Why I Don’t Believe in Paywalls

On generosity, a risk in leaving Substack, and why I’d like to send you stickers, no strings attached.

Why I Don’t Believe in Paywalls

I once read a leadership book that praised generosity as a way to “establish reciprocity.” Y’know, give something now, get something later. My lunch backed up a little in my throat.

Generosity isn’t a tactic. It’s something we do for its own sake—an outward sign of what’s in our heart. That’s why I’d like to send you a sticker.

*Breath*

It’s also why I’m hoping you’ll support me as I transition off Substack to a new platform called Ghost. More on that below.

The Generosity I’ve Received

There are over 600 people who get this in their inbox and of those 25 are paid subscribers. They didn’t subscribe to get perks (I don’t have any!) but because they wanted to care for me. Like Chandler, who already supports me in a dozen ways, including caring for my dog Walnut. Or my high school classmate Sofia who I haven’t seen since before iPhones existed. Or my coach Hope who has given me so much support already. Or Audrey who simply said “how can I help you.”

My life is abundant with generosity. My neighbor Shennen power-washing my patio last month. My friend Darcy texting to ask how my heart was. My friends Brian and Darrell nudging me to let people know how they can support me financially. The loving Mindful Sundays community (come join us if you’re in DC!). Dave, Katherine, and Vicki who sent incredibly generous feedback on my book manuscript.

And yes those who give me the gift of reading and sharing my work, sending encouraging notes, and offering thoughtful (and sometimes blunt!) feedback.

Generosity Feels Good

So why don’t I believe in paywalls? Because support is never just financial. It’s care, attention, depth. Paywalls collapse what we mean to each other into dollar signs.

In the Buddhist tradition, there’s a practice called dana: generosity not as a transaction, but as a gift. We offer because it feels right to do so. As Khalil Gibran wrote in the Prophet: “To those that give with joy, joy is their reward.”

You might take a moment to think about a generous act you’ve done lately. It’s joyful to meet a need, help someone feel that they matter or have a bit more ease in their day, isn’t it? And it’s strange we don’t do it more often. Let’s fix that.

So, in that spirit: I want to give you something. I have three sticker designs:

  • Sloth, a reminder to slow down
  • Jackrabbit, a nod to energy and exploring
    (both designed by my friend Sean Drown—follow him!)
  • Walnut the Dog, drawn by my brother using AI (I know! But it still was generous of him.)
If you’re interested I’ll send you one or all three: fill out >>this form<< (there’s also a place to add a note about how I can support you, too).

I have plenty of stickers & stamps, so don’t be bashful. It’s not a perk for subscribing or a reward for sharing. It’s just a tiny token of thanks for caring enough to read *these* *words*.

How I Want to Give Back Better

When I write, I put real care into each piece and try to keep it brief (I didn’t do great on this one 🙂). There are moments where I think, “It’s good enough, I’m tired, just send it.” Those are the times I want to pause and be more thoughtful with your attention. I also want to keep investing in new training and experiences so I can bring those perspectives to you.

But more than anything, I want to get better at supporting others as they experiment with vulnerable, new things.

I want to level with you all: I haven’t always been great at supporting others. In the last couple years while trying to build my own platform I’ve been jealous, I’ve compared subscriber counts, and I haven’t read and shared others’ work as much as I wish I did.

When I see someone at a farmer’s market selling earnest, homemade granola, too often my reaction is “Kinda pricey…” and I pass.

I aspire to be better. To see beyond the dollar signs and my own tension of going out on my own. To encourage others like…

Here’s my hot take: everyone–yes, you–have gifts, and the world is richer when you share your writing, art, volunteering, community projects or something else. I really hope you meander your way to doing so.

A Gentle Invitation to Support (but not on Substack)

I no longer have a federal government salary, so, yes, money is a useful resource for me.

Which brings me to a risk I’m taking: Next month, I’ll be turning off paid subscriptions on Substack. Partly because Substack takes 10%. But mostly because I want there to be one place for my offerings:

I’m switching to Ghost, a nonprofit platform that charges a flat fee and helps me bring this together in a simple way, without paywalls or algorithms. (I don’t get referrals).

If you’ve supported me here, I hope I can convince you to support me there. Every subscription goes 100% to me (and Walnut’s vet bills).

Click here and look for the Join & Support button to subscribe. There’s also an easy way to send one time support if that feels best for where you are now. Everything is appreciated.

What Sustains Me Most

But honestly? The thing that sustains me most isn’t financial.

It’s things like:

  • Ash sending me ideas for articles he wants me to write
  • Haley telling me she was more patient in traffic because of something I wrote
  • Claire telling me she told her boss about my article on Workplace Goodbyes and they started celebrating endings
  • The dozen folks who provided input of my book covers
  • All 600+ of you choosing to slow down alongside me

The other day my friend Max sent me this voice memo about my last piece: “Alex, I just read the article. It is so good. It is a really fresh take. I think I knew a lot of it, but it’s so nice to have it outlined. It takes us outside of our emotions and into the world of caring and understanding.” [emphasis mine]

YES! This is why I write. Not for a payment, but because you already know what I’m writing about.

I want what I hope my writing (and stickers) offer: a reminder of the wisdom in your body, and that you’re not alone. That there’s a whole community of us trying to move through the world with more care and intention.

I would ask you to join, but you’re already here. So thanks.

With love,
Alex

Subscribe for slow news in your inbox