Ditch The Templates

Ditch The Templates

Share this post

Ditch The Templates
Ditch The Templates
I’m building a blog to build a life, and I’ll show you how

I’m building a blog to build a life, and I’ll show you how

I want to document and share what I’m building. Because as I’m approaching 40, something has been shifting in me.

Andi Bitay's avatar
Andi Bitay
Apr 18, 2025
∙ Paid
73

Share this post

Ditch The Templates
Ditch The Templates
I’m building a blog to build a life, and I’ll show you how
39
9
Share

Over the past few months, I’ve shared glimpses of this here and on Threads, and I was honestly blown away by how many of you resonated with it. Even more so by the stories you shared in return. That’s when I realized:

I don’t want to wait until everything is perfect to talk about what I’m doing.
I want to share the process. The messy middle.

Because sometimes, that’s far more interesting than the polished outcome.

So, what am I actually creating? And why now?

Ironically, after 15 years of working in social media, I found myself slowly stepping away from it. I still enjoy Instagram, on my own terms. But I don’t love the pace, the pressure, or the direction the culture has taken.

As a multipassionate millennial, I was lucky enough to experience the old internet:
the slower, softer, more human kind. I built my first personal brand through blogging, editing online magazines, writing essays and interviews. I loved every minute of it.

Then came social media. The scroll. The short-form. The constant pivoting.
But something always felt missing.

Substack reminded me of what I’d almost forgotten.
That feeling of writing with a heartbeat. Creating something that feels like home.

At first, I thought I was going to launch another Substack publication. I even started mapping it out.
But then I paused.
And another vision came to me I had carried for years but never fully acted on.

Is it possible to build a profitable blog based on my passions?

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Andi Bitay
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share