From Expired to Inspired
My journey begins here
Hey there, fabulous humans!
I’m Ulla Gaudin, and I’m beyond thrilled to kick off this journey with you here on "Expired". If you’ve stumbled upon this little doodle of a Substack, welcome! Grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s dive into the wild ride that is life, with all its ups, downs, and unexpected plot twists.
A Near-Death Experience – Literally
So, why Expired? Funny story, actually – well, funny now, not so much back then. At 23, I had a near-death experience that flipped my world upside down. I was in a very abusive relationship for years, starting when I was a teenager. My then-boyfriend had the charming habit of beating me up after nights of drunken debauchery with his friends.
One fateful night, he came home, and I woke up to him beating my stomach (since it doesn’t leave marks). I remember him strangling me, and the last thing I recall was him digging his teeth into my left eyebrow. The scar is still there 30 years later. I was clinically "dead" for 20 minutes. Yep, you read that right—dead as a doornail, kaput, expired.
But wait, there’s more! (As any good infomercial does 😄) A couple of years before that night, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer and wasn’t expected to live past 23. Yet here I am, defying all odds and living to tell the tale.
The Moment of Being "Dead"
When I came to in the ER, I didn’t immediately realize what I was seeing. It felt as though I was looking at myself from a distance – not really from above, but more like I was 8 or 9 feet tall. I had a 360-degree view of the entire room, seeing and hearing everything very clearly.
When I realized I was looking at myself lying lifeless on the hospital bed, a sense of panic washed over me. But as soon as I felt it, the feeling was lifted off me. I understood that everything was okay. I felt my grandparents’ presence next to me. They told me I had a choice: stay with them or go back. I knew I wanted to come back. I had so much I wanted to experience in human form.
Regaining Consciousness
When I "came back," I knew immediately that the cancer was gone. We really are that powerful as creators of our own reality. The doctors had a hard time with this one. They took test after test for the next few days, completely dumbfounded that I had no signs of cancer in my body. None. They kept me in the hospital for about a week, but I was ready to go home right after I woke up. I knew I was okay. I knew I would always be okay. There is no death. We simply step into the next form of life. Dying is like falling asleep and waking up in a dream.
Shaping My View on Life and Death
This experience profoundly changed my view of life and death:
I KNOW there is no death. It simply doesn't exist in the ways humans think and are taught to believe.
We change form but are even more alive than we are here on this planet. The afterlife is not an end but a transition to a different, vibrant existence.
We are here on earth to create, feel as much joy as we can, and live the life we truly desire. This life is an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and experience your humanness to the fullest. Even though there will always be challenges—because without them, we would simply perish—those difficult moments can be turned into something beautiful, something golden. It's through these trials that we find the greatest opportunities for growth and transformation.
Aftermath and Challenges
The aftermath was not easy. I had to rebuild my life from scratch, both physically and emotionally. The trauma was immense, but it also sparked a journey of healing and transformation. It wasn’t just about recovering from the physical injuries; it was about healing my soul.
Sharing My Story
For a long time, I hesitated to share my story. Who would want to hear about my near-death experience and the domestic violence I endured? Back in the 90s, these topics were almost taboo. But I’ve learned that our stories have power. They connect and heal us; sometimes, they’re just what someone else needs to hear.
Moments of Transformation
One of the most significant moments of transformation was realizing that my story could help others. It wasn’t just about me; it was about offering hope and support to anyone going through similar struggles. That realization gave me the courage to speak out and share my journey.
What You’ll Find Here
Died but still here: Expect candid stories about my near-death experience, filled with all the drama, fear, and ultimately, the humor I’ve found in reflecting on it.
Zen for Real Life: I’ll share practical, often funny insights on meditation and mindfulness. Finding your zen doesn’t have to be serious business.
Life Lessons: From the mundane to the profound, let’s navigate life together with a smile and maybe a snort-laugh or two.
Survivor Stories: Sharing my journey of overcoming domestic violence to offer hope and support.
Why You’ll Love It Here
Inspiration with a Twist. I blend inspirational wisdom with a hearty dose of humor. Because let’s face it, life with all of its twists and turns should still be fun!
Personal Stories: Raw, real, and occasionally ridiculous tales from my life. They’re not just about me – they’re about all of us finding common ground and growing together.
Support & Community: This is a safe space for sharing, learning, and supporting each other. We’re all on our own unique paths, but we’re walking them together.
Practical Tips: From meditation hacks to mindfulness tricks to occasional parenting advice, you’ll find actionable advice to make your life a little easier and a lot more joyful.
Writing My Memoir
Oh, and did I mention? I’m in the process of writing a book about my experiences with domestic violence and my near-death experience. It’s a labor of love, filled with raw, real, and sometimes humorous reflections on healing and finding strength. I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of that journey here too.
Exclusive Content for Paid Subscribers
For those of you who want to dive deeper and support my work, I’m offering some exclusive content for paid subscribers:
In-Depth Stories: Access to detailed, behind-the-scenes stories about my journey, including chapters from my upcoming memoir before they’re published.
Post comments and join the community.
Founding Member Subscribers
For those who want to go above and beyond in supporting my work, I offer additional perks for founding members:
All Regular Paid Subscriber Benefits: Access everything regular paid subscribers get, plus more.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: Get a peek behind the curtain with videos and posts about my writing process, daily life, and how I create my content.
Direct Input on Content: Help shape the content of future posts, articles, and even chapters of my memoir by providing feedback and suggestions.
VIP Event Invitations: Get exclusive invites to virtual and, when possible, in-person events and workshops.
Signed Book Copy: When my memoir is published, receive a signed copy as a token of my gratitude for your support.
Join the Journey
Life is a beautiful, messy adventure, and I’m here to remind you that we’re here to enjoy it – whatever that looks like for each of us. So, if you’re ready to laugh, cry, and grow, hit that subscribe button and join me on this wild ride of self-discovery.
Let’s embrace our stories, celebrate our victories, and support each other through the tough times. We’re all in this together, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Subscribe now, and let’s make the most of this wild, wonderful ride together!
Love always,
