How I Went from Burnt Out & Bored to a Life I Love in 6 Months as a Newsletter Writer & Creator

How a simple newsletter transformed my work, health, and bank account in about half a year

The Breaking Point that Changed Everything

I woke up in a panic attack.

My heart pounded against my chest like it was trying to escape. The room spun. My phone glowed in the dark—5 AM. I had 8 client calls scheduled that day. Eight humans counting on me to help them fix their resumes, coach them through career transitions, tell them it would all be okay.

But nothing felt okay.

My mom had recently passed away and the impact of that still affected me. And now my brother's diagnosis: brain cancer. The words felt foreign, impossible.

If I learned nothing else from navigating family members’ sickness, it was that life’s short. Too short to do things every day we don’t really love.

Yet there I was, running a "successful" business. Six figures. Work-from-home freedom. The dream, right?

Except I couldn’t sleep. Couldn't remember the last time I'd done anything that brought me actual joy rather than just checking boxes on an endless to-do list.

My business had become a prison of my own making. Each client call stretched longer than the scheduled hour. Each resume revision bled into the next. I'd solved one problem—financial security—but created another.

I was making money but losing at life.

That panic attack wasn't my first, but something about it felt different. Maybe it was the new year looming. Maybe it was the stark reminder of mortality that only comes from losing someone you love. Whatever the reason, I knew with absolute clarity:

Something had to change.

Not tomorrow. Not next quarter. Not after "just one more client."

Now.

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How to Become a Full-Time Writer & Creator

Like most desperate people, I went looking for a quick fix.

YouTube seemed like the answer. Everyone was talking about it. Creator economy this, passive income that. I watched video after video of seemingly normal people building audiences and making money while doing what they loved.

"This is it," I thought. "This is how I escape."

I spent a week planning my channel. Bought a decent mic. Downloaded editing software. Made lists of video ideas. I'd talk about career development, but in a fresh way. No more stuffy corporate advice—I'd tell the raw truth about climbing the ladder.

Then I froze.

The thought of turning on the camera filled me with dread. Not just regular nervousness—deep, visceral resistance. I'd come up with every excuse: the lighting wasn't right, my office was too messy, my content plan needed more work.

After two weeks of procrastination, I called my friend Nick. He already gave it to me straight.

“I’ve got all my video equipment and going to start creating some videos,” I told him. “No really, I’m going to do it this time.” I’d been saying this for weeks.

There was a pause on the line.

"Wes, if you wanted to be a YouTube creator, you would have done it by now."

He was right. I'd known about YouTube for years. I'd thought about starting a channel before. If it was truly aligned with who I was, I'd have found a way past the resistance.

"Why don't you stick with what you know?" he asked.

What I knew was writing. I'd been writing since college. Written thousands of resumes. Countless cover letters. Blog posts that no one read. Journal entries that kept me sane.

I'd even started a Substack newsletter the year before but abandoned it after a few lackluster posts.

Writing wasn't sexy or trendy like video. It wouldn't make me famous. But sitting down at a keyboard felt like coming home.

What if I gave Substack another shot?

Not halfheartedly like before. Not as an afterthought. But as the main thing.

The more I thought about it, the more right it felt. No cameras. No editing software. No performative personality required.

Just me, good insights, a business plan, and a blank page.

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The Pivot: Returning to My Strengths as a Writer

I decided to relaunch my Substack.

But this time would be different. No more halfhearted attempts. No more publishing random thoughts and hoping someone would care.

This time I had clarity.

I'd write about building a freedom-based life and business. I'd help people escape the cubicle — something I'd already done myself. I'd share the strategies that worked, the mistakes I made, and the shortcuts I discovered along the way.

This wasn't just another business idea. It was a mission.

Every day I saw people trapped in jobs they hated, trading their time for money, missing their kids' soccer games because some middle manager needed a PowerPoint by morning.

I could help them break free. I could be the guide I wished I'd had.

So, I got to work.

I spent hours researching what successful newsletters did differently. I studied headlines, formatting, storytelling. I analyzed what topics resonated with readers. I reached out to Substack writers I followed and admired, asking them for advice.

Most importantly, I made a commitment to consistency. No more publishing whenever I felt inspired. I set a schedule and stuck to it, even when subscribers were few and engagement was low.

This wasn't about overnight success. This was about building something sustainable that would grow over time.

Something that wouldn't wake me up in a panic attack at 5 AM.

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The Slow Build: How to Start & Grow Your Substack Newsletter

At first, growth was slow.

