I Didn’t Mean for It to Go Viral… But It Did.

Viral ≠ Valuable

12 days into starting my Substack, I hit 200 subscribers and literally couldn’t believe it.

I was so grateful and wanted to do something to help provide value to others! To celebrate, I posted a short note:

I meant every word.

The intention was real: to support fellow writers, encourage mutual visibility, and keep momentum human. I thought maybe a handful of people would engage.

What happened next… surprised me.

The post went viral.

Hundreds of new people discovered my Substack, reshared the thread, and joined the conversation. My subscriber count jumped again. It was exciting. But honestly? It really scared me.

Not because I don’t want to grow.

Not because I don’t believe in generosity.

But because something felt off.

I started this newsletter because I wanted something quieter. Deeper. More real. I left other platforms because the noise, the performance, the pressure to “grow at all costs” left me drained and disconnected from my actual work.

So when this post exploded, a part of me panicked: “Is Substack becoming just like all the others?”

The truth is: I don’t want to lead by going viral.

I want to lead by authentic serving.

And while the post was celebratory and inclusive, I realized that volume isn’t the same as value. A viral moment isn’t necessarily a meaningful one. The kind of space I want to build here isn’t built on popularity contests or engagement bait—it’s built on clarity, honesty, and deep, useful work.

• That means being intentional.

• That means saying no to easy reach if it doesn’t align.

• That means remembering why I started this newsletter in the first place.

So moving forward, I’m doubling down on value-driven service.

Fewer crowds. More connection.

Fewer callouts. More clarity.

If you’re here for the long game—for building something real, sustainable, and true—welcome. You’re in the right place.

Wishing you an amazing extended weekend 🎉

— Tamar