What If You Didn’t Check Your Stats For a Month?

Substack just launched a feature that lets you hide your stats.

(Dashboard > Settings > Privacy > Hide Stats)

And while I’m probably not turning mine off — I am inviting you to try turning them off with intention.

Because here’s what I’ve learned as someone who’s been called the Substack Data Queen:

Most creators don’t actually have a data problem. They have a context problem.

We check stats constantly, hoping for some magical insight — but what we get met with is mood swings.

Validation one hour, self-doubt the next.

And often this emotional labor just gets in the way of helping us tell better stories or build more meaningful relationships with our audience.

So if that’s you, I’m proposing an experiment:

Turn your stats off for the next month.

When you do, it’ll look something like this on your dashboard’s home page.

Let the numbers breathe and see what you uncover without the data being in your creative sand box.

Then consider joining us in December’s Publishing Mentorship Circle on Voxer — a private space where we’ll unpack what happens when you stop watching the numbers:

• What changed in your writing?

• What surprised you when you turned the stats back on?

• What questions do you actually have about your metrics?

We’ll look at the data together — and talk through what you saw, experienced and whether or not you think turning the stats off for longer stretches of time is right for your publishing plan.

You can join us for monthly Publishing Mentorship Circles (once per month; 12 total) for $99/year — going up to $199 soon).

Are you Team: Data Detox or a Dashboard Loyalist? Reshare this post to spread the good news and tell us how you’re using Substack’s new “hide stats” feature.

I’ll be watching and restacking your reactions.