bunch of shenanigans

But then one day you wake up and realize while you’ll always be healing in some way, you’re a better person today and you are so very proud. You’re lighter than you’ve ever been. You’re laughing oh so much, and the divine feels like it’s working for you not against you.

That’s where I am today, and if you’re somewhere in the middle, keep going. What’s on the other side is incredibly gorgeous.

There are so many seasons of healing: the one where you go through life making mistakes & realizing they have consequences for you and others & you know something HAS to change, the one where you start unearthing all of the ways you’re living unconsciously, subconsciously & it’s time to become aware of them through therapy and other modalities, the one where you’re doing the deep sad and hard inner work in order stop yourself in the tracks when you’re continuing those old icky patterns that don’t feel good anymore, and it takes time, years and years and years and it’s often discouraging. You think “will i ever really change or heal?”.

But then one day you wake up and realize while you’ll always be healing in some way, you’re a better person today and you are so very proud. You’re lighter than you’ve ever been. You’re laughing oh so much, and the divine feels like it’s working for you not against you.

That’s obviously a nuanced question.

Of course we don’t know all of someone through their writing. Humans are layered, contradictory, evolving, and sometimes mildly secretive.

That being said, I do believe that your Substack, where many of us unearth our deepest thoughts, should feel as authentically you as possible.

That includes things like your Substack name/persona, logo, color palette, fonts, banner, profile photo, maybe even a visual symbol or icon you subtly weave throughout your posts.

For example: Overthinking Out Loud = talking, processing, spiraling (lovingly 😅). So I chose a vintage-style woman’s mouth as a recurring visual cue. It feels aligned with the brand and instantly recognizable..

When your Substack actually looks and feels aligned with who you are, something shifts. You take it more seriously. Other people do too. It builds momentum. Confidence. A sense of, okay… I’m really doing this.

Want the full brand vibe? I created a Substack Branding Kit through Etsy for those who want the whole package. Like a cute lil’ brand style guide you can refer to

And for context: this isn’t random advice 😅 I’ve spent years building brands and messaging for companies across the U.S., and one thing I know for sure is this:

People connect when something feels clear, cohesive, and genuine.

Your Substack should embody you — and that is what I want to help with.

For those who already have a brand they LOVE: have you noticed a shift in your following, subscriptions, or engagement since branding your own Substack?

Today, I’m full of emotions. Full of tears I haven’t permitted to let out. Stuck inside of me.

Lately, I’ve encountered more online bullies than I can hold space for. They say when you start to get popular, unwarranted criticism is a good sign. You’re being noticed. That you should make room for the trolls. The bullies. The miserable people.

But I don’t accept that part. I have no space for it. I don’t accept those who want to bring me down. I refuse to believe cruelty is the price of being seen.

I felt like crying.

Read the full poem here.