How I Am Becoming The Writer I’ve Always Wanted To Be in 2026

IIn 2026, I want to become a paid Substack writer.

I’m sharing that openly because this space matters to me, and I want to build it in a way that’s thoughtful, sustainable, and rooted in care.

To support that, I’ll be structuring my writing around two ongoing series—both free.

The first will be The Analog Experiment, where I’ll share the highs and lows of stepping away from constant digital noise—what I’m learning, what’s working, and what isn’t.

The second will be relaunching my “Building a Soft Life After Mom Burnout” series. This series will now be the “Becoming After Burnout” series and will go deeper into the tools, frameworks, and rhythms that helped me rebuild after burnout, offering practical, faith-rooted support. After initially paywalling this series, I’ve decided to keep this writing free as part of my desire for this newsletter to function as a ministry. I’ll also be offering more detail and depth in this relaunch than before. I’m really excited about that!

Alongside this writing, I’m also slowly building a digital resource library that brings these tools together in one place. It’s meant to be a visual, one-stop companion to the ideas I share in my content—created from my lived experience, Scripture, and the wisdom of women wiser than me. This resource is optional and offered with pay-what-you-want pricing. One purchase includes lifetime access and all future updates as it continues to grow. This will be a way to offer paid support while also keeping my writing and resources free. The digital product is available here: https://sarahelizsmith.gumroad.com/l/hvfxi!

I deeply value community and shared conversation, and I also want to honor the time and care that go into creating in-depth resources. Becoming a paid writer is still part of my long-term vision, but I want to pursue it in a way that removes barriers while building something sustainable—for my family, my work, and the long-term health of this space.

Whether you read for free, subscribe, comment, or quietly follow along, I’m genuinely grateful you’re here. Thank you for being part of this community, and let this be the year that you too become the writer you’ve always wanted to be—however that looks 🫶🏼

Much love,
Sarah