I believe in everything you say. I believe you put in the effort, you were uncomfortable at the start, that writing has made you a clear-mind person - everything.
And you didn't even need to tell me, because I was there for the most part of your journey, and it was beautiful to see it unfold in real time.
You're an amazing writer, and, I'm not gonna lie, I see you (partially) as a competitor because you make me want to work and write even more because you put the bar so high.
I don't know what Substack is like without you, dude, and I hope that continues to be the way. Thank you for all the advice, kind messages, our collaboration, the book recommendations.
But most importantly, thank you for showing up, and reminding me every single fucking day that I need to put the work in.
You'll go far. I wish nothing but the best of success for you, my guy.
Man, this inspires me greatly. Appreciate you, Francisco. Our collective growth has been one of the highlights of my first here on Substack. Looking forward to what's next my friend!
Ryan your contribution to the substack community is incredible, and its so fascinating how it also contributes to who you are! You are in the flesh the fact that consistency matters always, thank you for leading by example, congrats! 🌟🌟
I love this!!! This is so incredibly inspiring. I have so many goals for my Substack too, and this really makes me so excited for my future. Thanks for sharing, keep writing!!
Thanks Deborah! Glad that you found some value in this piece. Wishing you all the best in your Substack journey. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
The thing you are describing underneath it is real. Losing structure doesn't just happen after college, as it hits people after the wedding, after the first kid, after buying the flat, after spending yeasr chasing promotion. Any moment where the next milestone disappears, and you're left without a clear playbook on what comes after it.
What makes those moments harder than the college-to-adulthood version is the weight of consequence. At 23 you can pivot, experiment, call your mum from the floor and it's fine. At 35, with a mortgage and a kid and a partner who organized their life around yours, the floor looks different. The decisions are harder to undo and you're the one carrying them either way.
What you missed, and what I think is the actual point, is that the people who move through those moments fastest aren't the ones with the best systems or the clearest five year plan. They're the ones who already did some work on knowing who they are before the structure disappeared, enough that when the external scaffolding drops, there's something underneath it holding the shape.
In your case, the journal helped. For most people, it's a conversation, a crisis, or getting far enough into the wrong life that the discomfort becomes louder than the fear of changing it.
Hey Denis! Appreciate you reading and for such a great reflection. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to do so. Hope you have a great week man!
I read this all Ryan. Sorry it took a while! It’s so very inspiring. I agree with so many things here, the most important thing being to just start. Starting my Substack without any plan, was the most spontaneous thing I have ever done. No overthinking, no hesitation, I just dove in. I had no choice, it was how I coped with the layoff. In hindsight it was the best thing I ever did, because you’re right. It never starts great, it’s even embarrassing, but we continue to get better and better. You find your voice, even when you don’t know what that is, when you’re starting out. Cheers to everything you’ve accomplished, you’re a great example for so many. Congratulations and I have no doubt you’re going to continue to do great. 😊
well done man for all the work you have put and for the persistence you had to keep going and writing every week i know for a fact not always we have something to write or better we want to write something but with this it shows that you’re determined to make it work
and this is one those post i wished to read a year and half ago where i was just starting out like because it shows the reality of trying to create something meaningful it takes time and effort
Congrats! What a powerful testimony. Love the insight into who you are, and I’m glad we connected recently. I’m with you on how writing and journaling is such a helpful outlet. And an unexpected blessing that it could touch others. Keep at it! Excited to follow along.
Yessir. Love reading stories like these. Reflection is such an important practice. I need to go back and read more of what you’ve written. What would you say is your primary focus in your writing?
Well said! Thanks for sharing. I like your approach and your general mindset. Keep at it. Would love to help you out on here any way I can. One of the best parts of Substack is the support from the community.
One year of showing up. That alone puts you ahead of most people who talked about starting but never did. The hardest part was never the writing. It was hitting publish when nobody was watching. Respect Ryan.
Wow! Thank you Ryan, what a wonderful accomplishment and it’s an honor to be mentioned with all of the wonderful people who have supported you. I’ll read this fully once I have a free moment. 😊
So much to say, I will try to keep it short.
I believe in everything you say. I believe you put in the effort, you were uncomfortable at the start, that writing has made you a clear-mind person - everything.
And you didn't even need to tell me, because I was there for the most part of your journey, and it was beautiful to see it unfold in real time.
You're an amazing writer, and, I'm not gonna lie, I see you (partially) as a competitor because you make me want to work and write even more because you put the bar so high.
I don't know what Substack is like without you, dude, and I hope that continues to be the way. Thank you for all the advice, kind messages, our collaboration, the book recommendations.
But most importantly, thank you for showing up, and reminding me every single fucking day that I need to put the work in.
You'll go far. I wish nothing but the best of success for you, my guy.
