I Almost Quit Substack. These 7 Rules Changed Everything.
Let’s Be Honest: Substack Is Amazing — And Also Kind of a Minefield. How Not to Break Your Nervous System While Creating Here.
Let’s be honest: Substack is amazing… and also kind of a minefield. It’s creative heaven and a dopamine casino rolled into one.
For neurodivergent creators — those who think quickly, feel deeply, and obsess over every detail — Substack can be both a gift and a trap.
You get to share your voice freely. However, you can also watch your stats in real time and see them decline when a single post underperforms.
Been there? Same. Often, by the way 🙋🏻♀️.
A wishful thinking (I am working on this one):
I was held back by an illness for over five months (PTSS and nerve pain) and now I have to more or less start over again.
Things like that happen. Of course, it would have been ideal if I had already written enough posts and notes to go out automatically while I couldn’t work on them, but life doesn’t always go that way.
So this is my plan for the next two months: being able to work so far ahead that I can get sick without any problems — and my posts still go out automatically.
Makes sense, right?
So here’s how to not lose your mind (or your joy) when your brain doesn’t play by neurotypical rules.
Right now, my brain isn’t cooperating at all. Honestly, I want to run away screaming. But that would mean giving up — and that’s the last thing I want to do.
So let’s go!
1. Stop Checking Stats Like They’re Oxygen
Your dopamine-seeking brain loves those numbers — views, subs, likes, new signups. But here’s the thing: they’re never enough.
You’ll refresh, get a hit, and then immediately want more. That’s how burnout starts.
Try this:
Set a “stat-check day” once a week.
Or use tools like Freedom, Cold Turkey, SelfControl, or StayFocusd — programs that let you block websites like your Substack stats page. (You can thank me later.)
2. Schedule Your Energy, Not Your Time
Neurodivergent individuals often experience fluctuating focus, energy, and sensory thresholds. So why force yourself into a “Monday publish” routine if your brain isn’t on board?
Plan your writing around energy waves, not calendar blocks.
Batch on good days. Rest on off days. Consistency matters — but issues of sustainability matter more.
AI-Powered Prompts for Busy Creators
Save 5+ hours a week and reclaim your creative flow – Without the need to become an “AI Expert.”
Your Investment: Just €4
3. Build a Routine That Calms You
Substack rewards output. However, your brain may need to recover before you can be creative.
Create rituals that help you regulate:
A walk before writing.
A post-publish playlist.
A sensory reset (music, quiet, movement).
Rituals help signal: “I am safe. I can create now.”
That’s gold for a dysregulated nervous system. And I know what I am talking about. Believe me.
4. Mute the Comparison Spiral (super-important!!)
Substack is full of brilliant voices — but your brain will turn admiration into anxiety real fast.
“Why do they grow faster?”
“Why do they write every day?”
“Why is my open rate stuck at 42%?”
The answer? It doesn’t matter. You’re not behind. You’re just building differently.
When you notice the comparison creeping in, you can close the tab and write a sentence instead. Action breaks the loop.
Some successful voices might not even be as brilliant as you think. I once had an experience with a self-proclaimed Substack expert who consistently uploaded videos but never really said anything. And when you looked closer, everything she said about tech was either wrong or just vague. Nobody needs that.
But what can I say? She’s successful. Extremely successful. And I don’t understand why. 🤦♀️
But getting back to the videos: The truth is, not everyone wants to perform on camera every day. Especially if you’re more introverted, you probably won't be posting videos constantly. And that’s okay.
(Again: same for me 🙋🏻♀️)
A small, genuine community of truly remarkable people might actually be worth more than a massive audience that doesn’t really care.
5. Create for Connection, Not Performance
When you’re neurodivergent, authenticity isn’t optional — it’s oxygen. Trying to “perform” or fit a formula will fry your brain (and your joy).
Substack thrives on human connection. Write how you think, feel, and process.
People can feel it — and that’s what makes your voice magnetic. I promise.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Slow
Neurodivergent creators often think in terms of deep dives, rather than daily sprints. And that’s your superpower.
You don’t have to publish weekly. You have to publish meaningfully. Could you write about something that matters to you?
Slow, thoughtful writing builds loyal readers — not just subscribers chasing novelty.
7. Make “Good Enough” Your Creative Philosophy
Perfectionism = the enemy of every neurodivergent writer. (Aaaaahgrrrrrr! So much me! 🙋🏻♀️)
You’ll rewrite forever, obsess over details, and delay sharing until it feels “right.”
Spoiler: it never will.
You can just hit publish anyway. Imperfect consistency is infinitely better than perfect invisibility.
(I need to remind myself every day.)
Final Thought
Substack can amplify your creativity — or your anxiety. The difference is boundaries, not talent.
Your neurodivergent brain doesn’t need fixing. It just needs space to work its way — with less pressure, fewer tabs, and more grace.
So go easy on yourself. Write what feels alive. And remember: your pace is still progress.
I have your back.*
*Highly sensitive, PTSS, Major Depression, and Short Bowel Syndrome.
With warmth and creativity,
🌿 Silke Kristin Juelich
💡5-MINUTE DIGITAL SHORTCUTS
Helping writers, creators, and artists simplify tech, connect through co-working, and grow through shared challenges.
✨ Let’s make tech feel easy again.
