Welcome to PERFECT HUNGER: Feeding your hunger for a more beautiful, more nourishing life
As a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I’ve spent years guiding people towards holistic wellness. But for many of us, working one-on-one with a practitioner or investing in programs, medications, or supplements isn’t always the right (or accessible) option.
That’s why I created PERFECT HUNGER: to offer a window into the simple, accessible wellness practices that have helped me and so many of my patients, blended with compassion and guidance to help you feel better.
This isn’t about restriction, deprivation, or making health complicated. It’s about returning to what we already know but maybe lost track of. It’s about feeding our hunger for a more nourishing, more beautiful life: body, mind, spirit.
What you’ll find at PERFECT HUNGER
The Practice: an actionable, “guided self-help” series delivering bite-sized nourishment and practical guidance related to food, body, and holistic wellness (paid)
Exploration Essays: heart-sourced, no-bullsh*t insights on body-mind-spirit wellness and the intersection of self, others, and culture (free)
Link-Ups: what’s consuming me lately, featuring provocative listens, obsessive reads, and the occasional beautiful rabbit hole (paid)
My Soulful Life: personal letters about soulful living in Thailand, what’s nourishing me, and what I’m hungry for (These personal letters are free on occasion, but those that feel especially vulnerable or scary to share will remain exclusive to paid subscribers.)
SoberStack™: a regularly updated newsletter directory featuring alcohol-free writers on Substack (free)
You can expect at least one free post a month. For full access to everything above, including The Practice and My Soulful Life, upgrade your subscription here:
Find a few popular essays below, along with some messages, testimonials, and comments I’ve received from this kind, generous community.
Thank you for being here, from my heart to yours.
Dana
Quieting Food Noise (Without Ozempic) - Part 1
This three-part series is for anyone interested in quieting food noise naturally. Part 1 (today) offers an entry into this conversation; Parts 2 and 3 (coming in November) offer practical steps for changing your default patterns and finding relief.
“I found your work because of your essay on food noise, and I feel seen, understood and cared for in the ways you speak about this topic. It’s a lifelong challenge for me that I continue to heal and work with. Thank you for your contribution to the conversation.”
—Anonymous
It’s Not Political. It’s Hate.
“One of the huge issues in the world these days [...] is not political. It’s hate.”
“Wow...Dana writes from raw, unabashed, unashamed experience. She’s done it...and she tells you about it.”
“Dana truly writes from (and to) the soul. She’s the wise friend in your inbox you can’t wait to hear from, sprinkled with some tough, compassionate love when you need it. I’m glad to have found Dana here, she’s one of the real ones.”
“Dana is a deep-thinking soul whose writing always helps me consider my inner self.”
Victim or Villain: Two Sides of the Same Coin
During my first year sober, a pivotal practice was taking radical accountability and dropping stories that centered myself as the victim. Writing an 80,000-word (unpublished) memoir was part of this process, helping me to find forgiveness, understand my part, and move on. In the telling of my life—in recounting what
“A favorite newsletter and community where true connection to self and authenticity in accountability reign supreme.”
“Beautiful, insightful writing that continues to deliver vulnerable pieces touching on the subjects that enrich life deeply. I always come back for more and each time something resonates with me.”
“Excellent support readings for people who are trying to be sober. Self motivation at its finest.”
Who Are We Without Our Labels?
Sometimes I regret creating an online identity that revolves around sobriety. It’s not that I wish to hide or quit being sober. It’s just that the things I think, feel, and write about go beyond that. They’re about being sober and being human.
“Dana is an incredibly kind soul and a wonderful writer.”
Skinny Shaming Is Still Body Shaming
I spent much of my teens, twenties, and thirties caught in addictive cycles related to food. In high school, I went on hour-plus runs then picked at lettuce and pretzels. In college, I ate in a cement stairwell rather than face our packed cafeteria. In grad school, I subsisted on
“I read about myself when I read your essay.”
