I love how you’ve let this space become something real for you. The honesty, the connection, the way you show up here, I feel it, and it gives me courage to do the same. Excited for everything that comes next.
I agree, this is the only happy space online. I too sought it out for my memoir project, it has now become the "ME PROJECT". I just do it for me, and because I live the community here. It's a slow grow kinda place, and that is perfectly fine for me. So glad I found you here as well. 🌿
I so resonate with this! I turned out because I had things to say that we’re too short to fit into Instagram and I have hundreds of essays on my Notes pouring through me and just waiting to be polished. Thank you for sharing wishing you every success.
I absolutely love this and appreciate you more than I can say. I cried reading it. This hit so close to home because I’ve never felt able to be fully honest about who I am, what I’ve done, or where I’ve been because of my addiction. I learned to fragment myself and speak in omissions—not to deceive or manipulate, but to avoid making others uncomfortable. Not everyone knows what to do with that level of honesty, and my willingness to share has often been met with discomfort or distance.
I love being given glimpses into your reality, and into the realities of others. It feels sacred to witness. For the first time, you’ve given me permission not just to be honest, but to be fully transparent about my experience, to stop cushioning the truth for the comfort of others. And what’s come from that has been overwhelmingly positive.
My mom has shared screenshots of my writing (she’s shared a few), including messages from her friends and coworkers telling her how proud she must be of me, and how my words were passed along to people who are struggling in the same ways I have. I cried. I haven’t given her many moments to brag about, and for a long time I wondered if she worried about celebrating my brother’s achievements fearing my absence might grow louder, if she hesitated because maybe my failures filled the silence around his accolades. To see her pride reflected back to me meant more than I can explain.
So thank you for sharing this and sharing pieces of you because you’ve given me permission to do the same. Sorry for long winded comment. Much love ❤️
It feels like you have been here forever. So much is packed into these sharings. They have helped me process my own “undoings” and for that I’m thankful. Your writing is steady and beautifully crafted. Thank you for being here.
Please know, responding takes time but it is not work at all, it is pleasure. I am so grateful for the connections so have found here. Hands down, it is what keeps me going. Thank you for this and for being here!
Happy Substackiversary! Reading this gives me hope that one day I will be able to experience the joy of connection here just like you have...Just like you I also want to respond to everyone that take the time to comment on something that I have written...I am a strong believer that things happen for a reason & I believe that finding you on Substack happened for a reason...I am learning little by little the reason why...Thank you for being here...Happy Substackiversary!
Thank you so much for this, and yes, it has been wonderful. Connecting on here. I know it's a cliché, but this has been such a strange and lovely corner of the Internet. I have never been one for social media, and the depth of connection on here has been absolutely surprising to me.In the best possible way.
Oh my goodness, this moved me more than I can say. I am sitting here feeling quietly grateful for you and for the strange, beautiful way this place makes strangers feel like neighbours.
I just want to say thank you.
For your honesty.
For the way you write straight from the centre of things.
For how you show up with courage, insight, and a kind of steadiness that makes it feel safe to meet you on the page.
You have created a space that feels real in a way the internet rarely does. A place where people recognise themselves. A place where the mask can slip a little and saying the true thing feels possible. Being part of that, even in the small everyday ways, has meant a great deal to me.
I am grateful for your writing, of course, but also for you, the person behind the words, who somehow makes this space feel both intimate and spacious at once. I am glad you stayed. I am glad you let yourself be seen. And I am grateful, truly, for the connection that has grown between us.
Here is to the next six months, and to all the unexpected, undramatic, deeply human magic that happens when someone decides to tell the truth out loud.
I don't know what to say to these beautiful words. Other than what I know you already know, that I have so much gratitude for our friendship that came from this place. I have no plans to leave substack, but even if I did, you are now one of the people that is simply stuck with me from here on out. Getting to know you, getting to "peek under the hood" is what has made this place feel more like a home than anything else.
I am sure you know this, our stories heal others, we need to share them
That is definitely my hope.
I’ve been healed by many other stories
Me too:)
I love how you’ve let this space become something real for you. The honesty, the connection, the way you show up here, I feel it, and it gives me courage to do the same. Excited for everything that comes next.
This place has been a gift. I know it comes with its downsides, but it's got a lot of upside. We
Happy Substackiversary!
Thank you. What a ride it has been.
So glad to meet you, from a fellow therapist as well! Yes, our stories matter!
So nice to meet you! I've loved connecting to other clinicians on here!
