I started From Argyle Street just under a year ago.
One significant reason for doing so was to try and generate some additional income through writing.
I’ve had so much fun with this project, thinking through content strategies and how to gain subscribers. Experimenting with new article types and styles.
There’s been a lot to learn and there still is.
Yet, I’ve reached the place where I’m making one significant decision—I’m pausing payments on From Argyle Street indefinitely. This is why.
To Slow Down
I’ve tried to shape my experience of writing around two values—patience and fun. I want to temper my expectations with patience and have fun with the process.
Those two things have held true in my experience.
Yet, I’m feeling the need to slow down. Dallas Willard once said that hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. I feel like I’ve been living in a constant state of hurry, and haven’t been sure how to slow down.
I believe this step is the best way forward.
Largely because payments add a certain pressure. A pressure to deliver a certain amount and quality of writing at a certain pace, which I think is good for anything that is monetized. Yet, I’m looking to reduce pressure in my life.
I’ll own that a lot of that pressure may be self-induced. But I know one easy way to eliminate it, and the hurry that accompanies it, is by taking this step.
To Practice Contentment
I was reading this opening line of Psalm 23 the other day and was struck by something.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
-Psalm 23:1
I read that line and realized that I want constantly.
Lately, I’ve been wanting more time, more energy, more money—just more. Of everything.
Which means something is out of alignment, because I know I have plenty. I know that my family is provided for. I know that I have no need to want. And I know that wanting only takes away from my life; it doesn’t add.
In some ways, monetization has led me to think constantly about growth. The problem-solving and ideation process is fun, but it also always keeps me looking for ways to attain more.
I want to take steps to think less about more in my life and to instead practice contentment.
This is one way to do so.
What’s Next?
The main things will stay the same. I’m still planning to write these kinds of posts.
Cocktail Articles - recommending a drink to pair with a novel.
Novel Articles - breaking down a novel and interacting with it theologically.
Literary Theology Articles - exploring a literary theology of the sea.
So, not much will change. It’s more that my pace will slow down, likely dropping from weekly to maybe bi-weekly articles.
I want to thank so many of you for supporting this project. I’ve appreciated it so much and I hope you enjoy what’s being created here.
Until next time,
Trevor
P.s. Many of you know that I work as a pastor. I once delivered a message on struggles surrounding wealth. In it, I delved into a few stories that revealed my own strayed thinking around the subject (If you’re curious, I’ve linked it here).