The hottest Self-Expression Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Posting Less

Culture Study • 11413 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Digital Life Self-Expression Generational Trends
  1. Many people are feeling tired of posting on social media because the online environment has become more hostile and less rewarding. It's starting to feel like it takes more energy than it's worth.
  2. As social media platforms change, people are reconsidering how they share their lives. They want to avoid negativity and are opting for smaller, more private circles for sharing.
  3. There's a big difference between feeling seen online and actually being seen in real life. Real connection and vulnerability are harder to achieve on social media.

Choosing My Glasses

Holly’s Newsletter • 1428 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Mental health Self-Expression Life experiences
  1. Negativity bias means we often focus more on bad experiences than good ones. It's important to notice when we're doing this and try to look for the positives instead.
  2. Working on overcoming negativity bias can be tough, but it starts with accepting that we have it. Sharing good moments with others can help shift our focus to the positive.
  3. Finding supportive professionals in areas like therapy or training can make a big difference. It’s nice to meet people who understand our fears and can guide us through challenging experiences.

I want to destroy the words "interesting" and "sparkly"

SPARC '24 JC Blog • 239 implied HN points • 01 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture Social Dynamics Communication Language Identity Self-Expression
  1. Labeling people as 'interesting' or 'sparkly' creates unfair categories, dividing them into 'worthy' and 'unworthy' of attention. Everyone deserves to be heard, regardless of how they are labeled.
  2. People are shaped by their environments and contexts. Just because someone doesn't seem exciting in one setting doesn't mean they lack worth or potential in another.
  3. It's important to recognize that qualities like 'sparkly' can be brought out in everyone. Instead of limiting perceptions, we should foster a mindset that encourages growth and exploration in all individuals.

Finding A Voice

The Fry Corner • 4516 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Style Autobiography Narrative Self-Expression
  1. Finding your voice in writing takes time and self-discovery. It's a journey about understanding your unique style.
  2. Many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy, especially in childhood when compared to peers.
  3. Experiences of feeling like an outsider can lead to deeper insights, which can shape one's creative expression.
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The time, life and brain-space-saving power of a uniform

The Shift With Sam Baker • 2615 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion Style Clothing Personal Growth Self-Expression
  1. Having a uniform can save time, mental energy, and stress when getting dressed every day.
  2. A uniform can simplify your wardrobe choices and help you feel comfortable and confident in your clothing.
  3. Adopting a uniform can lead to a sense of liberation from the pressure of constantly changing outfits and allow for a more streamlined and efficient life.

The Third Person

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 170 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Education Voice Identity Self-Expression
  1. Writing in the third person can feel freeing because it allows for distance from personal emotions. It helps some writers feel less vulnerable and more objective in their work.
  2. Many people struggle with expressing personal views in writing, often feeling it's arrogant to use 'I'. This can create a barrier to authentic self-expression in writing.
  3. Finding one's true writing voice can come from personal growth and life experiences over time, rather than just practice in writing. It's an ongoing journey of self-discovery.

The Great (im)Balance

Endless Explorations • 79 implied HN points • 27 Sep 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Creativity Illustration Self-Expression Art Theory
  1. Everyone has a logical side and an intuitive side. The logical side helps us stay on track, while the intuitive side can inspire creativity and lead to new ideas.
  2. Balancing logic and intuition is important for personal growth. We often suppress our creative side, but letting it express itself can lead to amazing results.
  3. Everyone has an inner voice that deserves to be heard. Listening to this voice and nurturing our creativity can unlock opportunities for more fulfilling experiences.

The Ache

Babbling On • 1297 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Grief Healing Self-Expression
  1. The author reflects on the mixed emotions and struggles he faced after his father's unexpected death.
  2. The funeral on a Super Blue Moon is highlighted as a significant and emotional event.
  3. Memories and stories shared at the funeral display the author's complex relationship and deep love for his father.

Substack Tenets (and viva Sarah Fay!)

Castalia • 979 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Self-Expression Creativity Communication
  1. Writing helps us deal with the feeling of being alone. It's surprising that more people don't use writing to fill their time instead of playing games on their phones.
  2. Writing allows people to express themselves without any restrictions from publishers or institutions. It gives a sense of freedom and responsibility in what you say.
  3. Writing can be a personal journey for self-discovery. It lets you explore who you are and find a purpose beyond just making money.

Why can’t we just skip the ritual?

