u/PourOverPages

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like we all romanticised content writing a little too much.

Those early 2000s rom-coms really sold us a fantasy: a girl with a laptop, a coffee, a cute apartment, and a job where she gets to sit around writing all day. Somehow, becoming a writer looked effortless, creative and glamorous.

And then you actually become a content writer.
Suddenly it’s briefs, SEO, deadlines, revisions, keyword density, “can you make this sound more human?” and now, AI.

AI has made content faster and, in some ways, easier. But it has also made the industry feel increasingly focused on how much you can produce rather than how well you can think or write.

And there’s something weird about being a writer in a time when one of the biggest parts of your job is proving that your writing wasn’t written by AI.

I still love writing, but sometimes I wonder if the version of this career I imagined as a teenager ever really existed.

For other content writers: has AI changed the way you see your career? And do you think human writing will become more valuable because of AI, or less?

I’ve been thinking about starting a Substack lately, mostly because I enjoy writing and the idea of having a space that’s actually mine sounds pretty nice.

For people who use it, what do you genuinely like about Substack? And for readers, what makes you want to subscribe to someone’s newsletter and actually keep reading?

I randomly started Love Life because of Anna Kendrick and ended up finishing the whole show. It’s definitely slow-paced, but I really enjoyed the first season and how grounded the story felt.

It’s less of a typical rom-com and more about relationships, bad decisions, friendships, and figuring yourself out along the way.

It wasn’t perfect, but there was something oddly comforting about watching someone’s life unfold so imperfectly.

Did anyone else watch it? What did you think of the way the show wrapped up?

I just started watching One Tree Hill and I’m already invested, but then I realised there are 9 seasons 😭.

I’m wondering if it stays good throughout or if I should mentally prepare for it to fall off at some point.

For those who’ve watched it, is the whole thing worth sticking with? And which seasons are your favourites?

I’m curious about the decisions that actually had a noticeable impact, not just the usual “save more and spend less” advice. Could be investing, negotiating your salary, starting an emergency fund, saying no to a purchase, or even making a financial mistake that taught you something. What would you recommend someone in their early 20s do sooner rather than later?

I’ve recently started my career and have been wondering whether I should start investing now or spend some time getting financially settled first.

I’m completely new to investing, so I’m not really sure where to begin or what I should be prioritising at this stage. I know people often say that starting early is important because of compounding, but I also don’t want to jump into something just because everyone says I should be investing.

For people who started investing in their 20s, what did you wish you knew when you first started?

Would you suggest starting with a small amount while building an emergency fund and getting your finances in order, or waiting until your income is more stable?

Also, any beginner-friendly tips, resources or things I should absolutely avoid would be really appreciated.

I think BookTok has done a lot of good for reading and has encouraged many people to pick up books again, but I sometimes wonder if the hype goes too far.

Some books become huge on TikTok and Instagram, and when you finally read them, they can feel fairly average. The writing is often quite simple, and the themes are not always as deep or original as the “life changing” labels suggest, which can lead to inflated expectations.

Rupi Kaur is one example that comes to mind. Her work is very accessible and connects with a lot of readers, but I sometimes feel that simplicity gets mistaken for deeper literary quality.

I also wonder how many genuinely great books get overlooked because they are not as aesthetic, quotable, or easy to make viral.

Has BookTok ever made you pick up a book you felt was overhyped, or do you think I am being too harsh?