Trauma to Strength

Trauma to Strength

The Bad Day Protocol Part 5: After the Storm

How to come back from the edge without guilt, shame, or self-hate.

Leon Macfayden's avatar
Leon Macfayden
Jul 02, 2025
∙ Paid
16
2
3
Share

You made it.
And now… comes the silence.

There’s a weird kind of emptiness after a suicidal episode. It’s like your body’s still buzzing, but your mind is flattened. You may feel ashamed about how bad things have gotten. Or guilty for who you scared. Or worse, nothing at all.

But let me say this plainly:

Surviving is not a failure. It’s not a fluke. It’s not something to feel ashamed of.

It’s the bravest damn thing you did this week.


What Not to Say to Yourself Today

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Leon Macfayden
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture