A NEW slow space for kindred spirits

My brand new membership is HERE!

For a long time now, I’ve felt the internet doesn’t work for me. So I decided to change the game.

First, I quit Instagram (and other social media) in 2022. I was sick of the mindless scrolling and the unavoidable feelings of inadequacy. YouTube became my main focus and it boomed as a result. However, by the end of 2023, I couldn’t ignore the nagging thought that this still wasn’t quite right…

I’m not one to shy away from doing things a little differently. I gave up on fitting in a long time ago.

Lets look at the facts.

I live in a Tiny Home rather than saddling myself with a mortgage. Gave up my conservation career to pursue a creative one that spoke to my soul. Embraced a minimal way of living. Eat a vegan diet. Avoid noisy social situations like the plague. Don’t drink. I’m unmarried and childless. Have a wardrobe that I can guarantee doesn’t have one ‘on trend’ item in it. Prefer reading over Netflix. Love the nature of my Scottish Highland home with every fibre of my being.

According to society, on paper, I’m rather a failure. Yet, in reality, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. That is my definition of success.

To my utter delight, I’ve found that I am not alone. I’ve been privileged to build and online community that accept me just as I am (yes, that’s a Bridget Jones reference).

So, after much deliberation, I’ve decided to set up a space just for us. Somewhere we can empower and support each other in choosing a slower life that we REALLY want, not what society says we should want.

Hence finally launching my own paid membership here on Substack.

Why a membership?

There a multiple reasons why I’ve made this decision

1. I’m quite a private person. I know, that seems a little odd coming from someone that makes their income from sharing their life on the internet. But I’m very careful about what I choose to share and there is much that I hold back. I’d like a safe space where I can discuss deeper topics, such as my decision to remain childless and the reality of living as a highly sensitive person.

2. I don’t like spreading my content all over the internet. There is a real pressure on content creators to have a presence everywhere, but I’ve never agreed with that. I’m very much of the mindset that I’d like to do less, but do it better. Although I will be continuing with my YouTube for the time being, I will be taking a significant step back in 2024, with Substack, and this new membership, being my primary focus going forwards. I already have so many ideas for this membership and my creativity is flourishing as a result.

3. I’m a writer, through and through. Although I love creating videos, and will be including plenty of this as part of my membership, writing will always be my first love. Substack allows me to have my own digital publication and I feel that my writing has already evolved tremendously over the last year of publishing on here.

4. I’ve decided that its ok - in fact, it is necessary - to ask for payment for my content. I’ve taken inspiration from the likes of

   Emma Gannon
   , a fellow creator on Substack (and beyond), who I deeply admire. In a podcast interview, she stated that she no longer feels awkward asking for payment for her content. I have so much respect for Emma’s decision. As a woman, I think its especially important to be proud of my work and show up for myself. I know that my work has value, so its time I put my big girl pants on and start acting like it.

5. I’ve always struggled with the somewhat shallow connections that we are restricted with online. It often feels something akin to small talk, which, as an introvert, I try and avoid at all costs. By starting a membership, I can foster deeper relationships with my fellow kindred spirits, where we can REALLY talk. This will bring an extra layer of meaning to my work that I’m so looking forward to.

What will this membership include?

So, what does this membership mean?

Firstly, I will still be including some free writing on my Substack. I appreciate not everyone is in the position to afford to pay for my content, so I feel it’s important that this continues. As a free subscriber, you will continue to get some posts regularly delivered to your inbox.

However, if you do want to join my paid membership, for £6 a month (or £60 a year), this is a sample of what you can look forward to -

• Access to ALL of my weekly writing, often with value added for my paid members, around the themes of slow and simple living

• Tea time posts - an exclusive monthly catch up where we can REALLY chat and I give insights and behind the scenes on how I live my slow life (NEW FOR 2024)

• Slow scroll - an exclusive monthly post for my paid members on everything I’ve been enjoying that month, e.g., books, recipes, outfits etc (NEW FOR 2024)

My content will include -

• All my book reviews and recommendations

• My favourite vegan recipes

• Updates on my creative pursuits e.g., journaling

• Reflections from my Scottish Nature Journal

• Advice on how to start or grow a creative career that suits you

• Favourite outfits from my sustainable capsule wardrobe

• And so much more

All in all, I want to create a gentle space for quiet souls where we can be empowered to celebrate who we are and live the life we want.

Its all any of us deserve.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my business so far. I couldn’t live this life without this and I am immensely grateful every single day.

I hope to chat with you over a cuppa soon…

Until next time,

Molly xx