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Healing & Growth
Personal Essays
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Men Cry Too - But Society Still Isn’t Ready for This Conversation
Why men are taught to hide their emotions, how society punishes male vulnerability, and why it’s time to rethink the idea that crying makes a man weak.
Mar 16
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Not Exactly Ana
92
47
27
Being the Strongest Person in the Room is Lonely as Hell
I survived depression, left a safe job, and learned the true cost of growing up.
Jan 2
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Not Exactly Ana
85
34
11
I Still Set an Empty Chair at Christmas: Coping with Loss and Missing Loved Ones
A Christmas reflection on grief, empty chairs, and the enduring hope for miracles and love
Dec 18, 2025
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Not Exactly Ana
125
70
33
I Stayed in an Abusive Relationship
A personal story about domestic violence and staying in an abusive relationship
Dec 22, 2025
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Not Exactly Ana
103
53
29
Women Are Not Incubators With Expiration Dates - And No One Is Late
A personal essay on being 26, unmarried, childfree, and refusing society’s timelines
Jan 15
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Not Exactly Ana
112
75
29
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Not Exactly Ana
Thinking of Quitting Substack? Read This First
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Thinking of Quitting Substack? Read This First
A raw, honest reminder for writers who feel stuck, unseen, and ready to give up—especially when nothing seems to work
Apr 17
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Substack Growth Strategy 2026: How I Use Pinterest to Get Free Traffic & More Subscribers
The exact system I use on Pinterest to drive consistent traffic and grow my Substack—including pin structure, SEO tactics, and what actually works in…
Apr 13
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For the Wrong Person, Even a Garden Full of Roses Is Just a Bush: The Beginning of the End of Love
A reflection on how the wrong love can dim our light, break our self‑trust, and quietly mark the beginning of the end.
Apr 6
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Not Exactly Ana
106
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Emotional Boundaries Don’t Start With the First ‘No’: Why Saying Yes Is Breaking You
A personal story about losing yourself, reclaiming your softness, and learning to set emotional boundaries without guilt.
Apr 1
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Not Exactly Ana
45
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13
Call Your Mom Before It’s Too Late - I Wish I Did Sooner
A deeply personal story about regret, distance, and the importance of calling your mom before it’s too late
Mar 30
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Not Exactly Ana
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The Woman I Became Cost Me Everything — And I’m Not Sorry
A raw personal story about sacrifice, pain, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to become yourself
Mar 25
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Not Exactly Ana Podcast
A Self-Forgiveness Letter That Helped Me Heal — And Might Help You Too
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