I'd publish a post and watch as only a handful of people opened it. Sometimes I'd spend hours crafting what I thought was the perfect newsletter, only to see dismal engagement numbers.

It was tempting to quit—again.

But I reminded myself that this was different. I wasn't writing random thoughts anymore. I was building something with purpose, something that could genuinely help people.

So, I kept going.

I started leveraging LinkedIn, where I already had an audience built from my resume business. I didn't try to be clever or tricky. I simply shared honest updates about my journey:

"After 5 years of helping people write resumes, I'm now teaching them how to build businesses so they don't need resumes anymore."

People resonated with the authenticity. Some of my LinkedIn connections became my first loyal subscribers.

Every time someone new subscribed, I'd send them a personal note asking what brought them in and what they hoped to learn. Their responses shaped my content strategy.

I noticed patterns in what they wanted:

• *Step-by-step systems, not vague advice

• *Real stories, not just theory

• *Specific examples they could apply immediately

So that's what I delivered.

Week after week, I showed up. The subscriber count ticked up slowly: 100, 200, 300.

It wasn't explosive growth, but it was steady. And each new subscriber wasn't just a number—they were a real person looking for guidance on their own journey to freedom.

I was building something that mattered, and that kept me going even when the growth felt painfully slow.

Then everything changed.

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The Breakthrough: The Power of Substack Notes

I discovered Substack Notes by accident.

I was scrolling through my Substack app one evening when I noticed the Notes feature—Substack's version of X / Twitter. Other writers were posting short updates, asking questions, and sharing quick tips.

At first, I didn't get it. Why would I spend time on yet another social platform?

But something told me to try it. I posted a simple Note about how Substack felt like a local coffee shop, where everyone hangs out with their friends and the barista knows your name.

That's it. Just a few lines expressing how I felt about the platform.

I woke up the next morning to dozens of notifications. The Note had taken off—hundreds of likes, comments pouring in, people saying they felt exactly the same way.

More importantly: subscriber notifications kept pinging my phone throughout the day.

Over the next few weeks, over 100+ new subscribers from a single Note that took me less than a minute to write.

I was shocked. And immediately intrigued. This wasn't just a happy accident. This was a system I could replicate.

I started studying Notes more seriously:

• *What types of Notes got the most engagement

• *What time of day seemed most active

• *How formatting affected readability

• *What topics resonated with the Substack community

I developed a simple pattern:

Morning: Community Note that helped writers connect with each other

Afternoon: Educational Notes with quick, actionable tips

Evening: Inspirational Notes that kept people motivated

The results were consistent. Not every Note went viral (that’s not the goal), but collectively, they created a steady stream of new subscribers.

Unlike my earlier LinkedIn strategy that required leveraging an existing audience, Notes was putting me in front of people who had never heard of me before.

It was like having a growth engine that ran 24/7.

The best part? Each Note took less than 10 minutes to create. I could write them while walking on the treadmill or waiting for coffee.

I'd finally found my flywheel—the system that would accelerate everything else.

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The Results: Six Months Later

Fast forward six months.

What started as an experiment has transformed into something I never imagined.

My subscriber count now sits at 6,500+ and grows daily. More importantly, I've generated over $50,000 in digital product sales—courses, templates, and workshops designed to help others build their own newsletters.

The numbers are nice, but the freedom is better.

I've helped diversify my income with something that:

• *Doesn't require back-to-back client calls

• *Doesn't burn me out

• *Doesn't keep me up at night

Instead of trading hours for dollars, I create once and it reaches people day after day. Instead of helping one person at a time, I can help thousands simultaneously.

My daily schedule has completely transformed:

Morning: I spend my treadmill cardio time drafting Substack Notes and responding to comments

Mid-day: Deep work on newsletter content or digital products

Afternoon: Free time for family, salsa (I teach classes), or whatever I choose

No more panic attacks. No more Sunday night dread. No more feeling trapped in a business that looked good on paper but drained my soul.

The difference isn't just in how I work—it's in how I feel.

I have energy again. I laugh more. I'm present with the people I love instead of constantly thinking about the next client deadline.

And I'm just getting started.

This coming week, I'm opening my Substack community—a paid subscription tier where I'll provide:

• *Monthly workshop training to help community members grow

• *New Notes template every Monday (so you won’t write from scratch)

• *Feedback Threads & special Notes Boosts

• *Community support with an open space to collaborate with other writers

It's the natural next evolution of what I've built. A place where I can go deeper with people who are serious about creating their own freedom through newsletters.

