Hi, Reader.
I just crawled out of a hole after several weekends of memoir editing with a smile on my face.
My Job Is Me is really happening.
I'm excited. And a little bit terrified to have my story out for the whole world to read.
Was writing it a tiring, eye-opening rollercoaster? Yes.
Do I love it? YES.
Why?
Because at my core, I believe in the power of personal stories. I believe my story of growing up with an alcoholic mother and how I changed my life will help at least one of you. And that makes it more than worth it.
Here's what I know to be true, Reader:
Hearing a stranger's story can help heal you. It can shine a light on your next step. And there is something deeply cathartic about getting it out of your brain and heart and onto paper. Digital paper counts.
From time to time when I write about writing, people reply saying they wish they'd written down their experiences. From their kid years to their wise years. They say it would have been a helluva read.
They have this should've tone about it that breaks my heart.
So let me say this as clearly as I can:
BUDDY, WRITE.
It's not too late. Write it out. Even if no one ever reads it but you or your cat (if you're like me, your cat will always get the out-loud read). Just grab a notepad and paper or your phone's Notes app and jot your thoughts. Or drop a snippet of your experience or your wisdom on a YouTube video. Or start a blog.
I get it. The idea of revisiting bad memories doesn't exactly sound like fun.
I wrote a chapter of my memoir that fills my eyes with tears just thinking about it. It hurt to write, Reader.
But getting it out? Along with all the good and the bad? It gave me so many feels. Sadness. But ultimately, joy and gratitude. For turning my life around. For the ways my family improved, too.
Dang. Addiction and dysfunction cycle breaker here! I'm proud of how far I've come.
Now I need to tell you something.
If you've been following my journey, you know I've done a lot of things over the 16 years I've been healing and creating a good life. Education through books, podcasts, blogs, and videos. Therapists (a few good ones and a few bad ones). Self-care. Not the bubble bath kind, though those are good, too. The real kind. The taking-care-of-me kind.
But hands down, the single most impactful element of my healing?
Hearing other people's stories.
Knowing I wasn't the only one. Hearing someone describe a feeling I thought only I carried. The situations that mirrored my own with eerie similarity.
I used to sit in Al-Anon meetings hearing stories I'd never heard anywhere else. Honest. Raw. Real. And I wanted more of those stories to exist out in the world, where anyone searching for someone who gets it could find them.
So I started blogging and YouTube-ing and sharing mine.
What I never expected was how much you would give back to me.
Your comments. Your messages. Your willingness to share your own stories. You make other people feel less alone. You have no idea how far that ripples.
I see it. I read it. It moves me constantly.
You inspire me. You always have.
There are now more than 4,000 people subscribed to my YouTube channel. Whaaaat? I started that channel in 2010 for one simple reason: to connect with other adult children of alcoholics. It's grown into this global community of people who grew up with a parent who drank too much or experienced other types of dysfunction and it's an honor. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
If you haven't subscribed yet, here's the link. I publish new videos weekly.
What's coming next
This September, I'm releasing my memoir, My Job Is Me. The whole story. My mom. Her alcoholism. The years I spent trying to save her. And the moment I finally realized my real job was to save myself.
Everything I've shared in pieces is in there, in full.
You were part of what made me brave enough to write it, Reader.
More details coming very soon.
In the meantime, if you've been sitting on a story, a journal entry, a messy Google doc, a letter you never sent, Reader, write it. Get it out. You don't have to publish it. You don't have to show anyone.
Just get it out of your head and onto the page.
I promise you it helps.
Not sure where to start? Start here:
✍️ How to Use Writing as a Healing Tool
✍️ The Healing Power of Writing
✍️ How to Start a Blog
Have you ever written or made videos talking about your experiences? Or have you been wanting to? Hit reply and tell me. I read every one.
Take good care of yourself,
Jody
Latest Video
About the day I realized I couldn't save my mom:
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👋 P.S. If you’re new here…
You're receiving this email because you signed up for it. You likely grew up being the responsible one and you're learning that your first job is actually taking care of yourself.
I'm Jody Lamb. I'm an author and memoirist who had to figure all of this out from scratch. I've been writing and making videos about it since 2009.
Every email is a mix of honest stories, practical stuff, and the kind of permission I wish someone had given me years ago.
My memoir, My Job Is Me, comes out September 2026.
I'm really glad you're here.
📖 Grab the free Blueprint: jodylamb.com/guide
🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/jodylamb
🌐 Visit: www.jodylamb.com
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