Why Patience Outshines Virality in Your Substack-or any-Creative Journey
The peaceful long-game lens us creatives know all too well, is actually a superpower here; the power in our patience.
Beneath every word we write, or draw or paint, lies a quiet, enduring strength—one that no algorithm can replicate and no viral post can replace.
You may not even realise it, but every email you craft, every post you publish, and every moment spent in the digital wilderness is an act of profound patience. The power of patience is woven into your creative process and holds the key to deep fulfilment in our creative journeys’—something far more meaningful than any like, follower or subscriber count.
Every time you hit “publish,” you’re planting a seed.
You may not see immediate results, but your words have a way of taking root in unseen places. Readers come and go, and algorithms shift, but the simple act of showing up to your creative space is an investment in something far greater: connection, be it to others, but utmost to yourself.
Finding your creative/writing voice is not a one-and-done process. It’s a journey of slow, steady growth. Each piece you craft refines your perspective, sharpens your message, and deepens your authenticity. Wether you share it or not.
Like a tree adding rings over the years, your expressive voice grows gradually, each post or work of art, building on the last.
And here’s the secret: that gradually deepening connection you forge with yourself during this process is noticed. This is why seasoned writers have that 'sticky’ factor; we are drawn to the solid grounding in self they have unearthed through their countless hours.
Even if the audience doesn’t comment or reply, your patience resonates with them as you come back and create again and again.
Your quiet persistence shapes not just your craft, but the trust placed in you.
The Power of Subtle Influence
Not every post will go viral. Few do. For some of us, none will—and that’s okay. It isn’t even the point. Some of the most impactful writing is quiet, simmering in readers’ minds long after they’ve closed the tab.
Your words/art don’t need to explode overnight to make a difference. By leaning into this truth, you create space for genuine relationships to form—both with your readers and with yourself.
Your Substack isn’t a quick pitch; it’s a long, evolving conversation.
Celebrating the power you already practice
Here’s the beauty: you’re already well-practised in patience. You’ve been honing it every time you:
Wait for inspiration to strike and show up anyway.
Publish to an audience that feels smaller than you hoped, trusting that your work matters.
Revise and refine, knowing that your best writing often takes time to surface.
Recognising these quiet strengths allows you to harness them more intentionally.
Use your strength in slow growth towards self to:
Write posts that prioritise depth over quick engagement.
Build connections that feel authentic, not rushed.
Trust that the work you’re doing today is laying the foundation for what’s to come.
Patience: A Transformative Power
Patience isn’t passive—it’s powerful. It’s the willingness to nurture your craft, your audience, and yourself over time, knowing that slow growth often yields the most enduring rewards.
By practising patience, you’re not just transforming your writing—you’re transforming your life.
The power of patience you practice in your creative endeavours, with quiet persistence, transforms not just your creations but your life.
Ta Hiron
The most impactful support for this writer is a share of this article…thank you.
I am exploring the power of patience in the series Time Makes the Miso, if you like the sound of more of that.
📚 How getting a tattoo is like publishing your writing
As I walk down the street to my job interview, I see an elderly couple coming my way and notice the lady staring at me with a frown. My mind scrambles, trying to figure out what I have done. Her frown morphs into a full-face look of disgust as we get close. As we pass, I see she is looking at my tattoos; her face sweeps up to mine…
All subscribers are thanked with a copy of my poetry book:
Embarking on Eudaimonia; with Beth Kempton who writes SoulStack
Beth Kempton is an active seeker who loves exploring big ideas. She taps into ageless wisdom, distilling it into text that inspires us as if we had taken her journeys alongside her.
Ohh I needed to read this today, thank you so much! ❤ One of the biggest mental shifts I had to anchor is was showing up for my creativity because I desire it and I want to nurture it and not only for the people who chose to follow me for a while. It makes it a bit easier to not get hung up on unfollows or low interaction/traffic seasons as well. Also! The photos with you in it are so lovely 🤗❤
What a loving and uplifting words, thank you! 🙏🏻