My Life As A Former Caveman

Emerging From The Dark + Finding My Light

Sep 03, 2025

For those who don’t know, I started this year in a very dark place. Publicly, I did my best to present the best version of myself. Privately, though, I felt like a caveman—not the goofy cartoon kind with clubs and stone wheels, but the lonely, isolated kind, painting shadows on the cave wall.

What a difference nine months can make.

Back in February, I took my first steps out of that cave after more than three years. Agoraphobia had me locked down in ways I didn’t even want to admit to myself.

All I can say about the experience is “Don’t do what I did, gurrrrl!”

Re-entering society after all that time has felt so surreal, like Rip Van Winkle waking up to a world that’s both familiar and strange. Nearly every day, I look back in shock and awe at who I let myself become—and how much I’ve managed to come back to life. And, hopefully, back to reality too.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on just how dark those days really were, and how quickly things have turned around and brightened up. The shift has been both subtle and dramatic, like watching dawn sneak in through the cracks until suddenly the whole room is full of sunlight.

One of the bright spots lately has been connecting with people who inspire me to keep going. Just last week, I had a great chat with Coach Ricky Vaughan, a fellow Substacker (and Texan) I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few months.

Coach Ricky Vaughn

Interview with Clint from Collide Press

This past week I had the privilege of spending some time with Clint Collide. Clint has been in my Monday Meditation group, the Woo Woo Crew, for awhile now, but over the past few weeks I have gotten to get to know him better. He is pure light and so much fun! He has created an incredible space and a beautiful community on Substack and Youtube. In this conversation, …

Listen now

9 months ago · 3 likes · Coach Ricky Vaughn and Clint Collide

Our long-winded kiki (thank you for your patience, Ricky!) reminded me how much richer life feels when I step out of my cave and into my community.

As an only child, it doesn’t always feel natural, but it always feels necessary.

I’d like to believe I’m a little wiser for the journey. But the only thing I know for sure? After three-plus years in the cave, I’m a helluva lot chattier.

Here’s to stepping out of our caves, finding our lights, and remembering that even the darkest chapters can give way to brighter days.

Thank you for being a friend!
Clint 🌈✌️

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ON THIS DAY = SEPTEMBER 3

BIRTHDAYS

1810 = Paul Kane = Irish-Canadian painter
1849 = Sarah Orne Jewett = American writer and poet 🌈
1875 = Ferdinand Porsche = Austrian-German engineer and Porsche founder
1897 = Sally Benson = American author and screenwriter
1913 = Alan Ladd = American actor and producer
1915 = Memphis Slim = American singer-songwriter
1918 = Helen Wagner = American actor
1919 = Phil Stern = American soldier and photographer
1923 = Glen Bell = American businessman and Taco Bell founder
1923 = Mort Walker = American cartoonist
1925 = Hank Thompson = American singer-songwriter
1929 = Larry Parnes = British manager and impresario 🌈
1932 = Eileen Brennan = American actor and singer
1934 = Freddie King = American singer-songwriter
1942 = Al Jardine = American singer-songwriter
1947 = Michael Huffington = American politician and film producer 🌈
1955 = Steve Jones = English singer-songwriter
1956 = Stephen Woolley = English director and producer
1963 = Malcolm Gladwell = Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker
1965 = Charlie Sheen = American actor and producer
1969 = Noah Baumbach = American actor and filmmaker
1978 = Nick Wechsler = American actor
1984 = Garrett Hedlund = American actor
1986 = Shaun White = American snowboarder, skateboarder, and guitarist

EVENTS

1666 = The Royal Exchange burns down in the Great Fire of London.
1783 = American Revolutionary War: The war ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain.
1838 = Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery.
1875 = The first official game of polo is played in Argentina after being introduced by British ranchers.
1951 = Search for Tomorrow premieres on CBS.
1971 = Jack Baker and Mike McConnell are the first same-sex couple to be married in the US.
1972 = The first Southern Decadence parade is held in New Orleans.