38 Comments
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Georgina Bruce's avatar

Woo, first! Lovely post, Francis, and I so agree - there are some truly lovely people on here and you are one of them! Thanks for the shout out <3

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Francis F's avatar

Thanks Georgina.

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Lewis Holmes's avatar

Haha, the competitiveness thing is so true. I am laid back to a fault but, ooohhh I hate it when shit doesn't take off like I think it should. All the "You're doing this for you" mantras on earth don't quiet the beast.

Cracking piece Francis, thank you for the shout out.

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Francis F's avatar

Haha, thanks Lewis

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

I think we can all relate to this Francis. Spending time on here has given me the push to leave other forms of social media, because this is where the support truly lies. I really enjoy your take on life, and often feel your frustrations. Thanks so much for the mention xx

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Francis F's avatar

Me too , I’m hardly ever on facebook or insta these days. Thank you Sharon.

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Margaret Bennett's avatar

When my daughter was in Year 5 at primary school I was feeling left out at the school gates. I was an older working mum who’d moved to a new area and didn’t fit in very well with the cliques. One of my old friends reminded me that it’s a marathon not a sprint.

It’s slow and steady Francis and that is good for me. Happy to be here swimming among the big fish.

And enjoying your posts. Keep going! It’s fun reading them. You have a great take on things. Thanks for the mention too.

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Francis F's avatar

I know that feeling too re the school gates! Thank you Margaret. ☺️

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Lauren Cortis's avatar

Aww, thanks so much Francis- I’m so glad I found you here!🤗

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Mark V Smallwood's avatar

You have a rare talent Francis and a heart of gold. From one crap dater to another - delete Bumble 🚨🤦🏻‍♂️🤣 - I’m just emerging from a crazy month - speak soon and I’m delighted we’ve found each others writing x

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Francis F's avatar

Thanks Mark. Haha, can’t wait for a catch up get the latest from you 😁

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Swamp Ruby's avatar

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!!!!!

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Me Write stuff's avatar

You have found your audience because you write interesting things in a relatable way - sounds simple but is not. Thanks for the mention - I have been very lazy recently and have not posted much at all. Keep up the sterling work.

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Francis F's avatar

That you Michael 😊

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Charlotte Stephens's avatar

And thank YOU for sharing your words with us x

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Sara Perry's avatar

Francis! I'm so glad we found each other. The laughs and realness you provide instantly endeared me to you. Thanks for the shoutout!

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Francis F's avatar

Thanks Sara ☺️

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Dean The Sated Ire's avatar

I made it on the list! FAME!

Yeah, it's great when you can carve out a little niche with community with other writers. When people read what I've written I feel much like when I had sex as a teenager, I pretend it's no big deal but truthfully I can't believe it.

If I ever lose that, I'd stop writing.

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Francis F's avatar

🤣🤣🤣 you always make me laugh Dean

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Jill Homer's avatar

Thanks for the shout-out! I also love Substack and the people I've connected with here. It reminds me of the old-school blog days during the 2000s, before social media made us all suspicious and sad (sure, Substack has its share of competition and algorithm machinations, but it's easier to ignore and there are plenty of writers who do.)

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Francis F's avatar

So true, it’s such a supportive group. 😄

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Quin Halloway's avatar

You’ve really captured what it feels like to be new here. So often I question what I'm doing, but then remember why I started in the first place.

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Francis F's avatar

Thank you for reading , so glad it resonated. 😄

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Daniel Puzzo's avatar

Yet another lovely post, and thank you for the mention ☺️

(I can share more of my thoughts in person 😉)

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Francis F's avatar

Yes 🙌🙌🙌 can’t wait 😄

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Faith Liversedge's avatar

All of the above Francis! I love your honesty and writing and am so glad to be in this community with you - it's great to hear Substack put a spring in your step. And thank you so much for the mention!

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Francis F's avatar

Thanks Faith 😁

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Abigail's avatar

The Substack monster! 🤣 This is so real. The other day I was soooo excited to get two new subscribers I didn't know (so it wasn't an obligatory family/friend subscribe). I was on top of the world. I felt like a real writer. But then I saw a note from someone who said they'd been on substack roughly the same time I had been but they already had over a thousand subscribers. I instantly felt like garbage. Which is just ridiculous. Your hilarious post made me feel so much better. We are not alone! We are doing this for fun! Period. The end. Cue the Hallelujah chorus (from your edgy choir). 😍😍😍

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Francis F's avatar

Hahaha, brilliant 🤩 We are definitely not alone ! It resonates with so many of us 🤦🏻‍♀️😆😆 Yes ! Keep up the mantra song 🎵 we are doing this for fun 🤩

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