Try It or Toss It? Weigh In on My Newest Substack Challenge
Could you write a 100-word personal self-awareness story?
Try It or Toss It? Weigh In on My Newest Substack Challenge
I’m feeling very introspectie this week and thought I’d turn to you for some guidance. I’ve realized I’m much better at seeing other people than seeing myself.
Here’s what I’ve been tossing around lately:
Writing as Therapy:
Expressing myself through writing has been incredibly therapeutic for me. It not only helps me express my emotions but also helps me understand what I’m feeling. It’s a powerful self-awareness tool.Learning Through Writing:
Writing helps me absorb information better than just reading, watching videos, or taking classes. By putting what I’ve learned into my own words, it sticks. Especially when others engage with my writing, offering their comments and shared self-awareness experiences.The Out of Sight, Out of Mind Phenomenon:
I’ve noticed that when I only write things in my Notes app. or on Notion, they tend to get lost. There’s something about keeping my thoughts in an accessible space, like Substack, that helps me stay accountable and engaged.
Could You Write a 100-Word Self-Awareness Story?
Now, here’s where I’d love your input…
I’ve been thinking about how I can express my self-awareness experiment through the Human Design System and other tools I’ve used over the years, but in a way that benefits others too.
I love reading the Fiction Dealers Microdosing of Fiction by
and others like that on Substack. Where they offer a prompt and write a fictional story within a certain amount of words (usually 100, 50, or even 25). Then invite others to do the same with that same prompt.Would we be able to do something similar only focused on self-awareness instead?
The Challenge:
Could I write meaningful self-awareness stories in just 100 words? Could you?
Would you enjoy participating in this kind of Substack challenge? Sharing your own self-awareness stories or those of someone you know?
We could share relatable topics like addiction, anxiety, grief, parenting, and just life in general. Things that we all experience in different ways and that often carry a deep personal story.
I’m thinking of adding this idea to my Human Design section on Substack and calling it Self-Awareness for the Rest of Us. Why that name? Because I’ve never fit into the typical molds, and most self-awareness techniques assume a baseline way of processing life that typically doesn’t work for me.
Finally, should I keep it to just the story, or include some background on why the prompt came up? For instance:
Example Prompt: Shock
Gate 51 is the Gate of Shock, representing the energy to withstand shock and disrupt complacency. It can jolt oneself or others into action, pushing toward personal growth, transcendence, and self-love.
We all have everything in our Human Design charts—some aspects are activated, while others remain dormant, waiting for the right interaction to be unlocked.
Would this be enough context, or should I add more details before the story?
Example 100-Word Story:
Sandy spent years trapped in toxic patterns, feeling overwhelmed by chaos. She confided in her friend, “I’ve tried everything, but peace always feels out of reach.” Her friend shared a story with similar struggles, and suddenly, Sandy's perspective shifted. The fear that once controlled her seemed smaller. “I can’t keep living like this,” she realized. With newfound purpose, she left—not with panic, but with calm resolve. The shock wasn’t in making the decision; it was in the clarity she felt stepping into the unknown. Sandy understood the power to disrupt her life had been within her all along.
Share your 100-word self-awareness story with the shock prompt in the comments or tag me if you share it elsewhere!
As you can see, I’ve got lots of questions! I’d love your feedback, suggestions, advice and opinions to help me work through this idea.
Would you try it or toss it?
Lori K Today is a lifestyle publication reflecting on life with GenX humor, Ginger Sass, and all Heart. Sharing mostly short stories, derived from my life and/or my imagination.
I think this is a cool idea. Also, that you should do all voice overs for my posts. Lol
I say go for it. You’ll never know if you don’t give it a shot. It looks like you’ve given it some thought already. And it looks like you know how to pull it off. The 100 words might just be small enough for someone to be a bit vulnerable who is typically more reserved or shy. And it might be just long enough to share a small self-reflection and drilling down to the core of what you’re thinking about and cutting all the other fluff. If someone wants to write more, they can always use the 100 words as a catalyst for a longer form post or article somewhere else.
Best.