Dear Unsubscriber

I can’t help but get a little upset when I get notified that someone unsubscribed from my email list.

It feels like a minor personal attack on me in the moment, but then I quickly move on with my life.

I get it. My content isn’t right for you, and/or you’re not interested in me/my journey. You’re entitled to your opinion.

Honestly, you’re actually doing me a favor because I only want fans who are passionate about what I’m doing to follow me. Best of luck to you, unsubscriber, but I’m going to keep inspiring my community.

I’m reminded of the awesome quote from legendary music producer Rick Rubin, “The best art divides the audience.” In other words, some people will love your work, others will hate it, and everyone else is somewhere in between. You can’t appeal to everyone, so just accept it and keep doing your thing.

I think unsubscribing is actually a good habit to practice. If something or someone isn’t bringing you value, then why are you giving them your attention? You should only be giving time to the things you love.

In fact, it’s probably a good idea to audit your email inbox and social media feeds. I bet you there’s a lot of stuff you follow that you don’t really care that much for. Try doing a clean out, and I guarantee it will have a positive effect on you and decrease your feeling of content overwhelm.

For the people, publications or companies you do pay attention to, don’t forget to show them some love from time to time. Social media likes are good, but why not leave a thoughtful comment or some encouraging words? Everyone is seeking validation, and it’s this kind of positivity that is going to continue to motivate and inspire them to do their best for you.

I hope you continue to get value from my writing and follow me on my journey. I want the best for you, and I hope we can accomplish our goals and dreams together. Thank you for your time and attention.

Originally published at www.thelifeofriley.co on August 23, 2018.