0-16k subscribers in a year. How I grew my newsletter April 2020,I created my first email. A yr later my email list crossed 16,000 No ads. No $$ spent till date. No existing users. My newsletter grew because I learnt how to distribute my content around the internet A thread👇🏻

We’re living through one of the few times in history where your laptop can compete with a boardroom. That still blows my mind.

Most people think their assumptions come from their experiences. The truth is backwards- To grow your newsletter, it’s actually the other way around. Your assumptions shape your experiences here- the content you publish, the way you promote it, and the opportunities you even notice. Change the assumptions, Change the growth.

Unpopular opinion: Discipline is emotional, not logical. People fail habits not because they lack willpower but because they haven’t connected the habit to anl feeling that feels rewarding. Dopamine isn’t released when you finish “work”; it’s released when you find meaning. Link discipline to desire, not duty.

A very underrated adulthood hack? Enjoying the taste of water. Not coconut water, not sparkling water, not fancy lemon chia basil water, Just regular filtered water! It’s when hydration stops being ”something to do” via a Stanley cup and starts feeling like luxury.

I heard this video the other day and it made so much sense. Success doesn’t really come from these random bursts of inspiration. And yet, that’s what most of us do right? We wait for a Monday, or a new month, or the new year to “start fresh.” Atleast I do & am guilty of that. But honestly? That almost never works for me! What does work is just showing up every single day in small ways. It’s not dramatic, it’s def not glamorous, but the momentum that builds from that is everything.

Today is Kanjak 🌸 It’s one of my favorite parts of Navratri because you cook and serve food to nine little girls and one boy, and honestly it’s just such a sweet tradition. The idea is to honor the innocence of kids, but what it really feels like is this mix of festivity, gratitude, and community all rolled into one. These are the small rituals that make Indian festivals feel so special. It’s not about anything fancy- it’s just the act of feeding, sharing, and being together. Happy Kanjak to anyone celebrating 🙏✨

I have 9,000 followers here 19,000 on Instagram 10,000 on LinkedIn 125,000 on Substack and the truth is that despite those numbers (which I’m extremely grateful for btw) there is nothing I’d rather do than continue to build. It’s actually just not even about the numbers for me- I think if it was I wouldn’t even have this community on any platform? It’s the connection and the direct line with my audience. It’s like I’m talking on a WhatsApp group chat, every single day, where I just get to show up and share my ideas and insights, and people take the time out of their busy day to read my words? What else do you want?! Success begins as soon as you share your work and press “publish”, period. 💯

When I launched a paid publication last year, it felt like a leap. I’d been writing for free for four years, built a 100,000+ subscriber base organically, and honestly- I never cared about the money. I just loved writing. I loved taking dense stories and breaking them down simply. That was enough. But switching on paid changed everything. Not my motivation- I was just as driven on day one as I am now- but the feeling. There’s something different about knowing someone not only enjoys your work, but values it enough to enter their card details digit by digit. That small act carries SO much weight. For me, it’s not about chasing numbers. It’s about realizing that when people invest in you, they’re investing in the trust you’ve built, the consistency you’ve shown, and the community you’ve created. And that support- it really does hit different.

Free writing built my community. Paid writing changed my perspective. Being read is special. Being supported is different.

When I first started Touristy, I thought hitting 10K subscribers was wild. Then I started meeting people casually scaling to 100K, 500K, even a million. My mindset shifted overnight. That’s when it clicked: I wasn’t dreaming too big, I was dreaming too small. The fastest way to expand your own ceiling? Spend time with people already living at the level you once thought was out of reach. Proximity is power- and it DOES change everything. Believed in it enough to scale my newsletter to +100,000 readers. The mindset works 💯

Starbucks reports SIX straight quarters of sales decline. Hate to say it but I mean people cutting down their spending on overpriced non-essential goods in an inflationary market with a customer base who are having to downsize is actually a cause for concern.. Who could've guessed??? 🤔 Personally, NOT surprised that people are ditching their coffee when its WAY, wayyyy cheaper to do it at home Like $10 bucks for a basic almond milk Cappuccino?! Stay strong millennials 🙏🏻

Went to New York’s first “Social Wellness Club” earlier this week. Think of your very own high-frequency version of the Batcave- a dark lit sanctuary with guided ice plunges, private sauna suites, meditation pods, red light therapy, hot + cold water rotations and adaptogenic cocktails. Got a glimpse into the future of wellness & just how crazy the obsession is- and why people are willing to pay top dollar to freeze their ass off!🤯 Read my honest review in this week’s issue 👇🏻💧🧊 touristy.substack.com/p/two-…

The things meant for you will feel nourishing, not draining. If a relationship, job, or friendship leaves you empty every time- you already have your answer. Peace is the compass. Protect it.

Isn’t it the best feeling when someone who’s not your mom, cousin, or best friend actually subscribes and pays for your newsletter? I still remember my very first paying subscriber last year. Like, wait.. a stranger thinks what I’m doing is worth money? Nothing beats that rush.

It’s crazy how many people I’m seeing from X on Substack. Has everyone moved?? I’m seeing the exact same posts on Substack repurposed from X and LinkedIn. Guess I’m a little late to the party but better late than never right ?

Just heard Taylor Swift go on a podcast with her boyfriend & she said a few things that hit a note: “Your energy should be treated like an expensive luxury item. Not everyone can afford it” “Something can be about me…and it can still be none of my business.” How true is this? People can be running a hundred thousand different directions in a day, but that doesn’t mean you have to pick up their chaos. If the biggest celebrity (literally!!!) in the world- someone who has a headline written about her every millisecond can tune out other people’s chaos and protect her own, so can you. No excuses.

I launched my paid publication after spending the past two years traveling- from exotic destinations to luxury hotels - collecting experiences that felt worth sharing. Whether it was food, fashion, culture, or just the setting itself, I realized I had a perspective people valued. As my free newsletter grew past 100,000 subscribers, so did my paid list. Not because it’s easy- monthly publications are tough, and retention is always a challenge but because I kept showing up with credibility and consistency. What I’ve learned is this: there’s nothing more powerful than earning money doing something you love while genuinely adding value to people’s lives. At its core, money is just energy. When your focus is on giving, on creating something that matters, the exchange flows naturally.

Act as if you are already in your season of favor.

The person who stays consistent even when nothing needs to be working will see everything aligned. Your work is not determined by the right season but by the right mindset. Just make up your mind.