The journey from panic attacks to purpose took just six months.

And it all started with a simple decision to do things differently.

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The Jumpstart Plan: 5 Steps to Transform Your Life with a Newsletter

If you're where I was six months ago—burned out, unfulfilled, and ready for change—you don't need to reinvent the wheel.

Here's the jumpstart plan I wish someone had given me:

1. Choose Something You Genuinely Enjoy Writing About

This sounds obvious, but most people get it wrong. They pick topics they think will be profitable rather than subjects they could write about month after month without getting bored.

The secret? Solve reader problems.

If you can clearly identify your readers' pain points and create content that helps solve them, you'll have subscribers for life. Don't just share information—provide transformation.

2. Stay Consistent Even When It Feels Pointless

It took me months to gain real momentum. The beginning is always the hardest part.

Most newsletter writers quit before they hit the tipping point. They publish a few posts, see minimal results, and conclude "this doesn't work."

Success in this space isn't about one viral hit—it's about showing up consistently, even when the metrics aren't exciting. The compound effect is real, but it requires patience.

3. Choose ONE External Platform and Master It

Don't try to be everywhere at once. I see too many writers spreading themselves thin across Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and more.

Choose one platform that:

• *Already has your ideal audience

• *Aligns with your content style

• *You actually enjoy using

For me, that was LinkedIn initially, then Substack Notes. For you, it might be different. The key is focus, not fragmentation.

4. Market Yourself Without Apology

Most writers stay broke because they're uncomfortable promoting their work or themselves.

Here's the mindset shift that helped me: A retail store wouldn't be shy about opening their doors for business. Every day, they turn on the lights and welcome customers.

Your newsletter is no different. Every day, you need to open your doors for business and invite people in.

This doesn't mean being pushy or spammy. It means confidently sharing the value you offer and inviting those who need it to subscribe.

5. Focus on Building Community

Newsletters that create connection outperform those that only deliver information.

Two ways to do this:

• *Reach out to collaborate with other writers (cross-promotion helps everyone)

• *Create spaces where your subscribers can connect with you and each other

People crave belonging more than they crave content. When you build a community around your newsletter, you create something much more valuable than just another email subscription.

This is exactly why I'm launching my Substack community this week—to create that deeper connection that everyone is searching for.

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The Transformation Is Real (And It's Your Turn)

Six months ago, I was drowning in a business that checked all the "success" boxes but left me empty.

Today, I wake up excited about the day ahead. I create on my own terms. I help thousands of people pursue their own version of freedom. And yes, I make more money with less stress than ever before.

The newsletter path isn't just another business model—it's a complete lifestyle transformation.

No more:

• *Trading time for money

• *Sacrificing health for wealth

• *Missing life's important moments for work deadlines

• *Feeling trapped in a business that doesn't light you up

But the biggest change is internal. The panic attacks are gone. The Sunday night dread has disappeared. The constant feeling of being overwhelmed has been replaced with a sense of control and purpose.

I didn't get here through some magical talent or special connections. I got here by following a clear system—one that anyone willing to put in the work can replicate.

That's not just encouraging talk. I've already helped dozens of writers build their own newsletter businesses using these exact strategies. People from all backgrounds, with no previous audience, who are now seeing subscriber growth and revenue they never thought possible.

The question isn't whether this path can work for you.

The question is: Are you ready to take the first step?

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📌 Next Steps: Join the Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass

If you're feeling overwhelmed by growing a newsletter, I get it. I've been there. That's exactly why I created my Six-Figure Substack Growth Masterclass where I walk you through:

• *Exactly how I grew from Zero to 5000+ subscribers in 6 months

• *How to find audience problems and create solutions to solve them

• *My proven templates for growing and monetizing your newsletter

• *Step-by-step implementation plans to set you up to succeed

Join hundreds of other newsletter writers who are already using these strategies to build profitable newsletters. If you’re ready to finally start growing (and monetizing) your audience this year, click the button below and join us inside the masterclass 👇

Remember: The first step is always the hardest. If you’re feeling burnt out & bored (like I was), it’s time for a change. Making the decision is the first step; following up with action is next.

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Question: Have you start your newsletter yet? Drop a link to your Substack. I’ll read through and offer any tips to grow and improve. 💡

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📌 PS - If you found this post helpful, would you please consider restacking it and sharing it with your audience?

This spreads the word and keeps me writing content that will help you grow your Substack and “escape the cubicle” life. 🙏