From Subscribers to Soulmates

My Trapeze Act Through the Substack Universe

When I started my Substack journey back in January 2020, I admit I had grandiose visions. I imagined tens of thousands of eager subscribers hanging on my every word, dashboard stats that would make me the envy of the digital newsletter world, and maybe even a TED Talk invitation or two.

I envisioned myself as a Black Hemingway, typing away while the world clamored to pay $6 a month for my musings.

Spoiler alert: That’s not exactly how it’s turned out

Instead, I discovered something far more profound, transformative, and, dare I say, Taoist. As I reflect on my years as an active participant in the Substack global community, I’ve come to realize that the real treasure isn’t in subscribers, followers, or the occasional spike in open rates.

No, the true gift lies in the connections, the conversations, and the act of showing up authentically, day after day, keyboard clacking and heart open.

It’s Not About the Numbers, It’s About Humanity

Let’s get something out of the way: dashboard stats are addictive. Watching subscriber counts rise can feel like validation; seeing them drop can feel like betrayal.

But here’s the thing—the Tao teaches us to flow, not cling. Those numbers are impermanent, as fleeting as autumn leaves on a windy day.

What really matters is the people behind those numbers. The ones who write back, “This piece changed my life,” or “I needed this today.”

True community isn’t measured in metrics; it’s measured in the warmth of a reply, the depth of a shared story, the quiet power of knowing someone out there gets it.

When I let go of obsessing over the numbers, I started to feel the connections. I now find myself cherishing every exchange, every comment, every unexpected email from a reader halfway across the globe. That’s when I realized: I’m not writing for numbers—I’m writing for us.

There Are a Million Ways to Grow—But Only One Way to Be You

The internet is full of advice on how to grow your Substack. Headlines like “10 Tips for Exploding Your Newsletter Growth!” or “How to Monetize Your Substack in 30 Days” promise instant success, like magic pills for aspiring writers.

Here’s my advice: ignore all of it. Well, most of it. The truth is, your most powerful growth tool is your essence.

By way of example, my superpower—my secret sauce—has always been human connection. In other words my spiritual essence centers on creating meaningful exchanges, whether over coffee, through a Substack Note, or in the spaces between paragraphs.

When I stopped trying to follow formulas and started leaning into me, something shifted. My work became more authentic, my connections deeper.

And instead of chasing subscribers, I started attracting them. And the ones who came? They were the right ones—kindred spirits who resonated with my words, my journey, my vibe.

So, my growth strategy boils down to this: just do you. The Tao flows best when you stop forcing it and let it unfold naturally.

Substack Notes: The Accidental Catalyst

When Substack Notes first launched, I thought, “Great, another thing to learn.” But it turned out to be a game-changer. Notes became my Taoist pond, a place to ripple outward and see what came back.

Through Notes, I’ve found collaborators, exchanged ideas, and expanded my reach without ever feeling like I was chasing attention. Notes taught me the art of nudging the universe: putting something meaningful out there and letting it reverberate.

And here’s the kicker: Notes isn’t just a tool for growing your audience—it’s a tool for growing yourself. Every comment, every like, every reply reminds me why I do this work: not for fame or fortune, but to make ripples that might, just might, make the world a little brighter.

Writing Every Day: The Tao of Vulnerability

Let’s talk about writing every day. It’s not always glamorous. Some days, it feels like wringing water from a stone; other days, it’s like a waterfall. But every day, I just let it rip.

Expressing my deepest, most vulnerable thoughts has been cathartic and healing. It’s also terrifying—like handing your journal to a stranger and saying, “Here, judge me.”

But the more I do it, the lighter I feel. Writing has become my qigong, my moving meditation. It’s also preparing me for something bigger, namely, the book I am writing.

Substack has been my training ground, my dojo. Each post, each paragraph, is a step toward the mountain summit. And along the way, I’ve realized that the journey is the reward.

From “What’s In It for Me?” to “How Can I Serve?

When I first started on Substack, I was all about me: my goals, my growth, my success. But somewhere along the way, something shifted. Call it spiritual evolution, call it getting older—whatever it is, I now find myself asking, “How can I serve?”

This shift has been nothing short of miraculous. By focusing less on what I can gain and more on what I can give, my work has taken on a new dimension.

Writing for me feels lighter, freer, more expansive. My mission—imparting nomadic wisdom for living a more interconnected and expansive life—has become my guiding star.

Substack, in its Taoist simplicity, has taught me the art of surrender — surrendering my ego, my fears, my need for control. In doing so, I’ve found not just success, but purpose.

The Tao of Substack: A Closing Hymn

If life is a river, then Substack is my canoe. It’s carried me through rapids and calm waters, teaching me to paddle with purpose but also to let go and trust the current.

I’ve learned that true community is about depth, not breadth; that authenticity is the ultimate growth hack; and that writing every day is both a discipline and a liberation.

I’ve discovered that Notes is more than a feature—it’s a mirror. And most importantly, I’ve realized that success isn’t about how many people follow me; it’s about how many people I can serve.

So here’s to the Tao of Substack: a path of connection, creativity, and boundless possibility. May we all find our flow, our voice, our purpose—and may we never stop sharing it with the world.

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Diamond Michael Scott — aka The Chocolate Taoist

chocolatetaoist@proton.me