23 Comments
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okayfoto's avatar

Great advice! Substack has really become refuge for me from all the garbage news. When I need a break, I open this app instead and usually leave feeling either refreshed or inspired. I’d have never given Substack a thought had I not heard you mention it so thanks for that.

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Yay!!! That’s so good to hear and I’m glad you are enjoying it. I really help that it stays this way and can remain a positive platform. It’s one of my favourite ways to share.

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Alicia Paley's avatar

Yes, wonderful advice! I have been spending less time in the toxic zones.

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Ana's avatar

Thank you Lucy! I saved this post :)

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Thanks Ana, great to hear it was helpful for you and thanks for reading 📖

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Arsalan Alim's avatar

Your videos have inspired me to get back on Substack and ditch the toxicity in the news at the moment. That lead to me finding this post which has turned my evening of doom scrolling into one in which i am reevaluating my street photography portfolio. Thanks Lucy!!

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Yay!!!!!! This has made me smile so big and I’m so glad to hear your evening got turned around into something creative and positive. Hope you’re portfolio is looking good 👍🏻🙋🏻‍♀️📸

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William Ryan's avatar

Yes! You've instigated a surge of photographers onto Substack. It's good to see some buzz. I've just started here, but think it has real potential to be a truly substantive forum for art in general. We just need to work as a community to regulate the vibe--take a little extra time to really engage with worthwhile content, rather than just pitching our own work. Overall, I think you're leading a good charge!

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Yes it does seem to have potential and I really hope it doesn’t get infiltrated with short form video or anything like that. Hopefully the surge in photogs on here will build a robust community. I have a video coming out soon that covers ways to use substack effectively and I mention how important it is to engage with others articles and notes etc to maintain that community aspect!

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Quetzal Brewster's avatar

Loved this post. The part about negativity surrounding social media is so real. Less so because it makes me upset or anything, but because I feel like I throw away so much of my time doomscrolling/brainrotting etc. Had my friend limit my screen time on instagram to 30 mins (dms and trying to start a new photography instagram so I need some time) and keep the passcode private. I then deleted all other socials besides youtube and reddit (helps with my hobbies, but i dont find content on there very interesting). Just doing this seemingly small thing has allowed me to focus so much more on random things I’ve always wanted to do, even if it’s not that important.

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Yes!!! It’s crazy how much you can get done if you aren’t just scrolling all the time! Well done and I hope this year is creative one for you

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Matt Murray's avatar

Great post as always LL! Thanks for the inspo and for shouting out for my video!

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Thank you MM you are the best!

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Edward Iglesias's avatar

This is great! May I add a smaller photography channel I really like called the RAW Society. I think they are out of Spain. https://youtu.be/bgyh9qJfQmw?si=amCBZ__dJqgXP-Bg

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Of course and thank you! Love to find new channels!

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Tim Carter's avatar

I love this. I’ve been trying to be much more mindful and aware of where my attention is going this year. I’ve been curating my social media engagement, and I feel so much better for it.

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

That’s good to hear! I am definitely doing the same and if I fall into bad a rolling habits I just out my phone down and think what else could I be doing that will feed me positively…

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Anthony Draper's avatar

This is great! (And I, for one, reaped a ton of benefit from your video about sharing my photography. Thank you!)

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Lucy Lumen's avatar

Thank you so much Anthony! Have a great weekend 🙋🏻‍♀️

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Doriyan Coleman's avatar

Thoroughly enjoyed this! 🙏

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Robert Wisken's avatar

I am on a mission in 2025 to create more and male better decisions to lead a healthier life. I never seem to think of social media like that, maybe because I've always just scrolled on if I don't like something. But the doom scrolling for me is the issue and im hoping that something like Substack will be the remedy.

Oh that picture of the blue cloth seats is just fantastic.

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Dale Weeks's avatar

I'm excited about being here in 2025.

Thanks for all the recommendations! I'll aim to keep posting, writing, taking photos and creating as much as possible this year!

This feels like a safe space 👏

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Nice post, Lucy! I recently came across your podcast on Spotify, pretty cool!

I remember that one with Adam Mosseri, love how even he says not to lose our purpose and integrity for the likes and views.

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