I’m staying on Substack because part of my income comes from Substack. The money I make here puts me at just over $34k a year (including all my other income), and I am a single human being barely scraping by financially. As much as I’d love to have the resources (time, energy, income) to move my newsletter somewhere else; I don’t. As much as I hate what’s unfolding, I’m still so deeply grateful for the opportunity to write what I want and be paid for it. And I’m heartbroken that the ones who run this platform have behaved so unethically. But I’m not surprised, unfortunately.

As someone who has sold drugs, sold myself, worked fast food, worked as a housekeeper, nannied for abusive employers, and spent years of my life unhoused, I refuse to feel shame for staying here. The amount of revenue Substack makes from my newsletter is insignificant to them, while the income is life-changing for me. I can afford decent food and car insurance because of what I make here. And I don’t have an extra moment or an extra cent right now. So, I’m staying. And I will keep writing my little heart out, and I’ll keep reading the writing I love, whether it’s here or elsewhere.