27 Comments
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Molly Simpson's avatar

Well this is just a big warm hug of a post. The kind that gives an extra squeeze just before letting go. I’m also in the process of learning not to see creativity/creative success as a zero sum game - there’s plenty out there for everyone, and all you have to do to claim it is show up when you can, in whatever way you can. You go girl!

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Jenny Clark's avatar

🥰

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Soooo much love for you!

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Jenny Clark's avatar

☺️💕

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Chris Thide | Coach's avatar

It doesn’t even matter to me whether someone’s art is for me or my thing or I’m into it. I just want everyone to express themselves because that’s a more interesting world.

I wasn’t always like this, because I wasn’t expressing my own self, so I was feeling all blocked up and negative and whenever I saw someone expressing themselves, I had to undermine it

Sharing that because I think that’s what’s happening and basically anyone who doesn’t root for us

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Yesss I totally relate to this

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Chris Thide | Coach's avatar

(And = in / with)

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Caroline Beuley's avatar

I love this! And I feel the same way — the people that show up and support me who I’ve never even met mean the world to me! Someone supporting your art is the greatest gift ❤️

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Jenny Clark's avatar

It really is 🥹

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Chanda Daniels's avatar

I feel so seen with this Jenny! The same doubts the same fears but has made me feel beyond encouraged! I’m rooting for you and everyone else too

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Jenny Clark's avatar

💞💞💞

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Alex Lewis's avatar

“I was already so loved.”

This essay is a gift, Jenny. Thanks for writing it and sharing with all of us.

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Ahh thank you Alex 🥲

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Nur Nadar's avatar

I’m a simple man. I see Schmidt and Nick, I press ‘like’ 🤷‍♂️

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Hahaha fair enough

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Becky Butler's avatar

This is so beautiful! I also didn’t feel like my writing really mattered until a few random substack friends and I really started supporting each others writing without actually knowing each other! I also don’t know why it’s the messages from strangers that I held the closest to my heart at first like proof I was good bc people that didn’t know me cared. But your post is one of the first times I’m thinking that maybe it’s cool that people who love me love my writing too :) thank you!!!

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Ah I’m so glad!

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maja roglić's avatar

YES yes yes. the only thing i think about now is, where would i be if i had believed in myself earlier on…ah, well. better now than never.

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Ahhh same! Never too late I suppose

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Yvonne's avatar

So relatable! I am rooting for you and I applaud you for all you do. Sending you love and a great big hug. ❤

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Ahhhh thank you!! 😊🙏

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HANNAH's avatar

Jenny this is so relatable xxx

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Jenny Clark's avatar

💕

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Brenna's avatar

I feel this Jenny! I also think there’s people who enjoy my work who never like or comment! But when I see them they tell me how much they like my work. So don’t forget about the invisible readers out there too ❤️

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Jenny Clark's avatar

Ah yes love that, they def exist :)

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corinne behnke's avatar

say it with your whole chest!! it's so beautiful to see the vocal support of art for art's sake online like this.

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Ian Winter's avatar

Support that comes out of the blue is the best

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