Substack Gave Me More Than a Platform- It Gave Me Back My Life
From The Heart 💗
I didn’t come to Substack with a plan.
Honestly… I didn’t even know what the hell it was.
Late July 2024, I was watching some random YouTube video - one of those moments where something just hits. The creator mentioned Substack, and I thought… what’s that? I’d never been deep into social media.
Facebook? Barely. I hated the division. The only reason I was on there was for a few programs I’d bought that had support groups.
At that point, I’d done maybe 20 YouTube videos, all based on my experience - my work in holistic health, my years as a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist.
So I thought, what the heck… I’ll check it out.
And I did…
And what I found? It wasn’t what I expected.
I found people. Real ones. Honest ones. Messy, beautiful, wise, raw.
Yeah, there’s still division - that’s the world we live in - but this place? It felt different. I stayed away from that drama and just started writing.
Writing, y’all.
Something I hadn’t really done. I mean, sure… a few poems when I was a kid. Nothing serious. Never considered myself a writer.
I had a loud imagination, yes - and a hell of a lot to say - but I didn’t think I had skills.
That changed.
After a couple hurricanes, and some heavy medical stuff with my family, something shifted. It was around September. I got consistent. I started taking Notes seriously, started publishing regularly.
Found a creator I vibed with and asked them to mentor me - someone to help me figure this whole Substack thing out, because honestly, I had no clue how to “find a niche” or build anything.
But slowly… I started to.
I met people I now call friends. Not just readers, not followers. Friends!
And then… the growth started happening.
Not in my numbers.
In me.
It’s hard to explain, but the kind of growth that’s happened inside me since then?
It’s holy!
It’s sacred!
And it’s got me crying as I write this because it’s not just about words…
It’s about healing.
It’s about reclaiming myself - my voice, my life, my joy!
Even when we lost power after more hurricanes? I still wrote. On my damn phone if I had to. I showed up.
And somehow… people saw me. They believed in me. They subscribed. They paid me.
They told me I was helping them - with what I know, with what I’ve lived, with who I am.
And then March came.
And my nephew… 41 years old. Took his own life.
Gunshot to the head.
Normally… something like that would’ve wrecked me. Flattened me.
But it didn’t.
Instead, I sat down… and I wrote and wrote…
Through the tears, through the heartbreak, I created a 5-day grief companion challenge - not just for others, but for me. It helped me walk through the grief instead of being swallowed by it.
And what I learned through that process? You can write your way back to life. You really can.
That same month marked the anniversary of my brother’s death.
Year one? I had a full-blown breakdown. Out on disability for six months. Thought I was done. That I’d never work again.
I’ve still got scars and limits from that - and that’s okay. I’ve made peace with it.
But this year… something shifted.
That pain came up again - FULL FORCE - but instead of crumbling?
I wrote. I connected. I grew.
And I know without a doubt… it was because of this community.
Now let me tell you about the people.
- my rock. Truly. I don’t even know how to describe the closeness I feel with her. It’s deep. She’s irreplaceable. She’s held space for me in ways I didn’t know I needed.And
- we haven’t known each other quite as long, and our friendship’s still blooming… but her energy? It’s calm, wise, grounded. I love her perspective on life, business, all of it. I’m starting to work with her one-on-one and I’m so looking forward to what we’ll build together.These people? They aren’t just names.
They’re part of me now. Part of this journey.
I could keep going, but I can’t even see the screen anymore because of the tears…
So I’m gonna stop here.
But if you’re reading this? If you’re struggling - with grief, with illness, with your sense of self - listen to me…
You belong here!
This place can change you. I’m proof of it.
And I’m here. Anytime. For anyone who needs it…
God bless you 🙏
Want to heal on a deeper level?
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I’m a holistic nurse who’s lived through pain, grief, trauma, anxiety & depression and healed naturally.
I’ll ask the right questions, get to the root cause, and guide you to real transformation.
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Transform To Wellness- Kathleen Thorne RN, LMT (RN3252112/ MA54880)
Kathy,
Friend I have to say this is the most beautiful post I have read. It is written right from the heart. I love it and you rock at everything you do. I definitely can't wait to subscribe this week. You are awesome and very talented as a writer as well. Wish you much success and happiness friend. Blessings. :)
Dear Kathleen,
You caught me off guard with this, in the best way. Thank you for your generous words—your heart, your honesty, and your presence on Substack are already making a powerful impact. I’ve seen how deeply you care, how thoughtfully you show up, and how much you pour into this space. It’s a gift to be in community with you. I’m here cheering you on, always. 💜