Have you noticed people shine a light on what they want others to see, desperate to hide their flawed selves?
My name’s Karen and PURPOSE within DARKNESS is a space to comfortably expose our messy side, so we can embrace what makes us unique and serve others with confidence. I am a woman who at fifty finally grew up.
I am conquering my past; no longer ashamed of what I find.
I know what it’s like to navigate through the darkness–struggles with alcohol, even an arrest with a brief stint in rehab, following years of compounding shame–but I’ve discovered the transformative power of facing my past with courage.
✨ Welcome to a thoughtful space for vulnerability, self-discovery, and recovery—where you'll find community rather than judgment.
A word of caution, straight from my heart: Exploring our past can be traumatic. Healing needs to take place before the investigation. I spent eighteen months in support groups before I started writing to heal. You don't have to—nor should you—heal alone.
I spent most of my professional career designing beautiful kitchens and being the glue that kept my family together.
✨ This Substack is something altogether different: a space where you can show up as your authentic self, no mask required. It's the kind of beauty that runs deep, not superficial but purposeful.
Who am I?
A child of Christ who lost her way.
I know what it is to not be a believer, for fifty years I didn’t have a relationship with Christ, until one day that all changed.
A wife married 29+ years and mother of two grown daughters.
Marriage and motherhood don’t come easily, and every day I work at those roles.
A woman in recovery from life.
Alcohol is what led me into recovery, and it isn’t my sobriety but my pride that’s keeping me here.
A writer of Fiction Recovery.
What is Fiction Recovery? Story-telling that is based on real-life experiences that cover themes of generational trauma, resilience and healing, whereas the character arc provides recovery growth.
In this cozy corner of Substack, you'll find:
Three posts per month that blend vulnerable storytelling with practical recovery solutions
Fiction pieces that make brutal truths more accessible
Real talk about shame, defects of character, and finding purpose in midlife
A judgment-free zone where we're just humans in need of healing
A recovery Substack that’s not restricted to drug and alcohol abuse.
A safe space to talk about recovery from your past, like a dysfunctional childhood and adult behavior that is the cause of deep shame
Here’s how this whole thing works…
Free Subscribers:
All my written posts (because accessibility is key)
Book recommendations that provide healing—when I discover an author whose book has touched me, I will share it with you!
Transparent stories about my journey, using fiction to protect the anonymity of family and friends
Guests willing to share their recovery
Because we’re doing things differently around here… in lieu of a paid plan, you can donate $5 and buy a recovery book:
One book is all it takes to set the tone for recovery. The problem is that the books aren’t getting into the hands of those who need them most. It’s my mission to provide books that serve as a tool and provide hope for the addict.
My message is simple—if you are struggling to find your purpose you don't need to look far—PURPOSE is found in the shadows of your past.
So, if you're lost, this newsletter is for you.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5 NLT
You can read more of my writing on my Grow Together blog.
