On my love for writing for free

From passion to profession: why I’m shifting things!

Hi lovely people,

I’m just going to be direct, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Ok, hear me out.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to share work online. I talked to my friend Lou, also an incredible artist, and we agreed it sometimes feels like giving birth to something tender and true only to drop it into the void.

The internet is magical. It brought me all of you, but as an artist and writer, it can also feel tough. (Bad Days Are Also Part of a Very Good and Sexy Life, right? Hihi.)

I’m not sure if people see it differently when it comes to copying text versus copying a painting or drawing. To me, it feels just as personal, and just as awful, as if someone spent hours painting something original, only to have it copied onto cheap paper and sold online. Is that flattering? (I’m still debating that one in my head.)

I’ve seen my writing copied onto Etsy, printed on mugs and sold online as their ‘own’ creations, hand-painted on restaurant walls in London. Quotes floating around with little or no credit, big brands outright copying my words and posting them as their own, using them in content plans with thousands of followers. And let me tell you this, from my experience as a communications advisor, I know someone is getting paid very well for that work—and it’s definitely not me.

Part of me is flattered, but another part feels gutted. Especially knowing others profit from something I wrote quietly, alone on my kitchen table, literally just trying to survive it all. I love writing. I always have. But I can’t do it full-time, not yet. I work a full-time job plus freelance just to keep things going which means less time to write. And I’ve been asking myself should I really try to turn this into a business? The answer is yes. A big, fat, sexy YES.

I write about emotional, messy, personal things pulled straight from my life and I love that. It’s the closest I’ve come to doing what I thought I’d do when I dreamed of becoming a psychologist. I want to understand, connect, help people feel less alone. But I can’t keep doing that for free in a capitalist world. This is my passion, but I also want it to be my job. My younger self never believed it was possible, writing or being an artist felt like something only “crazy people” or wealthy nepo babies could do. Now I know I’m one of those crazy (cool) people—definitely not a nepo baby, but crazy enough to believe I can make this my full-time life. I love writing. I love creating. I don’t want to work in an office forever. I want to write for others, collaborate, and do exciting projects. I truly believe there are so many opportunities out there.

So I’m making some changes. More writing here. Less on Instagram. I need this to be sustainable. I can’t keep giving it all away, not because I don’t care, but because I just can’t. Asking people to become paid subscribers still feels a little weird. But it also feels right. Even 5-10 euros a month would make a difference. You can try it, and if it is not worth it, unsubscribe at any time, no hard feelings. (Voice whispers in my head *who do you think you are*)

But here’s what I know. I’m allowed to protect some things. To share with more intention. To trust that the people who want to be here will be. I also want to open up more. Share more personal things. But it’s hard when it feels like I’m just shouting into the void. A smaller, steadier space changes that. Knowing who I’m writing to makes everything feel different.

Here’s the plan.
A newsletter. Every Sunday. Full of lists, thoughts, playlists, small essays. A quiet corner. No algorithm. Just something honest landing in your inbox.

And I’d love to hear from you. What would feel generous, nourishing, worth it? A letter every Sunday? Something shorter, more often? What would make you want to support this?

Thoughts?
Comment or email me: busywritinglists@gmail.com

And truly from the bottom of my soul, heart and brain; thank you for being here. For maybe supporting me either way, I really appreciate it so much.

PS I’m not disappearing. There will still be free content here in some shape or form. Just letting you know how I feel right now.

Xx,
Victoria (so much luv in dis club)