how, when in the mess of that messy middle, we quit too soon. Absolutely.
You're speaking right to me again, Jo. I'm sitting on something (whether it's 'good' or not is maybe irrelevant) now. Not putting it out there because my last freebies didn't 'prove' worthy to anyone but me. But I'm not stopping. Because if it's useful to me, it will eventually be useful to someone else too. Maybe it just takes time. And what else am I doing, anyway? I might as well keep moving ahead....so, I'll stop sitting on it and get it out into 'the void'. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Get it out there Lisa! You’ll only know if you do 😁
this is exactly what i needed to hear! no, it's not the first time I've heard it but I need to keep hearing it. It's OK to be see as a beginner. It's OK to do it messy. it's OK not to have it all figured out. Trust the process. take the leap or at least the next baby step. Believe in yourself, your dreams, your passions, your path. Because do you really have something better to do? for me the answer is no. 😁❤️🙏
You can’t get there if you quit prematurely.
Absolutely. As I daughter who got me Substack keeps reminding me it's a slow burn here. Tiny steps are moving our posts or notes, moving them out of oblivion. I am also very new and trying to make my presence felt here.