Re-calibrating
Your feedback helps too!
I’ve wondered more than once if my GPS wasn’t trying to kill me. It has led me down questionable roads in sketchy neighborhoods. When I try finding my way out on my own, my GPS has to adjust to my new route so that I can (eventually and safely) reach my destination.
Sometimes, recalibration is more than finding a new path; it’s about looking at all angles of a situation and seeing the best way forward. It’s about examining what’s working and what’s not, intentionally and mindfully. Sometimes, I’m not lost…exactly…but I’m not 100% found either. That’s where I’ve been lately.
I’ve been doing some recalibrating regarding my writing and videos. Some things seem to work…others not so much. Am I reaching the people I need to reach? Are they getting the message I intend to send? Are things getting lost in the translation?
When I began writing here on Substack as Aging With Courage, I thought my target audience was…me. I thought I was writing to women my age who shared my hopes and fears. I was also writing to myself because I had been in some fear and I didn’t like it. I figured (hoped!) I wasn’t alone.
Through my analytics, I realized my audience was almost all younger than me (35-55), so everything I had planned for people my age fizzled.
No problem!
Time to pivot!
In the last few months, I haven’t worried as much about the age of my audience, I’ve simply been trying to share this message: be brave and examine your life…set boundaries…take care of you…take action toward your dreams so that you can live the life you truly want. Not the life your parents…or your spouse…or your kids…siblings…cousins…friends…acquaintances…want for you. Live the life YOU want for you. Especially if it involves being at peace. Not being happy…but being at peace with yourself, your life, and the world at large.
I share parts of my story…especially the not-enoughness…because I want you to know that things like deep-seated self-loathing can change. I share bits of my recovery from alcoholism and codependence so that others know that there’s hope in the face of addiction. I share the insights I’ve had and the actions I’ve taken (and still take) in order to have peace in my life, so you can have it too.
I’ve been looking at what I’ve been delivering…how I’ve been delivering it…and how it has been received. I’ve considered stopping altogether…or changing the name and the format. I’ve thought about writing a book with this process spelled out…or creating a course…or doing some group coaching…eventually…maybe.
I’m still working it out. I would love your feedback. What do you think is working? What’s not working? Do you also watch the reels I make on Instagram and TikTok? Did you even know about them? Don’t hold back! Feel free to share your thoughts here, or if you don’t want them for all the world to see, message me. After all, my goal is to help you…to write to serve you…to teach you.
Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you so I can continue my recalibration process.
This is such a good post… I think so much of what you share about living life is universal. You’ve been courageous in your examples—both the triumphs and struggles. It is appreciated. Here’s where I am with social media right now, and maybe this can give you some insight. I am overwhelmed. My in-box from Substack is overflowing, and I find that I’m deleting without even reading. I could be down the rabbit hole all day, and have done that to my own detriment. I avoid reels, and am not on Tik-Tok. I know a few creators on SS that are in the “aging with courage category,” maybe they have more insight. Trish McDonald Get Gutsy is one, (I was her book coach) and Oldster Magazine is another. Don’t give up.
Do you use threads or notes? Sarah Fay is a top substack strategist and gives a lot away. Maybe check her out. I’ve been on this platform for a year and haven’t posted a thing…. !! Can’t even come up with a handle. You jumped in! I give you so much credit.. big hugs! 🥰
Claire, I have not been responding much, as life has been changing in so many directions. But I have been reading and taking your journey and thoughts to heart. Been very mindful of the time my ‘not enoughness’ tries to rear its head in the many areas of life. I’m doing better as spotting and correcting my erroneous thinking. Similarly to practicing gratitude- I can feel change happening. Thank you for that. Recalibrating is a wonderful description of a valuable topic. Another to put into my daily routine. Hugs