Finding Yourself On The Internet
...it's me, Leila.
So I’m starting a Substack. Potentially another platform to overextend myself as I pursue what it means to be an independent creative in the 21st century.
Over the years, I’ve accrued more social media platforms than I would care to admit or regularly engage with. I find myself at my healthiest when I am removed from the constant bombardment of what everybody else is thinking, feeling, and hyper-fixated on the moment, so the fact that I have a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, TikTok, Discord, you name it…is more than slightly ironic. Growing up, my mother always said that I beat to my own drum. Apparently, in today’s media landscape, so does just about everyone.
So why Substack? Why not a singular focus on one of the many social media platforms I already have? The answer is simply that I have yet to find a platform that awards my preference for long form media. Youtube would seem like a natural fit, given my pursuit as a musician. I’ve attempted this at one time or another, and I quickly learned that putting myself in front of a camera multiple times a week is not my inherent idea of fun. This continues to be my struggle with short form media such as Instagram or TikTok. The latter has proved its moments of joy and fruition, as I edit and splice together musical compositions to offbeat compilations of found footage. Yet I’ve found that the art of expressing oneself via “vlog” to remain elusive and forced.
However, I’ll be damned if just because one form of media is not my perfect match, that means that I am without means of growing and developing an online community of likeminded weirdos. At its best, the beauty of the Internet is the democratization of ideas, businesses, independents, creatives, etc. It’s a place to build yourself and the future you want. And your girl has worked in more than a few industries over the years to know that she wants in, just like everyone else. As previously noted, the collective “beat to your own drum” generation is here.
The community I aspire to build here is one that is inquisitive, thoughtful, patient, and kind. I consider this newsletter as a means to further connect with the people who have already given me so much support through the years in the way I know best: writing.
A myriad of content (essays, poems, unreleased demos, art, etc.) posted throughout the work week will be available for free and paid subscribers, though the latter can expect a scrumptious tier more. On that note, I’ve set subscriptions at $8 a month. Not because I’m a greedy bastard per se, but because, surprisingly, I put some weight in numerology and my life path number happens to be 8. Crazy.
(If this number proves to be too high of a barrier for entry, I have included a small poll down below. We’ve all got expenses and I’d prefer not to be the straw on the camels back, but rather that rad local lavender latte you treat yourself to once a month.)
My biggest hope is that through this medium, we can further connect and have a conversation. Cheers and welcome to the chaos.