I agree, this is the only happy space online. I too sought it out for my memoir project, it has now become the "ME PROJECT". I just do it for me, and because I live the community here. It's a slow grow kinda place, and that is perfectly fine for me. So glad I found you here as well. 🌿
I agree, I've avoided all social media except this, and I'm hooked!
I so resonate with this! I turned out because I had things to say that we’re too short to fit into Instagram and I have hundreds of essays on my Notes pouring through me and just waiting to be polished. Thank you for sharing wishing you every success.
I love hearing this! Looking forward to reading more:)
I am so glad that you are here!
That feeling is very mutual, thank you.
🥳🥳🥳
Thank you:)
I absolutely love this and appreciate you more than I can say. I cried reading it. This hit so close to home because I’ve never felt able to be fully honest about who I am, what I’ve done, or where I’ve been because of my addiction. I learned to fragment myself and speak in omissions—not to deceive or manipulate, but to avoid making others uncomfortable. Not everyone knows what to do with that level of honesty, and my willingness to share has often been met with discomfort or distance.
I love being given glimpses into your reality, and into the realities of others. It feels sacred to witness. For the first time, you’ve given me permission not just to be honest, but to be fully transparent about my experience, to stop cushioning the truth for the comfort of others. And what’s come from that has been overwhelmingly positive.
My mom has shared screenshots of my writing (she’s shared a few), including messages from her friends and coworkers telling her how proud she must be of me, and how my words were passed along to people who are struggling in the same ways I have. I cried. I haven’t given her many moments to brag about, and for a long time I wondered if she worried about celebrating my brother’s achievements fearing my absence might grow louder, if she hesitated because maybe my failures filled the silence around his accolades. To see her pride reflected back to me meant more than I can explain.
So thank you for sharing this and sharing pieces of you because you’ve given me permission to do the same. Sorry for long winded comment. Much love ❤️
It feels like you have been here forever. So much is packed into these sharings. They have helped me process my own “undoings” and for that I’m thankful. Your writing is steady and beautifully crafted. Thank you for being here.
Thank you for this, it means so much to me
I love your tone. It's like sitting by a gentle stream on a warm spring day. And I really appreciate this story of unfoldment.
Thank you this, it feels like a sweet and unexpected gift.
You’re very welcome. Happy to share. Grateful to receive what you share. Keen insight and caring humility are a beautiful combination.
Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on your success!☺️
Thank so much, it has been great sharing this space with you.
“I respond to every comment I receive. Every single one. Sometimes that feels like too much.”
I wish there were a way to show my appreciation without adding even a little more to your workload. 😊
Just know that what you write truly matters, and we’re all grateful you’re here — today and for many more ‘Substackiversaries’ to come.
Please know, responding takes time but it is not work at all, it is pleasure. I am so grateful for the connections so have found here. Hands down, it is what keeps me going. Thank you for this and for being here!
🫶🏼proud of you and your truth telling!
I'm so happy to be on the road with you.
Happy Substackiversary! Reading this gives me hope that one day I will be able to experience the joy of connection here just like you have...Just like you I also want to respond to everyone that take the time to comment on something that I have written...I am a strong believer that things happen for a reason & I believe that finding you on Substack happened for a reason...I am learning little by little the reason why...Thank you for being here...Happy Substackiversary!
Thank you so much for this, and yes, it has been wonderful. Connecting on here. I know it's a cliché, but this has been such a strange and lovely corner of the Internet. I have never been one for social media, and the depth of connection on here has been absolutely surprising to me.In the best possible way.
Oh my goodness, this moved me more than I can say. I am sitting here feeling quietly grateful for you and for the strange, beautiful way this place makes strangers feel like neighbours.
I just want to say thank you.
For your honesty.
For the way you write straight from the centre of things.
For how you show up with courage, insight, and a kind of steadiness that makes it feel safe to meet you on the page.
You have created a space that feels real in a way the internet rarely does. A place where people recognise themselves. A place where the mask can slip a little and saying the true thing feels possible. Being part of that, even in the small everyday ways, has meant a great deal to me.
I am grateful for your writing, of course, but also for you, the person behind the words, who somehow makes this space feel both intimate and spacious at once. I am glad you stayed. I am glad you let yourself be seen. And I am grateful, truly, for the connection that has grown between us.
Here is to the next six months, and to all the unexpected, undramatic, deeply human magic that happens when someone decides to tell the truth out loud.
I don't know what to say to these beautiful words. Other than what I know you already know, that I have so much gratitude for our friendship that came from this place. I have no plans to leave substack, but even if I did, you are now one of the people that is simply stuck with me from here on out. Getting to know you, getting to "peek under the hood" is what has made this place feel more like a home than anything else.
We are both grateful.