Excellent post, Laura. Don't laugh, but you are the first thing I read every morning in gmail. Like Dr. Samantha Boardman, you have become my "Daily Dose" of positive energy. :)
Ha, well you've done well as I rarely comment but felt compelled to! In fact, you've made me rethink things about the blog on my own website. I have comments turned off because I just didn't want to expend the energy dealing with negative ones, but maybe I'm then also leaving positive connection on the table. It does feel like writing into the void without that. I'll make an effort to comment more going forward also. Thanks for this reminder.
@Louisa - I get it on turning the comments off. I've had stretches of time on my blog (fortunately not now) where someone with a bee in their bonnet has commented a lot (different people over the years) and sometimes not very nicely. And it does take time and mental energy to deal with. But I've mostly decided that I can compartmentalize that and I do like reading other people's perspectives on whatever I've shared.
I've just turned them on so we'll see the result. It is a helpful skill to have, to compartmentalise, and be able to move on from the difficult ones. My blog is only small so may not get any fullstop yet! Thanks for the inspiration.
I'm in those infamous "golden years" on a tight, limited income. Yours is the only Substack I pay to subscribe to, because I learn so much great information, delivered in an upbeat tone!
I agree! I know people appreciate some of what I write because I hear it in other ways. But there's still something weird about a post vanishing into the void comment-free, and then subsequently finding out that people loved it.
Back when I was using facebook regularly, I had a span of years in which I would only ever comment on posts instead of using the like button. It made for a richer experience of the platform.
Depending on the post, this practice actually takes more time than some might assume. It requires careful reading of the post itself, possibly the material the post references as well, a deep think on how and why you are engaging with the material, and thoughtful wording of the comment itself. All excellent uses of time, especially when factoring in that we have to s-l-o-w our rate of social media consumption to do this meaningfully. The benefits (author of post feels seen, author of comments gains visibility, an engaging post may be promoted by the algorithm, etc.) are all bonuses!
Sometimes it's hard to know what to comment - but it's true, it's nice to engage! I also love Elisabeth's and the frugal girl's comment section, it's fun seeing the same people engage and getting to know them to
Maybe it's silly but commenting makes me a bit nervous! When I do it, I get the lingering feeling that, however simple my words were, what I said was dumb. Ha! I'm reminded of another recent post from you, when you talked about simply calling or reaching out... most people will be glad you thought of them. I guess this is something similar. I like when people comment on my stuff. But when I do it, my brain usually goes to the "why did you say that?" route. Oh, well. I guess there's no other way to get over it but to keep commenting. So here it goes!
@Ana - I'm glad you commented! I'm sure we all wonder how our words will be received, but it's impossible to know if we don't put them out there and find out.
Great reminder. I’ve connected with writers, artists, and cookbook authors on Substack from leaving comments on their posts. I love when people take the time to comment of my newsletter, Between Flights, and I always write back. Where I have trouble, is on Facebook. I tend to “like” comments there. Too overwhelming to respond to each. The fact that my Substack goes into someone’s inbox makes me grateful for each comment.
The comments section is what makes online spaces feel like community! I love this nudge to comment more 🤍
This feels very meta… commenting about a post on commenting. Thanks for all you do!
Meta indeed, but I like it!
Excellent post, Laura. Don't laugh, but you are the first thing I read every morning in gmail. Like Dr. Samantha Boardman, you have become my "Daily Dose" of positive energy. :)
Oh I love this. Thank you!
Ha, well you've done well as I rarely comment but felt compelled to! In fact, you've made me rethink things about the blog on my own website. I have comments turned off because I just didn't want to expend the energy dealing with negative ones, but maybe I'm then also leaving positive connection on the table. It does feel like writing into the void without that. I'll make an effort to comment more going forward also. Thanks for this reminder.
@Louisa - I get it on turning the comments off. I've had stretches of time on my blog (fortunately not now) where someone with a bee in their bonnet has commented a lot (different people over the years) and sometimes not very nicely. And it does take time and mental energy to deal with. But I've mostly decided that I can compartmentalize that and I do like reading other people's perspectives on whatever I've shared.
I've just turned them on so we'll see the result. It is a helpful skill to have, to compartmentalise, and be able to move on from the difficult ones. My blog is only small so may not get any fullstop yet! Thanks for the inspiration.
I'm in those infamous "golden years" on a tight, limited income. Yours is the only Substack I pay to subscribe to, because I learn so much great information, delivered in an upbeat tone!
I appreciate this so much! Thank you for reading me.
Yes! Making comments creates a conversation, which is a more meaningful and memorable way to spend time than passive reading
Absolutely - it's good to keep the conversation going.
I agree! I know people appreciate some of what I write because I hear it in other ways. But there's still something weird about a post vanishing into the void comment-free, and then subsequently finding out that people loved it.
It is weird - some stuff is like shouting into the void, even if I know it really isn't.
Back when I was using facebook regularly, I had a span of years in which I would only ever comment on posts instead of using the like button. It made for a richer experience of the platform.
That would make Facebook a lot better for sure.
Depending on the post, this practice actually takes more time than some might assume. It requires careful reading of the post itself, possibly the material the post references as well, a deep think on how and why you are engaging with the material, and thoughtful wording of the comment itself. All excellent uses of time, especially when factoring in that we have to s-l-o-w our rate of social media consumption to do this meaningfully. The benefits (author of post feels seen, author of comments gains visibility, an engaging post may be promoted by the algorithm, etc.) are all bonuses!
Sometimes it's hard to know what to comment - but it's true, it's nice to engage! I also love Elisabeth's and the frugal girl's comment section, it's fun seeing the same people engage and getting to know them to
Maybe it's silly but commenting makes me a bit nervous! When I do it, I get the lingering feeling that, however simple my words were, what I said was dumb. Ha! I'm reminded of another recent post from you, when you talked about simply calling or reaching out... most people will be glad you thought of them. I guess this is something similar. I like when people comment on my stuff. But when I do it, my brain usually goes to the "why did you say that?" route. Oh, well. I guess there's no other way to get over it but to keep commenting. So here it goes!
@Ana - I'm glad you commented! I'm sure we all wonder how our words will be received, but it's impossible to know if we don't put them out there and find out.
Yes! I've met so many "Internet friends" through comments!
This is how we met - and I have now had the privilege of meeting you in person multiple times!
Exactly <3
Great reminder. I’ve connected with writers, artists, and cookbook authors on Substack from leaving comments on their posts. I love when people take the time to comment of my newsletter, Between Flights, and I always write back. Where I have trouble, is on Facebook. I tend to “like” comments there. Too overwhelming to respond to each. The fact that my Substack goes into someone’s inbox makes me grateful for each comment.
Exactly. It can be a great way to connect with people - I met my podcast co-host because each of us was commenting on each others' blogs!
This is insightful and simple. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting!
I rarely comment but should do it more especially for my favorite writers like you!
Thank you for commenting!
This one hit home - I default to the "like" way too often. Taking this as my cue to actually comment more, starting right here. Thank you, Laura.
I'm trying to be better about it too. A work in progress for sure.