Locked Out, Let Back In:

The Four-Month Lockout That Taught Me a Lesson

For four months, I was locked out of Substack. Literally. Couldn’t log in, couldn’t post, couldn’t connect. At times, I wondered if I should just give up.

For a while, I did.

I turned to Beehiiv as an alternative. I didn’t make much headway there, but I don’t think it was wasted time. Beehiiv became a space to test ideas, build differently, and learn skills I might not have discovered if Substack had stayed open.

The lesson? When one door locks, don’t just stand there waiting. Build somewhere else, and when the original door reopens, you return stronger.

Why Diversification Is More Than Finance

We usually talk about diversification in money—don’t put all your eggs in one basket. But the truth is, it applies everywhere:

• As a student, I grew by reading a variety of perspectives and making friends from different backgrounds.

• Athletes diversify their workouts—building not just one muscle, but a whole body.

• Visual artists use more than one color to bring a vision to life.

• Quilters stitch together variety to make fabric stronger.

👉 Diversity builds strength.
👉 Diversity adds beauty.
👉 Diversity creates resilience.

In today’s climate, where even the word diversity makes some uncomfortable, I can’t ignore the reality: variety makes individuals—and systems—better.

The Good News: Doors Open Again

Sometimes we’re locked out of the places, people, or systems we’ve invested in. But doors do open again. And when they do, we often return with more determination and new skills we wouldn’t have learned otherwise.

A Practical Challenge for You

Think about where you feel “locked out” right now. It could be:

• A school system that doesn’t see your child.

• A workplace that doesn’t hear your voice.

• Or even your own confidence that feels shut away.

👉 What’s one small step you can take this week to “pick the lock” and step back in?

Closing Thoughts

I’m grateful to be back on Substack, and I’ll continue to share fresh stories and strategies there. But I’m not abandoning Beehiiv either—because growth often happens in more than one place.

If you’re reading this, it means you didn’t give up on me. Thank you. Let’s keep building, diversifying, and telling stories that open doors.