Man, this inspires me greatly. Appreciate you, Francisco. Our collective growth has been one of the highlights of my first here on Substack. Looking forward to what's next my friend!
Ryan your contribution to the substack community is incredible, and its so fascinating how it also contributes to who you are! You are in the flesh the fact that consistency matters always, thank you for leading by example, congrats! 🌟🌟
Very kind words. Thank you so much Anna!
I love this!!! This is so incredibly inspiring. I have so many goals for my Substack too, and this really makes me so excited for my future. Thanks for sharing, keep writing!!
Thanks Deborah! Glad that you found some value in this piece. Wishing you all the best in your Substack journey. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I definitely will! :)
6 ish months in and this was motivating man! Keep chopping wood 🤙
Thanks for reading man. Appreciate you!
Yessir. Chop wood, carry water!
The thing you are describing underneath it is real. Losing structure doesn't just happen after college, as it hits people after the wedding, after the first kid, after buying the flat, after spending yeasr chasing promotion. Any moment where the next milestone disappears, and you're left without a clear playbook on what comes after it.
What makes those moments harder than the college-to-adulthood version is the weight of consequence. At 23 you can pivot, experiment, call your mum from the floor and it's fine. At 35, with a mortgage and a kid and a partner who organized their life around yours, the floor looks different. The decisions are harder to undo and you're the one carrying them either way.
What you missed, and what I think is the actual point, is that the people who move through those moments fastest aren't the ones with the best systems or the clearest five year plan. They're the ones who already did some work on knowing who they are before the structure disappeared, enough that when the external scaffolding drops, there's something underneath it holding the shape.
In your case, the journal helped. For most people, it's a conversation, a crisis, or getting far enough into the wrong life that the discomfort becomes louder than the fear of changing it.
Hey Denis! Appreciate you reading and for such a great reflection. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to do so. Hope you have a great week man!
I read this all Ryan. Sorry it took a while! It’s so very inspiring. I agree with so many things here, the most important thing being to just start. Starting my Substack without any plan, was the most spontaneous thing I have ever done. No overthinking, no hesitation, I just dove in. I had no choice, it was how I coped with the layoff. In hindsight it was the best thing I ever did, because you’re right. It never starts great, it’s even embarrassing, but we continue to get better and better. You find your voice, even when you don’t know what that is, when you’re starting out. Cheers to everything you’ve accomplished, you’re a great example for so many. Congratulations and I have no doubt you’re going to continue to do great. 😊
Beautiful reflection! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to read. I really appreciate you. Hope you have a great evening!
Thank you Ryan! I appreciate your kind words and I’m also glad you’re here, being you.
Never disappoint 💯 great read my guy👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you so much! I appreciate you!
well done man for all the work you have put and for the persistence you had to keep going and writing every week i know for a fact not always we have something to write or better we want to write something but with this it shows that you’re determined to make it work
and this is one those post i wished to read a year and half ago where i was just starting out like because it shows the reality of trying to create something meaningful it takes time and effort
keep doing what you do🎉
Thanks bro, appreciate this super thoughtful comment. Hope you have a great day!!
Inspiring! Keep it up Ryan
Thank you so much!!
Inspiring post, thanks for sharing 🙏
Thanks for reading, Tom. Hope you have a great day!
Congrats! What a powerful testimony. Love the insight into who you are, and I’m glad we connected recently. I’m with you on how writing and journaling is such a helpful outlet. And an unexpected blessing that it could touch others. Keep at it! Excited to follow along.
Appreciate you, Matt. Means a lot that you took the time to read this morning. I hope you have a fantastic weekend my friend!
Yessir. Love reading stories like these. Reflection is such an important practice. I need to go back and read more of what you’ve written. What would you say is your primary focus in your writing?
This piece probably explains my writing and approach the best:
https://presentandprogressing.substack.com/p/living-between-two-truths?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Well said! Thanks for sharing. I like your approach and your general mindset. Keep at it. Would love to help you out on here any way I can. One of the best parts of Substack is the support from the community.
woah what an inspiring journey! congrats Ryan!! you're one of the people i look up to in here, appreciate all the work you do and keep it up!
Thank you, Charisse. Very kind words. I appreciate you so much 🙌🏻
As a 23 year old trying to find his own path I think its time to buy a journal
hell yeah man! Love it!!
One year of showing up. That alone puts you ahead of most people who talked about starting but never did. The hardest part was never the writing. It was hitting publish when nobody was watching. Respect Ryan.
Very well said, Rogier! Thank you so much for reading and your support!
Lets get it 🫱🏻🫲🏼
Ryan!!!!! So happy for you man, 1 year of consistency. Grateful for you + glad we met!
Appreciate you bro, as always!
Wow! Thank you Ryan, what a wonderful accomplishment and it’s an honor to be mentioned with all of the wonderful people who have supported you. I’ll read this fully once I have a free moment. 😊