This. This is exactly why spaces like this exist. ❤️ The way you lay it out the small awakenings, the losses, the reclaiming of your own voice it’s a map for anyone who’s been trying to find their words again. Thank you for showing us that surviving is only the start, and that connection can feel like coming home after a long exile.
Awww thank you. I’m so grateful for everyone who has ever shared something that lit a spark in me including you. This space is pure magic. We help each other come back to life. ✨
I had a very similar experience through the years. I’m a super sensitive empathic person and I knew right away that social media was just bad for me and not worth my time. I joined Facebook when you could only sign up with a .edu email address, and even then I was the last of all my friends to join. Once the whole world joined, I quit. Got into too many petty family arguments.
After that I just never joined another platform. My friends are always like, didn’t you see me Instagram story? I’m like, no. If you want me to see a picture of your vacation, you have my phone number. 😆
I’m starting to get a little bit of like anxiety comparing myself to other stackers, so I’m having to be really conscious of what I consume on here. But for the most part, yeah, I love the community here and it definitely lit something in me that I thought was long dead and gone.
Thank you Motherhood. You’re definitely on my list of real genuine people I’ve connected with here. There’s something sacred about everyone sharing their stories and thoughts and it makes this space feel less judgmental. I’m so here for that. I’ve always been a really genuine person and honestly it’s gotten me into trouble more than once. Sometimes I keep it too real but here I feel like I can actually be myself.
I’m having a similar experience on Substack too! I’ve never shared myself so freely— sometimes I wonder if it’s because not many people I know IRL are on it yet?! I think I’m more self conscious when people I know are judging me (or I imagine they are). Is that similar for you too?
Ok Dr. Shannon I will absolutely lay on your couch for a sec. 😂 I’ve realized my inner critic sounds a lot like my mom. I know… cliche! 🙄She’s super judgmental but totally in denial about it so you end up gaslit into thinking she’s chill when really she’s a silent sniper of opinions. Now I just assume everyone’s secretly like that and I turn on myself. There you go, thousands of dollars in therapy, summarized. But yes it’s so freeing that no one I know IRL is really on here yet. Actually, I take that back I’m up to 3 humans who actually know me on here… you know to keep me honest! For the most part it feels like emotional witness protection, but the best part has been the supportive wonderful people on here like you. It has restored some faith in humanity. ❤️
Amazing that you’ve identified this pattern so clearly!! That’s really the hard part. Let’s keep sharing ourselves, even with our IRL friends coming on more and more!!!
Thank you Shannon. I really appreciate that. Recognizing the pattern feels like progress but embodying a new one still takes everything in me some days. Grateful we get to practice in a space like this. It really has restored something in me. ❤️
I understood this feeling well. And when you said, "outgrown", that hit hard. I've never thought of it that way. I thought I just want to detach myself from things that doesn't make me feel 100. As it turns out, I've outgrown these people. Thank you for sharing.
I felt the same way for a long time. I thought I was detaching, but really I was just outgrowing people who couldn’t meet me where I was healing. It’s such a quiet kind of growth. Thank you for saying this so beautifully. 💋
Substack is probably one of the safest social networks for mental health. You write what you want. You have no censorship. You reach the right people. And on top of that - you can allow yourself to be yourself in every possible way.
I tried it here not knowing anything about Substack except it was a writing platform. I don't use social media and was hesitant, but writing is therapy and I really was going through a huge crisis, so I needed to write. I gave way to hesitancy and just decided to write. I have found the community here to be supportive like no other. Everything I hate about social media wasn't here and the support I needed is. I am so grateful to have this platform and everyone that has come with it. I learn more everyday, about myself, other people going through similar as well as completely different struggles, and just some random ass cool stuff, people seem to show up authentically, and that is refreshing. Once again, as usual, I truly enjoyed your post. Thank you💚
I feel this so much. Substack really is its own kind of community. It’s been healing for me too to see people show up authentically. Thank you for reading and supporting my posts. Grateful to be part of the same space with you.
Yes, exactly. Finding our voices again after shutting down for so long is both terrifying and liberating. Here’s to choosing authenticity, even when it shakes us.
Reading this feels like watching someone break out of heavy clouds into clear air. I think a lot of us came here hoping for something quieter and more real, and you put words to that better than I could. Thanks for letting us in.
This. This is exactly why spaces like this exist. ❤️ The way you lay it out the small awakenings, the losses, the reclaiming of your own voice it’s a map for anyone who’s been trying to find their words again. Thank you for showing us that surviving is only the start, and that connection can feel like coming home after a long exile.
