3 Lessons that Changed How I Grow my Substack (as a burnt-out writer)

How setting boundaries led to a healthier business (and saved my sanity)

I’ve run a successful resume & coaching business for years. And then I burnt out.

Back then, I thought I had it all figured out:

• 60-hour work weeks as a writer & coach.

• Taking on every client possible.

• Saying yes to everything that came my way.

I had the drive, the hustle, and I was determined to make it work.

But when I hit burnout in early 2024?

Everything changed…

I simply couldn’t work the same hours as before.

Suddenly, I wasn't just managing a business—I was managing my sanity, my health, and the kind of exhaustion that doesn't care what your client calendar says.

And here's the wild part:

My business started growing more consistently after I burnt out.

Because I had to do things differently. Smarter. Simpler.

My burnt out taught me a lot about business. It also taught me a lot about how I wanted to grow my Substack. I knew I couldn’t frantically do all the things and success.

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Here are 3 big lessons I've learned about growing a newsletter (and business) in the aftermath of burnout:

1. You don't need more clients—you need a better system.

The biggest shift? I built processes that allowed me to serve clients effectively—even when I'm not working around the clock. Because life is unpredictable... but your income and newsletter growth don't have to be.

2. Boundaries beat hustle every time.

I don't work 60-hour weeks anymore. I don't take on every client who comes my way. I stick to clear boundaries, reuse what works, and plan in advance—so I can *execute* even when my energy reserves are depleted from previous burnout.

3. Progress looks different now—and that's okay.

I no longer aim for maximum output or perfect consistency. I aim for *repeatable systems* that keep things moving even if I have to slow down for a week (or a season). That's what sustainable growth looks like for me now.

If you're a writer or creator who's also struggling with burnout...

Or if you're simply growing your newsletter in the margins of a full, messy, beautiful life—I hope this encourages you.

You don't need to work harder or show up more.

You need a system that works *for you*.

Systems are everything. You need a repeatable system you can stick to, so when life gets busy or you get tired, you just stick to your system.

And the irony? Once I started creating these boundaries and systems—my newsletter grew MORE. My resume writing business made MORE.

Sometimes doing less—but doing it right—is the answer you've been looking for all along.

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📌 Need a System? Join the Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass

If you’re like me and thrive on having a simple system you can rely on, you’ll love this masterclass. By now, 100’s have gone through this class and are growing their newsletters consistently every day.

Inside the Substack Growth Masterclass, you’ll:

• Learn the system that helped me grow from Zero to 7000+ subscribers

• Get my outreach strategies that grow my newsletter 24/7

• Understand how to monetize beyond only paid subscriptions

• Get my templates for using AI to help me speed up the writing process

If you’re ready to start growing with a sustainable system, you can check it out below:

Question: What systems have helped you avoid burnout while growing your newsletter?