More Than a Sob Story: Why Our Truth Matters

We connect, we engage, we help each other

It’s a sunny day in my part of the world, and between trauma recovery coaching, some self-care, and a bit of foraging in my area, I took time to read a few fascinating Substack posts.

I also tried to listen in on a live session—just to see what it was like. It was all about growing your audience, strategy, and probably a lot more. But something stopped me from listening for more than five minutes: just a few words.

The guest dismissed some Substack writers for sharing what she called sob stories. And that rubbed me the wrong way.

You see, not all of us are writing about how to build a mega following. Many of us write from the depths of real life—family dynamics, birth, death, burnout, job loss, joy, love, pets who make us laugh and those whose illnesses break our hearts. We write what we know. We write what we live.

Depending on how you see them, all stories are “sob stories.” Even novels—the most celebrated ones—are rooted in drama, longing, redemption, and joy.

I refuse to believe people aren't interested in real life, real stories. In fact, this is how we connect. We validate each other through shared experience. We learn not through bullet points but by alchemising lived moments into meaning.

If you look at what has lasted through the centuries—myths, allegories, fables—they’re all stories of suffering, beauty, survival, and transformation.

I’ll keep writing my “sob stories.” Because they are sacred. And I know I’m not alone.

Navigating life is a full-time job … responsibilities, emotional baggage, this job doesn’t come with a map or a compass. None of us gets a guidebook.

But along the way, we can become supportive companions for others—often without even realizing it. A word, a story, a sign… these things remind someone they’re not alone in their struggle. They offer the validation needed to survive another day.

We connect deeply with people we may never meet in person, yet who feel close because they get it. Because they've been through something similar. Because shared experiences bridge even the widest distances.

So yes—I will keep reading the so-called sob stories. I’ll keep cheering on the survivors.
Because these stories are life. And they matter.

What are your thoughts about sharing your life stories—especially the ones marked by pain or struggle? Do you ever worry they’ll be seen as “sob stories,” or do you believe there’s value in telling them anyway?

Until next time, be well!

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I’m truly grateful you’re part of this journey. May your days be filled with light, inspiration, and moments of peace.

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