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Rituals Social Behavior Human Psychology Self-Expression Community
  1. Hypnotism is not magical; it helps people express what they want to do but don't usually allow themselves. It’s like getting permission to be silly and enjoy life.
  2. Many people drink alcohol to socialize, but it's more about feeling free to be open rather than because they need it. Alcohol acts as a permission slip for some to act more social.
  3. You can be fun and social without alcohol or any other crutch. The ability to connect and play is already within you; you just need the confidence to let it out.

Happy Third Birthday to This Newsletter...

illyanna Maisonet's Newsletter • 786 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Social media Community Authenticity Self-Expression
  1. Author reflects on the growth of their newsletter over the past three years and sets a goal of reaching 10,000 subscribers by the end of 2023.
  2. Author discusses the challenges of comparing oneself to others in the industry and the need for self-acceptance and authenticity.
  3. Author addresses feedback regarding cursing in their content, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself and maintaining a supportive community.

How to avoid being legible (and why it's good)

Defender’s corner • 119 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Solitude Productivity Art Self-Expression
  1. Explaining why "being legible" can be a challenge leads to a new perspective on creative work and self-expression.
  2. Embracing uncertainty and allowing oneself to follow instincts can lead to more productivity and a sense of fulfillment.
  3. Being comfortable with saying "I don't know" as a valid answer can alleviate anxiety and promote a healthier approach to creativity.

On Arts Competition and Arts Cabals

Castalia • 519 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Competition Self-Expression
  1. Art does not have to be about being the best; it's about personal expression and the journey of creating. Everyone has something interesting to say if they express themselves sincerely.
  2. Competition in art can be helpful and push artists to improve, but it should be personal and not about judging others. It's okay to be ambitious and strive for greatness.
  3. Arts cabals, on the other hand, create unnecessary divisions and can stifle creativity by deciding who gets to be seen or heard. True art should be open and inclusive, valuing all creators.

High and Higher Thoughts

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Adventure Art Self-Expression Emotional Well-being
  1. Experiencing new perspectives, especially through things like yoga or even drugs, can help us understand our own thoughts better. It's like seeing your own view from a different angle.
  2. Being present and emotionally connected can lead to surprising feelings, like joy from simple movements. It's important to allow ourselves to feel and express emotions.
  3. Women are achieving amazing things, often without the same level of recognition as men. It's vital to acknowledge their contributions and visibility in adventurous fields.

What Is My Identity?

polymathematics • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Self-Expression Philosophy Creativity Perception
  1. A strong identity is colorful and rich, making life more enjoyable. It's important to explore different interests and keep a record of experiences, but identity shouldn't be fragile or too dependent on others' opinions.
  2. Sometimes we feel possessive over our ideas or hobbies, but we shouldn't let that dictate our feelings of self-worth. Remember, our identity is not defined by how others see us or what they think about our work.
  3. Focusing on what truly matters to us in the long term helps keep our identity grounded. We should prioritize doing what we love and building connections with creative, curious people, regardless of outside recognition.

bell hooks’ Labors of Love: Taking Action, Thinking Critically

Humanities in Revolt • 179 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🚌 Education Feminism Critical Thinking Socialization Authenticity Self-Expression
  1. Thinking critically is as important as physical action, according to bell hooks, as it leads to understanding and learning how life works.
  2. bell hooks challenges the societal norms that discourage critical thinking, arguing that it is a vital capacity for truth, authenticity, and autonomy.
  3. bell hooks emphasizes that critical thinking fosters self-knowledge, agency, and survival, going beyond being a mere academic expectation.

Be open to your own creativity

Technology, Environment, and Art • 59 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Creativity Self-Expression Human connection Philosophy Consumerism
  1. Be open to your own creativity and avoid large online sharing platforms to nurture your expression.
  2. Big online platforms aim to profit and can potentially hinder rather than support your creative output.
  3. Limit the use of soulless big tech platforms, be true to yourself, explore offline sharing, and nurture your creativity away from large corporations.

Gaze At My Navel

The Reclamation Era • 99 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
📚 Literature Memoir Writing Women's issues Self-Expression Parenting
  1. It's easy to feel the need to apologize or add disclaimers when sharing personal stories, especially for women. This often comes from wanting to be liked and accepted.
  2. Embracing our own stories without insecurity is important. Everyone's experiences matter and women especially should feel empowered to share theirs without shame.
  3. Letting go of the need for approval can help us grow. It's okay if not everyone likes what we present; the focus should be on being true to ourselves.