Day 76/100 Sh*tty Goals
Sh*tty Goals
Using Substack to build a real community (not just an email list) comes down to identity, conversation, and rhythm—especially important for an older, thoughtful audience like yours.
1. Start With a Shared Identity (Not Just a Topic)
People don’t gather around content.
They gather around who they are becoming.
Instead of:
- “A newsletter about minimalism”
- “Thoughts on starting over”
Frame it as:
- “A place for people over 60 who are rebuilding quietly.”
- “A circle for those practicing ‘living with less’—on purpose.”
- “A campfire for late-life beginners.”
Community cue:
Use “we,” “us,” and “this place” in your welcome post.
👉 Your first post should answer:
“Who is this for—and who will feel at home here?”
2. Use Comments as the Campfire 🔥
Substack’s biggest community feature is comments, but most writers underuse them.
Practical tactics:
- End every post with one simple invitation, not a list:
- “What part of this are you wrestling with?”
- “Have you lived through something like this?”
- Reply to early commenters by name (this is huge)
- Quote a reader’s comment in your next post (with permission)
This teaches readers:
“If I speak here, I’m seen.”
That’s community.
3. Create a Weekly Rhythm People Can Rely On
Consistency matters more than frequency.
A strong, gentle cadence:
- 1 main essay per week (reflection, lesson, story)
- 1 short ‘note’ or prompt mid-week
Examples of prompts:
- “What are you simplifying right now?”
- “What’s one thing you stopped chasing?”
- “What does ‘enough’ look like this month?”
Substack Notes work well for this—think of them as slow Twitter for grownups.
4. Invite Readers Into the Work
Community forms when people feel like participants, not consumers.
Ways to do this:
- Ask readers to help name a series
- Share a rough idea and ask, “Is this worth exploring?”
- Run a 7-day or 30-day shared experiment:
- “7 Days of Living With Less”
- “30 Quiet Mornings”
- “The No-Buy Month (Lite Version)”
You don’t need fancy tools—just shared intention.
5. Use Paid Subscriptions as Belonging, Not a Paywall
Paid works best when framed as supporting the space, not buying content.
Good language:
- “Paid subscribers help keep this space calm and ad-free.”
- “This is how we keep the lights on.”
- “You’re joining the inner circle.”
Paid perks that build community:
- Occasional subscriber-only posts
- A monthly open thread just for them
- Early access to essays or ebooks
Even a small paid group creates gravity.
6. Write Like a Host, Not a Broadcaster
Community tone matters—especially for seniors.
Aim for:
- Calm
- Plainspoken
- Non-preachy
- Reflective, not performative
Think:
“Pull up a chair”
not
“Listen to my insights”
Your Phoenix72 voice already fits this perfectly.
7. Let the Community Shape the Future
Once people feel at home, ask:
- “What should we talk about next?”
- “What are you struggling with quietly?”
- “What would help you right now?”
This turns Substack into:
- Future blog posts
- Ebook material
- Course ideas
- Group challenges
- Even local meetups someday
Community becomes your editorial compass.
A Simple Starter Plan (No Overwhelm)
Week 1
- Write a Welcome / Why This Exists post
- Invite 1 clear type of reader
Week 2
- Publish one thoughtful essay
- Ask one genuine question at the end
Week 3
- Respond deeply to comments
- Post a short Note prompt
Week 4
- Invite readers into a small shared experiment
That’s enough to begin.
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About This Substack
Phoenix72
This Substack is for people who are starting over later than planned—and doing it anyway.
Phoenix72 is about rebuilding life with fewer illusions, fewer possessions, and fewer wasted motions. It’s written for adults who have already lived a full first act and now find themselves clearing ground for something quieter, sturdier, and more honest.
I write for people who are:
- Living alone (by choice or by circumstance)
- Simplifying after loss, illness, burnout, or retirement
- Practicing minimalism, restraint, or intentional living
- Rebuilding health, habits, and purpose after 60
- Curious about discipline without dogma
This is not hustle culture.
It’s not toxic positivity.
And it’s not nostalgia for a past that isn’t coming back.
What “Phoenix72” Means
The phoenix is the old symbol of starting again—not by pretending nothing burned, but by using what survived.
72 is not a brand trick. It’s a reminder: late-life restarts are not theoretical. They are happening now.
Phoenix72 is about beginning again with eyes open.
What You’ll Find Here
Short, plainspoken pieces on things like:
- Living with less (and why that’s harder than it sounds)
- Discipline, routines, and “new rituals” that actually stick
- Health, balance, blood sugar, and aging without panic
- Practicing poverty as a training ground, not a lifestyle stunt
- Solitude as a strength—not a failure
- Rebooting identity after the roles fall away
Some posts are practical.
Some are reflective.
All are written to be read slowly, without hype.
What You Won’t Find
- No gurus
- No biohacking theatrics
- No shouting at the internet
- No “10x your life” nonsense
If something here sounds firm, it’s because clarity often is.
Who’s Writing This
I’m in my seventies.
I live simply.
I’ve had to start over more than once.
I write as someone still in the process—not someone who “figured it all out.”
This Substack is part notebook, part field report, part quiet companion for people walking the same stretch of road.
Why Subscribe
Subscribe if you want:
- Fewer words, better chosen
- Encouragement without cheerleading
- A steady voice instead of constant novelty
- Reminders that rebuilding late is not failure—it’s courage
You don’t need to agree with everything here.
You just need to be willing to clear some ground.
Welcome to Phoenix72.
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Yes, Uber allows cats in the car, especially with the Uber Pet option for one small pet (dog or cat) for an extra fee, but for regular rides, it depends on the driver’s discretion, requiring you to message them first to confirm they’re comfortable with pets, ideally using a carrier/towel for cleanliness. Always use the “Uber Pet” option when available for the best experience, or clearly communicate your cat’s needs (carrier, towel) to the driver in advance. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Using Uber Pet (Recommended)
- Select Uber Pet: Look for the “Uber Pet” option in the app, which costs slightly more but guarantees a pet-friendly ride.
- Carrier & Blanket: Keep your cat in a secure carrier and bring a towel or blanket to cover the seat, reducing mess and potential fees.
- Driver Info: Drivers can see you’re using Uber Pet and can opt-out, but it’s best practice to confirm. [2, 3, 5, 6, 7]
For Regular Uber (UberX, etc.)
- Message Driver: Before the car arrives, message the driver via the app to ask if they’re okay with a cat in a carrier.
- Be Prepared: Have your cat in a carrier and bring a towel/blanket to protect the seat, as drivers can still cancel if they weren’t expecting a pet.
- Driver’s Choice: The driver has the final say for non-Uber Pet rides, so be polite and respectful of their decision. [4, 8, 9]
Key Tips
- Service Animals: Legally required to be allowed, but for pets, it’s up to the driver.
- Cleanliness: A carrier and blanket are crucial to avoid cleaning fees.
- Communication: Always communicate with your driver beforehand for a smooth trip. [2, 3, 4, 8, 9]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[3] https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/rider-uber-pet/
[6] https://www.uber.com/en-IN/blog/introducing-uber-pet-a-ride-for-all-paws/
[7] https://www.facebook.com/groups/397165520651572/posts/2324896867878418/
[8] https://www.justanswer.com/computer/q1uit-does-uber-allow-pets-car-does-uber-allow-pets.html
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