Food for thought, a gut punch, and word of encouragement all in one- this is what we need more of. I was just talking with my husband this week about how the common denominator between all of my favorite people in life is that they enjoy doing hard things. And that seems to be a recurring theme, our favorite curators are set apart because they like doing the uncomfortable work. As you said- they aren’t satisfied with just sharing a link they saw from someone else online, they go get their hands dirty and find the thing that makes people say ‘where the hell did you find this.’ Im obviously processing, and was obviously very into this. Thanks!
What an incredible comment on an incredible piece of writing! This felt so resonant with me, and while I haven’t completely parsed through my thoughts, I wanted to get involved here 😌. When I first started writing my substack, I didn’t consciously anticipate how much time and energy would go into the work. Albeit, I’m not curating, I’m deep diving and reviewing, but it’s still a heavy amount of research that really reinforces my respect for all of my fav writers on here! It feels like all of the journalism students are coming together again, now on their own terms. It’s easy to tell who has fun in the trenches of the internet, because it shines through in their writing - exactly what I feel from this piece.
Excuse the corny and likely unintelligible brain dump, but either way, I’m thankful for the writers, curators, and commenters doing what they love and connecting with others over it 🫶
love how you said 'it's easy to tell who has fun in the trenches of the internet.' so true, and tells what the internet truly feels like for some of us LOL.
What an amazing read - thank you!! You have perfectly articulated everything I have been thinking and feeling lately. I am an ex fashion buyer (turned curator - love that word!) and I recently made the decision to move my content from Instagram to Substack only a couple of weeks ago. I was at a crossroads where brands had started reaching out to me for paid partnerships and that started to feel really unsettling to me. Thank you for the reminder that the decision to keep this work honest and unsponsored is what is much needed right now! I truly feel there is a major shift happening in regard to paid influencer culture.
This was, as per usual, a phenomenal read. I loved how you emphasized how curation is far from seamless and requires hard work that people often confuse it with “taste”, sure both can overlap but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work involved! Loved this 🫶🏻
I think this might be a divine message (it sure was a divine read). As someone who loves to read, write and create (or perhaps curate?) you've made me think of something I often forget- the struggle with ingenuity in the creative world. I remember Justine Snacks over on TikTok posed a similar idea or perhaps reflection that I have thought about for a while now: "creativity takes time". This is truly a wonderful and most inspiring reflection, thank you!
thank you so much! I agree - we talk a lot about "creative genius" which makes it sounds like you either are creative or not, like it's something people are just born with. but it's a lot about curiosity and not so sexy research that leads to that. easy to forget and be hard on yourself bc of it!
Food for thought, a gut punch, and word of encouragement all in one- this is what we need more of. I was just talking with my husband this week about how the common denominator between all of my favorite people in life is that they enjoy doing hard things. And that seems to be a recurring theme, our favorite curators are set apart because they like doing the uncomfortable work. As you said- they aren’t satisfied with just sharing a link they saw from someone else online, they go get their hands dirty and find the thing that makes people say ‘where the hell did you find this.’ Im obviously processing, and was obviously very into this. Thanks!
ahhhh what a thoughtful response - thank you so much! <3
What an incredible comment on an incredible piece of writing! This felt so resonant with me, and while I haven’t completely parsed through my thoughts, I wanted to get involved here 😌. When I first started writing my substack, I didn’t consciously anticipate how much time and energy would go into the work. Albeit, I’m not curating, I’m deep diving and reviewing, but it’s still a heavy amount of research that really reinforces my respect for all of my fav writers on here! It feels like all of the journalism students are coming together again, now on their own terms. It’s easy to tell who has fun in the trenches of the internet, because it shines through in their writing - exactly what I feel from this piece.
Excuse the corny and likely unintelligible brain dump, but either way, I’m thankful for the writers, curators, and commenters doing what they love and connecting with others over it 🫶
it's soooo much effort to put out something throughout consistently and literally anyone who does this has my love and respect!!
love how you said 'it's easy to tell who has fun in the trenches of the internet.' so true, and tells what the internet truly feels like for some of us LOL.
What an amazing read - thank you!! You have perfectly articulated everything I have been thinking and feeling lately. I am an ex fashion buyer (turned curator - love that word!) and I recently made the decision to move my content from Instagram to Substack only a couple of weeks ago. I was at a crossroads where brands had started reaching out to me for paid partnerships and that started to feel really unsettling to me. Thank you for the reminder that the decision to keep this work honest and unsponsored is what is much needed right now! I truly feel there is a major shift happening in regard to paid influencer culture.
love it! and thank you so much fore reading!!
This was, as per usual, a phenomenal read. I loved how you emphasized how curation is far from seamless and requires hard work that people often confuse it with “taste”, sure both can overlap but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work involved! Loved this 🫶🏻
thank you so much!!!
I think this might be a divine message (it sure was a divine read). As someone who loves to read, write and create (or perhaps curate?) you've made me think of something I often forget- the struggle with ingenuity in the creative world. I remember Justine Snacks over on TikTok posed a similar idea or perhaps reflection that I have thought about for a while now: "creativity takes time". This is truly a wonderful and most inspiring reflection, thank you!
thank you so much! I agree - we talk a lot about "creative genius" which makes it sounds like you either are creative or not, like it's something people are just born with. but it's a lot about curiosity and not so sexy research that leads to that. easy to forget and be hard on yourself bc of it!
the moodboard is DEADDDDD
Lovely well written piece and I think with the rise of A.I human curation will only become more and more important….
we shall see!
really appreciated this piece - for what it's worth, i love getting your newsletters in my inbox :)
thank you!! <3
This post is so inspiring and a great read. Thank you for sharing Vik!
thank you!!