I’ve been doing this for years now.
Writing. Posting. Sharing. Showing up like all the experts say you’re supposed to.
Blog posts? Check.
Newsletter? Check.
Social media? Oh, I am everywhere.
And the result?
…hello? Is this thing on?
Because from where I’m sitting, it feels a lot like I’ve been enthusiastically talking to myself on the internet since its inception – with two cats as my primary audience, and honestly, even they seem only mildly invested.
The Advice We’re All Supposed to Believe
You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it. We’ve all heard it.
“Just be consistent.”
“Keep showing up.”
“The algorithm will reward you.”
“It takes time.”
And sure—on paper, that sounds great. Inspirational, even.
But there’s a part they don’t really talk about.
The part where you are consistent.
You do keep showing up.
You do the work.
And still…
Nothing happens.
No flood of subscribers.
No sudden spike in engagement.
No magical moment where the internet collectively decides you’re worth paying attention to.
Just you. Refreshing stats. Again.
The Reality of Posting Into the Void
There’s a very specific kind of silence that comes with putting your work out there and hearing absolutely nothing back.
It’s not dramatic. It’s not loud.
It’s quiet.
It’s:
- Checking your post stats five minutes after publishing (as if anything has changed)
- Getting irrationally excited over one like
- Wondering if people saw it… or just scrolled right past
- Trying not to take it personally… and failing just a little
And here’s the thing—this isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about effort.
Because when you care about what you’re creating, silence feels like indifference. And indifference is a tough pill to swallow.
Let’s Talk About “Doing It Right” (A.K.A. Etsy Reality Check)
Let me give you a real-world example.
I sell on Etsy. I create things I’m genuinely proud of. I price them fairly.
So let’s say I make a sale—$80 order. Not bad, right?
Now let’s break it down:
- Etsy fees take their cut
- Listing fees nibble away
- Payment processing grabs a piece
- Shipping costs step in like they own the place
And then there’s the big one:
“Offer free shipping—it helps your listings!”
Sure. Of course it does.
Because nothing says “great business model” like pretending shipping doesn’t exist while quietly absorbing the cost yourself.
By the time everything is said and done?
That $80 order turns into… what? Maybe $20?
On a good day.
So now not only are you creating, marketing, packaging, and shipping—but you’re also playing financial gymnastics just to make it make sense.
And somehow, you’re still supposed to smile and “keep showing up.”
So… Why Bother?
This is the part where most people either quietly fade out…
…or decide to keep going.
And I’ll be honest—I’ve asked myself this more than once.
Why keep writing when nobody’s reading?
Why keep posting when nothing’s clicking?
Why keep pushing when the return feels… nonexistent?
Here’s the only answer I’ve come up with that doesn’t feel like nonsense:
Because stopping guarantees nothing.
At least this way—there’s a chance.
A small one? Sure.
A slow one? Absolutely.
A frustrating, hair-pulling, what-am-I-even-doing kind of one? Without a doubt.
But still… a chance.
And maybe that’s the whole game.
Not instant success. Not overnight growth.
Just stubbornly continuing when it would be easier to quit.
Then there’s my Editorial Team. They weight in…
Mika (Creative Director, Tortitude Division) has reviewed this post by sitting directly on my keyboard for most of it.
Koji (Head of Quality Control) has ensured all materials meet his standards by knocking a pen off the desk and walking away.
Neither of them care about analytics.
Neither of them are concerned with engagement metrics.
Neither of them have once asked about subscriber growth.
And yet—they show up. Every day.
Unbothered. Unimpressed. Consistent.
Honestly… they might be onto something.
Final Thoughts From the Void
If you’re out there creating—writing, making, posting, building—and it feels like nobody’s paying attention…
You’re not alone.
Not even a little.
Some of us are just… a little quieter about it.
But we’re still here.
Still showing up.
Still trying.
Still hitting “publish” even when it feels like shouting into empty space.
And maybe—just maybe—eventually, someone hears it.
Until then…
I’ll be here.
Posting into the void.
With two cats.
Who remain deeply unimpressed.
Ciao,
The snarkiest cat…
Written for The Cat Whisperer Blog by Annie St. Germain, resident Cat Whisperer and chronicler at Snarky Cat Boutique. 🐾
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