—Kathleen
No Unsolicited Advice, Please
As regular readers know, I end every essay with an invitation and request: “I’d love for you to share in the comments. Please just keep it about you and your experience—no unsolicited advice, please.”
“My first response is a heartfelt THANK YOU for this piece, for opening up a larger conversation about this.”
Mainlining Self-Help
Each evening, after dinner and before crawling into bed, I do a gentle yoga practice followed by seated meditation. In my darkened room, listening to wind in trees, I exhale, quiet my senses, settle.
Dana’s writing always makes me think a little differently and exhale a little more deeply.”
“Honest and deeply caring. Love this approach to life.”
My Relationship With Writing Is Changing
In 2020, the year I got sober, I wrote an 80,000-word memoir. This was not the layered-and-literary, urgent-yet-timeless work I’d envisioned. This was the diary of someone desperate to declare her identity, set the record straight, and pin it all down on paper.
“So much love and admiration for Dana’s skill at blending storytelling, authenticity and insight into such beautifully-crafted work. Always gold.”
To the Commenter Who Shamed Me
Two weeks ago, a subscriber dropped by SoberStack (my annotated directory of Substack newsletters dedicated to addiction recovery) and left a comment: “Apparently the principle of service is lost upon you Dana Leigh Lyons.”
“No bullshit, no pretence.”
Sort-of Sober Isn’t Sober (Also: we don’t get to insert ourselves everywhere)
A few weeks ago, I came across an essay by someone who identifies as “sort-of sober” and “sober with an asterisk.” The author, who drinks on occasion, expressed her loneliness within sober communities and her desire to belong. She suggested that sober communities might be “gatekeeping” because they don’t feel welcoming to her experience.
“Love what you are doing. Thank you for helping to build community here.”
“What an amazing resource for people wanting to live a wonderful sober life!”
How “Everything in Moderation” Is Just Settling for Mediocrity
Since a lot of folks try out sobriety in January—or put other new, helpful habits in place—I’m stopping by with a bit of tough love and some uncomfortable questions. Ready? Here’s the thing.
“This was perfect. I’ve rarely felt so seen, so well represented, by another person’s words.”
“Dana writes with heart and soul on themes of life post-addiction, bringing a wealth of wisdom from her background in yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
“Dana’s writing is a fantastic combination of vibrant and eminently helpful. I appreciate her honest sharing from her own life experiences, as well as her wisdom as a longtime meditation practitioner and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
Financial Binging vs. Financial Anorexia
Settling into a corner of our small town café to savour a small drip coffee, I set the mug to one side, open my laptop, and pull up two tabs: One, my bank account. Two, my budgeting software.
“Beautiful, all of this. Thank you, Dana. I subscribed today because of this essay.”
“I love reading your raw posts. When I get depressed I get really self absorbed but when I read your honest posts it reminds me that every single person is going through just as much of a chaotic experience as I am and I like your perspective on your present and past.”
—Anonymous
“My first visit to her ‘stack was like expecting a quick shower, but realizing you needed a long bath. I slowed down, soaked in her words at a leisurely pace, and became a paid subscriber after reading just one post.”
“This is my first paid subscription on Substack. She writes from her heart and has the courage and strength to talk about meaningful topics. Thought provoking and authentic.”
“Funny, witty, good writing and deeply personal in a way you will relate to. Always a good read.”
“Thoughtful, vulnerable and authentic. Required reading for anyone struggling with addiction of any kind.”
“I was reminded this morning by a friend that I am done diminishing myself for others. I get SO inspired by your writing, Dana, because you are SO real, and every time I read what you share, it makes me love you more, not less. And that’s what I want. I just want to be me, and express me, and do it unfiltered and unfettered. Not in a messy way... but raw and real... like you do. Obviously we filter some... but not in a diminishing ourselves kinda way. I don’t want to dim my light in fear that my brightness will hurt someone else’s feelings. I can’t do that anymore. I need and want to be ME—fully and completely—and let those who love me for me, to show up.”
