Revamping The Substack
Reconnecting with my subscribers (present and hopefully future), to begin a new journey on Substack to build out The RunninRev Run Club (A run club where do don’t actually need to run).
The Struggle:
Lately when it comes to producing content I often with I did more. I have been in this ADHD paralysis feeling for some time now when it comes to creating and producing content that I think other people would grow and benefit from. I live in this scary space of feeling that the content I do produce offers no benefit, and being paralyzed by even where to begin in producing meaningful content.
This is not to say I am “without” any content.
I am about 22 episodes into producing my weekly podcast, Run Build Grow, and while I love doing it, the work that goes into it often seems like a lot. I love the process of recording interviews with guests, editing (and re-listening in the process), and generally offering these conversations to the world. I am working on making it sustainable, so that I don’t lose that joy in podcasting.
The first podcast I produced, began to feel a draw as my mindset felt it needed to produce something and it had to be of the highest quality every time.
This eventually bled over into my blog too. I built out my blog on WordPress and tried to make it look as great as possible. I used all of my skills in website development, poured a lot of time and energy, and never even produced much content to go there. I have spent money on domains and web hosting only to let things lay fallow, afraid to even put anything there.
It can be difficult to be in this draw of producing content, and feeling like I always need to get something up and it has to be perfect. I even get into hyper-fixation modes and go all in on creating a space I think will offer the best environment for me to do so. However, I neglect the ease of just opening a blank document, putting my thoughts in writing, and putting them in the simplest form that allows me to communicate. Even just the act of creating content often being a therapeutic release or beginning of a conversation, rather than needing to create award winning work at every turn.
Where I Am Headed…Hopefully
As I thought about this and tried to make a plan, I wanted to get back to that sense of using these spaces for therapeutic release or engaging conversations. I have sought to simplify the setup, and use resources that don’t add stress, but merely allow the space to be there for what I hope to bring to the world.
I have kept the domains (I already have them and the cost is minimal to keep them registered). I am though, getting rid of my RunninRev WordPress site. Though I put in a lot of hard work into it, it serves as a reminder of what I am not doing rather than any potential I might have.
I am going to move my writing and publishing here, and am going to try and keep a consistent schedule. Whether it is a weekly devotional, reflections on running or well-being, or musings of ministry, I realize I just need to start with a blank Word document and move forward from there.
I have moved everything to free (or nearly free hosting options), in the hopes that I take away that stress. I will continue to keep my Buy Me A Coffee account open where you can “buy me a coffee (…or beer as I have it set up)” and support my work. Use this button…it would mean the world!
Maybe one day with your support I can build out this network to bigger areas.
What’s Happening Here?
For now, I will be here on Substack, a place I have enjoyed interacting with previously before moving fully to WordPress.
In this space, I can keep you all updated more easily (and economically) via email, the app, or just post things that you can read later without notification. The writing is easy and simple, and I don’t have to purchase all the latest tools to get the conversation out there.
I have set up this Substack with various sections creating space for topics I want to write about. You are welcome to go and manage your subscription and subscribe/unsubscribe to each of these different sections that you wish to receive.
Here are the highlights and what you can subscribe to:
The Main Page: “The RunninRev Run Club”
This will be a more newsletter-style updates of my writings and podcasting. I will most likely include quick thoughts that I am pondering around, but hope to keep it short, and sweet, and to point you to content or other areas. This is the main subscription, where you are seeing this post.
The Blog: “On A Long Run”
This space is for longer, reflective blog posts. Covering the gamut of areas that I often think about. You will find musings on the running community, my ministry, and my general thoughts. I cannot promise how often I might publish there, but be on the lookout for some, hopefully, fun stuff.
Pastoral/Faith-Based Areas (please dont let this scare you off):
RunninRev Preaches and Devotionals
Areas for me to publish my sermons and devotions (they are separate areas). The hope would be for these to be published weekly, but again trying to take away the stress from this.
When you “manage subscription,” you can opt to receive updates from all of these sections, only a couple, or subscribe to the main page and check in on content when I publish newsletters.
Whether you subscribe to one, some, or all, I want to thank all of you who are subscribed to this Substack and receiving what I am putting out into the universe. It means a lot to have your support!!!
My biggest struggle is because I wonder how much the world needs the voice of another white man in the world. It makes me wonder whether my content is even worth producing or if it would be better to keep my thoughts to myself. However, I continue to land on just wanting to put out content I think has helped me, and if folks think there is a benefit, they can continue to receive it or they can unsubscribe. It is tough to experience rejection, and I know that it is an area where I am growing.
Through this, I simply hope to create dialogue about how we can all grow in community together through well-being, self-care, and running.
I hope you will join me as I share this endeavor, and I hope you will share it with others so that we can all learn and grow together.