Big Little Wins: From 0 to 100 subscribers on Substack in 47 days
& the 3 precious souls who pledged their support! 💜
Hi Friends,
Forty-seven days ago, I had no clue that 100 people would subscribe to read my words. As a writer, this journey has been THRILLING but also filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and moments where I questioned whether my voice mattered. Each writer’s journey is different, marked by unique struggles and wins. Mine has so far been a whirlwind of emotions (I’m also a cancer sun!) - from heart-in-the-cloud highs of creative inspiration to crushing lows of writer's block. All in just a few weeks (oof the pressure we put on ourselves) We all go through it.
& then on May 18th, 2024, something beautiful happened. I hit a my first major milestone—100 subscribers to Mo's Magazine! It was a Saturday, but I only learnt of my target achievement on Sunday.
Sunday, a day typically reserved for relaxation or personal projects (like attempting a headstand without wall assistance), but I was neck-deep in scouting collaborations for my sustainable fashion brand, Purple Potato. Not a hint about being on the brink of such an exciting news!!!
There I was, blissfully unaware, engrossed in research, when my Fitbit buzzed, reminding me to "stand up and stretch!" Little did I know, this mundane moment would turn into one of the most memorable days of my life.
Taking a break from work, I decided to use the loo. It was sitting on the toilet seat, I discovered I had not only reached my goal but exceeded it! 102 unique, curious, and enthusiastic readers had chosen to subscribe to my magazine.
A tidal wave of joy and gratitude washed over me.
I constantly worry about running out of things to say, a fear every writer knows all too well. But I found my community on Substack. There are friends who make me laugh until my sides hurt, others who sit with me through tears, and some who have shared invaluable advice about getting published. There are also those who are just starting to gather the courage to share their own stories.
Each subscriber means the world to me. Every single one of you has decided that what I have to say is worth a space in your life, and that is an honor I do not take lightly. I eagerly anticipate every email from readers who want to engage on a deeper level. Your support, interest, and interaction fuel my passion and keep me going.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes us next. Stay curious, stay connected, and keep reading—there's so much more to come!
Introducing the three people who've pledged their support towards Mo’s Magazine
It’s a dream to live off of writing. For writing to allow me to create the world of my dreams in real time, as I write about it. All artists desire for their work to get recognised, acknowledged, felt. But we do not create for validation. We create because it breathes & lives within us. To put our emotions on the table for review. To release a bit of magic as we feel it. To let you in.
& I’m so grateful to the three people who’ve pledged their support to me.
The first, my father: he is not a reader, but he is a supporter. He is the wind beneath my wings and the driving force behind my commitment. I get my artistic language & all-or-nothing attitude from his side of the gene pool.
The second, my best friend, boyfriend, and soon-to-be husband: Prithvi. He is my cheerleader, grammar teacher, and sounding board. You see, my first language is Hindi. It's the language I think in. If I ever speak in my dreams, it's in Hindi. So, English was a challenge and a half for me, but I am learning and growing. He corrects me gently. Nudges me with linguistics. With love.
And the third person to pledge her support to me, Vebha Masi. "Masi" means "like mom." She is the wild bird mom of all moms and my dearest confidant. In her eyes, I can do no harm, no wrong. She sees the purest forms of me and the darkest too, and loves me just the same.
You allow me to write as unfiltered and crudely or as straight and smoothly as the mood strikes me, and you still stick around. That’s a rare thing, and I thank you deeply for it.
We have a lot of work to do between now and growing our community from 100 to 1,000. If you appreciate what I’m doing here, now would be a fantastic time to help me continue informing, amusing, and even making you chuckle at the screen once or twice a week by becoming a regular or supporting subscriber. If you’re already a regular subscriber, please share my work—or the parts of it that move you—with a friend. It helps me spread art through you into corners of the world I could never otherwise reach.
For just INR 400 or $4.80 a month, or INR 4,000 a year, you can help me reach my humble goal of finally getting my dream home & being a cat mom.
Something special for the 115 people reading this newsletter; a note on love
Think of soft peach fuzz on your cheek. The tickle of green grass growing like hair between your toes. The air smells of pink pepper perfume, and every step you take squishes juicy grapes underfoot. It leaves trails of slimy grape juice.
A note on love: What if all you wanted really came true? What if love was like finding the perfect seashell on the beach or catching the first snowflake on your tongue?
Question: What does love feel like?
Answer: Love feels like warm sunshine on your face after a long winter. It’s the smell of cookies baking in the oven, and the sound of laughter with your best friend. Love is soft like a kitten’s fur and sweet like honey. It’s when you feel safe and happy. As if you’re tucking yourself for the first time in hotel room beds.
Love is gentle breeze that rustles through autumn leaves. Makes them dance and swirl around you in a flurry of reds, oranges, and golds. It’s the sight of a rainbow after a rainstorm, arching across the sky with its promise of hope and wonder. Love is the taste of a ripe strawberry, juicy and delicious, bursting with flavor on a warm summer day.
Love is walking through a field of wildflowers, vibrant colors stretching out as far as you can see; delicate petals brush against your skin as you pass by. It’s the smell of fresh-cut grass in spring, a scent that fills you with a sense of renewal and possibility. The feeling of a soft, fluffy cloud under your fingertips, light and airy, yet incredibly comforting.
It’s hearing your favorite song on the radio and singing along at the top of your lungs, feeling the music pulse through your veins and lift your spirit. Love is the crackle of a campfire under a starry night sky, where the warmth of the flames and the twinkle of the stars make you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. It’s the joy of running through the sprinklers on a hot day, the cool water splashing against your skin and making you giggle with delight.
It’s the joy of creating something with your own hands, whether it’s a piece of art, a delicious meal, or a handmade gift for someone special. Love is magical, and it makes everything better.
I love you lots.
Here’s a fishy kiss.
Nature is brimming with poetry, if you just take the time to listen. This 9-page guide offers everything you need to dive into the beauty of nature with a poet’s eye. From choosing the right location to engaging all five senses, this guide will help you unlock the writing potential hidden in leaves, birdsongs, and morning dew. Bonus resources included for even more inspiration!
Another way to show your love for my work is to share my posts, buy me a coffee to help me travel to America, & leaving sweet comments under my posts🧡
Mohika, your unadulterated, candid and honest expressions are your biggest strengths and now besides the Trinity of your life, you have hundreds like me standing by your wing and resonate with what you share from the bottom of your heart. You have already achieved many milestones, but this deserve a loud congratulatory note. Keep it up, Mohika.