Thank you for the first 1,000.
On reaching over 1,000 subscribers to my publication.
This past weekend I hit 1,000 subscribers here on Substack.
As of the time of finalizing this draft, I have 1,008. My heart is so full and I want to vomit. If I were standing in a room with all 1,008 of you, I’d likely be uncomfortably roaming in the back, trying to stay away from the crowd. Writing here means I get to take center stage without the accompanying stage freight and have my voice heard. When I publish these musings here it doesn’t feel like I’m reciting them to a thousand people, it feels like I’m writing my thoughts in a journal that I share with the world.
Last year in July, I imported my 232 subscribers list to Substack from my blog. To try and “start fresh” I went on a deleting spree. I removed known old or duplicate emails and folks who I no longer wanted to receive my emails. While doing this, I ran across the email of a friend who died by suicide early last year. I couldn’t and didn’t delete her email. Today being World Suicide Prevention Day, I’m thinking of and remembering her. A sister in the struggle who “better” didn’t come fast enough for. I take up this space for her. I write for her. For me. For others like us in the constant struggle who desperately cling to hope that better will come in time. And I share them in hopes of making sure more of us stick around to see it happen.
You being here means so much to me.
It feels cliche, but real to say that I created something beautiful from my pain. I release. My voice is heard. Others feel seen. More of us survive. And I’m so grateful you’re here. Whether you open every email or none at all. At some point, you decided you wanted a dose of me in your inbox so, yay–thank you!
Since I don’t pass up a chance to celebrate myself or have a photoshoot, I bought these 1K balloons and snapped some pictures on my couch. Happy as can be.
How I grew.
Each time I’ve celebrated a subscriber milestone here, I was asked how I’ve seen growth on the platform. My genuine answers are:
I write my authentic experience. Vulnerably and transparently.
I engage. I eventually open every publication email I receive. I may not read the entire post. I may have twice. But I’ve opened the email. I may have liked it. Commented. Shared. Or engaged on a note.
I don’t have a magic formula or full-proof strategy. I just show up to the page and the community.
One of the main reasons I joined Substack is because I wanted another writing community. Blogging felt so lonely because it was just me typing into the abyss and every now and then getting to engage with a reader or two. I wanted to get back to sharing my writing publicly after ending my blog during the pandemic. But I didn’t want it to be on my own platform. I wanted a platform where I could foster community and be exposed to other writers, especially heart-centered ones. And what a reward the Substack community has been. I declared “abundance” my word and I have definitely received it when it comes to this space. I’ve received so much love and support here. I’ve received gifts, books, and money from folks I only know through this platform. I love it here.
And speaking of the love and support I receive here. I just have to shoutout
, , and whose publication recommendations on their platforms have generated the most new followers for me.Here’s to the next 1,000!
What you all liked most…
Thank you for reading ‘here comes the sun.’
A special shoutout to my paid subscribers, I appreciate you all SO much! — Mommy, GG, Yetti, Jaydeen, Erica, Sharie, Melanie, Amara, Rahima, Karen, Kimie, Catherine, Oish, Tiffany, Natazah, Elena, Ashantia, Brittany, Tyana, and John.
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Share this or any other post with someone who may need it.
Whenever I read your writing, it feels as though I’ve written it myself. There are so many parallels to my own life that I find reflected in your words, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to take them in.
Congratulations on this achievement! May this space continue to grow and nourish you in ways beyond what you could ever imagine 🤎
Congratulations! Wow 🤩