31 Comments
User's avatar
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thanks for having me Matt :)

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

My pleasure, Benjamin!

Expand full comment
Charlie Dice's avatar

Yes!! I also left X (not that I had much to leave) about a month ago. Deleted the app off my phone and everything. In "email marketing X" it was just internet bros who like you said, were shouting - "I grew from 0 to 100K followers in 30 days just by doing XYZ". And when I tried making genuine connections I got the standard elevator pitch. I believe in the meme with the miner (giving up right before he hit the gold), but you also have to ensure your growth aligns with your mental health. Taking a break is different than 'giving up'.

Expand full comment
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

100%. If it's draining and wearing you down it's just not sustainable. The longer you force it the longer the recovering time will be

Expand full comment
Brand Marz's avatar

Left X for the exact same reason. And followed this solution as well. Great post!

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

Cheers!

Expand full comment
Lexy M's avatar

I could not agree more, Benjamin :) If I would have to be 100% consistent, it would kill all my creativity. Oh, and I do share your thoughts on X - not to mention the UI is just making me dizzy. Loved reading your article

Expand full comment
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thanks a lot Lexy. I'm definitely not missing X

Expand full comment
Derek Lakin's avatar

I think ruminating in any form can be destructive, to both physical and mental health. Your advice to step back and exit the cycles of wall-pushing is ultimately the only way out. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

Ruminating is a biggie for sure

Expand full comment
Arnouth Pessoa's avatar

I've never seen anyone say that “linear growth - as a standard - is a lie”, and it makes perfect sense. To make these moves and share them with your thoughts, you need to be brave. Thank you for your courage.

Expand full comment
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thanks Arnouth

Expand full comment
Daniel P. Hirschi's avatar

As a strong advocate for "being connected with Nature" I love this article. Finally someone talks about the importance of respecting the laws of Nature. Our society teaches us to do exactly the opposite of what Nature would do. The results? Horrible mental health statistics, millions of shattered dreams paving our streets.

To fight against Nature is plain stupid. To do it daily is the definition of insanity.

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

truths are hidden in nature :)

Expand full comment
Daniel P. Hirschi's avatar

Well said.

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

🫡

Expand full comment
Michael Persin's avatar

I once powered through a writers block. Literally forced myself to stay up passed midnight. I succeeded, however, I was forced to rest for an entire week before I resumed work on my novel.

Expand full comment
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Sometimes you can push but like you said it usually has consequences

Expand full comment
Mario Da Silva's avatar

Great perspective on growth and how it fits in cycles like everything else in life, Benjamin. It makes a lot of sense.

I wrote a while back we often talk about consistency - it's a sexy word no doubt but what we should be calling is perseverance.

Perseverance pushes you from the bad days, bad weeks, bad months, bad years. Doing the same thing consistently won’t lead to growth - and the first sign of not going anywhere or in a bad moment you give up.

Perseverance is what pushes you through bad moments. Discipline to stick through the process

Expand full comment
Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thanks Mario. You're right perseverance has a different ring to it. I think it's all a mater of perspective. Sometimes perseverance means taking a step make to ensure you don't give up all together but keep going long term

Expand full comment
Mario Da Silva's avatar

Exactly Benjamin. Perseverance does mean sticking to your guns and keep it together even in the worst moments

Expand full comment
JA Boman's avatar

X lost me too. Bad enough Nazzzis are on it, it's now linked to...

Expand full comment
Paulo Moura's avatar

I’ve been publishing texts here for a short time, focusing on how to manage our emotions to invest better, but I’ve been writing for myself for quite a while now. And if there’s one thing that keeps me from burning out when it comes to writing, it’s avoiding any rigid strategy—whether it’s about hitting a specific number of posts, readers, or anything like that. Most of my ideas come to me while I’m going about my day, having a conversation, or reading something. From there, I develop the text based on what feels right to me. And in my experience, this is what makes my writing feel more authentic.

Expand full comment
Chad Thiele's avatar

This is good advice, but consistency is definitely an element of success. It is pretty much a universal truth for everything.

Want to lose weight? Consistently consume fewer (healthy) calories than you burn.

Want to run further, faster? Consistently run and press yourself to do better each time.

But I hear ya, excellent advice too.

Expand full comment
Larry C. Brown's avatar

I get my best Ideas when I’m out walking the trails. Then I want to rush home and start writing before I lose the train of thought!

Expand full comment
Treasures of the Heart's avatar

Loved the post. Since I am just beginning can relate so many things you mentioned especially about growth not being linear and phases of stagnation that feels like no matter what you do, it doesn’t seem to be leading to anything.

Expand full comment
Ulysses Santillan's avatar

I never jump on X or other apps. Substack is the first app I wrote and let my words out, thoughts , and voice. I wasn't looking for adoration and was looking for a outlet to see if I can create something and continue my journey in this field. This piece makes a statement. Individuals need to know.

Expand full comment
Juan Papes's avatar

I've been trading forex for 7 years, growth is impossible without the retracements.

Expand full comment
Matt Giaro ⚙️'s avatar

What goes up must go down

Expand full comment