How to Use Substack as a Reader
And Why you Might Want To.
Since moving all of my content, energy and writing to Substack, I’ve been asked the same questions again and again:
"What is Substack? Do I need another app? "
If you've been wondering the same, this article is for you! It’s quieter than Instagram and Tik Tok and it brings me back to the blogging days where I first started writing and sharing online.
What is Substack?
Substack offers the beauty, format and long-form content that we used to find in blogs fifteen years ago. Articles are published and archived- available for reading anytime on the web- but they are also sent out via email to readers when I hit publish.
There’s also a Substack app that’s beautifully simple and feels like a much slower, intentional and heartfelt version of Instagram- reminiscent of the days when people weren’t creators or influencers. When we shared beautiful photos with deep and honest captions.
Free vs. Paid Subscriptions.
I offer both free and paid “posts” (aka. articles/emails):
Free subscribers get access to anything I publish publicly, a monthly Sunday Pause newsletter and previews of my other articles, recipes and resources.
Paid subscribers receive more in-depth content: full access to my weekly articles, the weekly Sunday Pause, copies of my eMag Nourish + Thrive and invites to my seasonal workshops.
Paid subscriptions support my time and energy as a writer, mother, teacher and guide. They allow me to keep showing up with integrity and care—and they allow you to say, "Yes, this matters to me."
Using the App is Optional- but Highly Recommended.
The benefits of the Substack app are:
You can read posts without checking your inbox
You can comment and interact with other writers and community members
You can save or share your favourite pieces
I wanted a space that felt more human and that fosters deeper connections with those are looking for it. I wanted fewer distractions, minimal video, no ads and had a reader-first design that’s not driven by an algorithm. I recommend making the app, and the writer’s you invite in, a part of your evening reading ritual. You can read about how I do that here.
How to Subscribe.
You can click the subscribe button on any page or post. You’ll be asked to enter your email—that’s it. If you’d like to support my work more deeply, you can upgrade to a paid plan anytime (monthly or annual).
Discovering Other Substacks
One of my favourite features is the recommendation tool. When you subscribe, you’ll see other publications I recommend—writers and artists I love, many of whom I know you’ll love too.
A Little Announcement
I’ve been writing The Sunday Pause every week (along with many other articles) for a few years now. It’s something I deeply love doing — sharing snippets from my week, my latest research and findings, as well as inspiring links, resources, and recipes. It’s a pleasure, but it’s also a labor of love.
To sustain this work and continue offering high-quality writing and thoughtful reflection, I’ve decided that going forward, the weekly Sunday Pause will be available to paid subscribers only. However, I understand that not everyone is able to support my work financially at this time, and I want to honor those readers who still find value in what I share.
So, the first Sunday of every month, the Sunday Pause will remain open and free for all readers.
If you’re here, reading this, thank you. Truly. Whether you’re a longtime reader or someone just finding your way into this space, I’m grateful you’ve landed here.
If you’d like to explore seasonal living, homemaking, and rituals of care alongside me, you can subscribe below. And if you’re ever curious about creating your own Substack, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned so far.
Your readership and your kind presence makes it possible for me to continue writing and sharing.
If you’re still curious about how Substack works, this article offers a great overview. In the meantime, I hope these emails continue to land where they’re needed most. Feel free to forward them to a friend—it’s one of the simplest ways to share something meaningful.
I am missing out on tons of your writing that I would like to be reading somehow.... do you still send emails? Probably not. I might need to find a way to read substack regularly. I think of it as a great corner of the internet that i don't really have time for but maybe i need to think about how integrate it into my rhythms.