Chapter 1: The Value of Your Creativity

It's perfectly acceptable to seek payment and build a sustainable income from your creative endeavors.

This month, I resumed offering a select number of coaching sessions. With my baby now nine months old, my husband and I have dedicated two days each month for me to assist writers in recognizing their potential and getting compensated for their authentic selves.

What I've discovered is that many individuals involved in creative work tend to underestimate the worth of their creativity, inadvertently sabotaging their own success. Writing is their superpower; creativity is their superpower. We’re talking about superheroes here. Yet, too often, these creatives strip off their superhero capes and tuck them away in the closet.

Many of us—myself included—believe we must maintain a sense of purity and elevate our craft above commercialism. This often leads us to offer our work for free or engage in low-paying gigs. While this approach may feel appropriate during certain phases of our lives, it becomes problematic when we no longer find it fulfilling or when we feel compelled to abandon our creative pursuits due to a lack of financial return.

I once believed in giving everything away at no cost. However, I have since recognized that while it’s commendable to provide free resources or low-cost offerings, it’s equally important to establish some paid avenues. These could include gated articles, online courses, paid eBooks, templates, checklists, live sessions, memberships, or YouTube videos with advertisements.

It's entirely valid to desire compensation for your writing. Wanting to enhance your income to pursue your passions—whether it’s leaving an unfulfilling job or diving into a side hustle—is perfectly reasonable.

I recently spoke with a part-time comedian who hesitates to disclose to his employer that he performs stand-up comedy at night. His aspiration is to fully commit to comedy and leave behind the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle.

We’ve been conditioned to think that anyone could take on our roles. The most troubling aspect is the belief that our work is interchangeable with countless others. Are there truly other "Kristina Gods" out there, carbon copies of me? I don’t believe so.

Discussing the financial aspects of writing should not be frowned upon. I often encounter criticism directed at those who successfully generate income through part-time writing, as if acknowledging the "commercial side" of writing is somehow taboo.

I have been writing online for over three and a half years, but my journey began at the age of six with short stories. After studying journalism at twenty, I dedicated years to the field, pouring immense effort and emotion into my writing. I wouldn't label myself a professional writer, but I strive to be someone whom others can relate to, find inspiration in, and support financially.

Through my Substack newsletter, "The Online Writing Club," I’ve managed to create a bestseller, generating over $1,200 each month. Wanting to excel as a writer and seeking compensation for your valuable contributions are not mutually exclusive desires. The internet—your blog or newsletter—is an incredibly useful tool to facilitate this.

Desiring to earn money from your writing doesn’t make you a sellout. On the contrary, I believe you deserve to be compensated for your work—no exceptions. So, declare it proudly: "I deserve to be paid for my writing! I am worth it. I am unique."

Hype yourself up—no one else will advocate for you. If you aspire to engage with influential figures, like Oprah, you must start taking small steps today.

After all, isn’t the real sellout someone who never even attempted to write? Isn’t it the person who failed to promote their work? The individual who didn’t believe their writing had value?

You are a writing hero. If you're nodding in agreement, consider joining Kristina's Online Writing Club, alongside 6,000 other like-minded creators.

Section 1.1: The Importance of Valuing Your Work

Chapter 2: Overcoming Self-Sabotage

This video featuring Dr. Gabor Maté discusses how to break free from self-sabotaging behaviors and reclaim your life in 2024.

Chapter 3: Understanding Self-Sabotage

This video explores the concept of self-sabotage, explaining what it is and how to stop engaging in these counterproductive behaviors.