Awww thank you. I’m so grateful for everyone who has ever shared something that lit a spark in me including you. This space is pure magic. We help each other come back to life. ✨
HH, I love you more the more I learn about you!
I had a very similar experience through the years. I’m a super sensitive empathic person and I knew right away that social media was just bad for me and not worth my time. I joined Facebook when you could only sign up with a .edu email address, and even then I was the last of all my friends to join. Once the whole world joined, I quit. Got into too many petty family arguments.
After that I just never joined another platform. My friends are always like, didn’t you see me Instagram story? I’m like, no. If you want me to see a picture of your vacation, you have my phone number. 😆
I’m starting to get a little bit of like anxiety comparing myself to other stackers, so I’m having to be really conscious of what I consume on here. But for the most part, yeah, I love the community here and it definitely lit something in me that I thought was long dead and gone.
Thank you Motherhood. You’re definitely on my list of real genuine people I’ve connected with here. There’s something sacred about everyone sharing their stories and thoughts and it makes this space feel less judgmental. I’m so here for that. I’ve always been a really genuine person and honestly it’s gotten me into trouble more than once. Sometimes I keep it too real but here I feel like I can actually be myself.
I’m so honored to be on that list HH 🥰
I’m having a similar experience on Substack too! I’ve never shared myself so freely— sometimes I wonder if it’s because not many people I know IRL are on it yet?! I think I’m more self conscious when people I know are judging me (or I imagine they are). Is that similar for you too?
Ok Dr. Shannon I will absolutely lay on your couch for a sec. 😂 I’ve realized my inner critic sounds a lot like my mom. I know… cliche! 🙄She’s super judgmental but totally in denial about it so you end up gaslit into thinking she’s chill when really she’s a silent sniper of opinions. Now I just assume everyone’s secretly like that and I turn on myself. There you go, thousands of dollars in therapy, summarized. But yes it’s so freeing that no one I know IRL is really on here yet. Actually, I take that back I’m up to 3 humans who actually know me on here… you know to keep me honest! For the most part it feels like emotional witness protection, but the best part has been the supportive wonderful people on here like you. It has restored some faith in humanity. ❤️
Amazing that you’ve identified this pattern so clearly!! That’s really the hard part. Let’s keep sharing ourselves, even with our IRL friends coming on more and more!!!
Thank you Shannon. I really appreciate that. Recognizing the pattern feels like progress but embodying a new one still takes everything in me some days. Grateful we get to practice in a space like this. It really has restored something in me. ❤️
Me too!!
I understood this feeling well. And when you said, "outgrown", that hit hard. I've never thought of it that way. I thought I just want to detach myself from things that doesn't make me feel 100. As it turns out, I've outgrown these people. Thank you for sharing.
I felt the same way for a long time. I thought I was detaching, but really I was just outgrowing people who couldn’t meet me where I was healing. It’s such a quiet kind of growth. Thank you for saying this so beautifully. 💋
Substack is probably one of the safest social networks for mental health. You write what you want. You have no censorship. You reach the right people. And on top of that - you can allow yourself to be yourself in every possible way.
Exactly this. The freedom to be yourself without all the noise is what makes Substack so healing.❤️🩹
I tried it here not knowing anything about Substack except it was a writing platform. I don't use social media and was hesitant, but writing is therapy and I really was going through a huge crisis, so I needed to write. I gave way to hesitancy and just decided to write. I have found the community here to be supportive like no other. Everything I hate about social media wasn't here and the support I needed is. I am so grateful to have this platform and everyone that has come with it. I learn more everyday, about myself, other people going through similar as well as completely different struggles, and just some random ass cool stuff, people seem to show up authentically, and that is refreshing. Once again, as usual, I truly enjoyed your post. Thank you💚
I feel this so much. Substack really is its own kind of community. It’s been healing for me too to see people show up authentically. Thank you for reading and supporting my posts. Grateful to be part of the same space with you.
Once you’re on the Stack, you can never go back 🫶
LOL facts. The Stack is sacred. If you know, you know.
Awesome I am so happy for you. Look at my video if you can. Tell me what a story you can think of.
“I had shut down. I had shut up.” -ooof! That sounds familiar!! Here is to finding our lost voices and tapping into our most authentic selves. 💕
Yes, exactly. Finding our voices again after shutting down for so long is both terrifying and liberating. Here’s to choosing authenticity, even when it shakes us.
Reading this feels like watching someone break out of heavy clouds into clear air. I think a lot of us came here hoping for something quieter and more real, and you put words to that better than I could. Thanks for letting us in.
😍❤️🔥🫂
❤️❤️❤️❤️