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Terms of Service
Welcome to How the Fuck Did I Get Here? By subscribing to this publication, you agree to these terms.
What This Publication Is
How the Fuck Did I Get Here? (HTFDIGH) is a memoir-in-progress exploring personal trauma, healing, and integration. The content is raw, honest, and sometimes intense. It deals with postpartum depression, childhood trauma, military service, complex family dynamics, and ongoing healing work.
This is not therapy, medical advice, or professional counseling. It’s one person’s documented excavation of their own experience.
Content Warnings and Reader Responsibility
This publication discusses:
Postpartum depression and suicidal ideation
Childhood trauma and abuse
Narcissistic relationships and gaslighting
Military service and PTSD
Complex family dynamics and generational trauma
By subscribing, you acknowledge:
You understand the nature of this content
You’re taking responsibility for your own wellbeing
You’ll step away if the material becomes too heavy
You won’t hold the author liable for emotional responses to the content
If you need professional support, please contact a licensed therapist or counselor.
Subscription Terms
Free Subscriptions:
Access to select essays and new chapters for two weeks
Can be cancelled anytime
No refunds applicable (free service)
Paid Subscriptions:
Full access to all content, archives, and new chapters
Monthly subscriptions ($7/month): Cancel anytime, no refunds for partial months
Annual subscriptions ($70/year): Cancel anytime, refunds on a case-by-case basis within 7 days of initial purchase
Auto-renewal unless cancelled before renewal date
You’re responsible for managing your subscription and cancelling if needed
Integration Circle (Founding Members) ($200/year):
All paid benefits plus exclusive access to monthly real talk threads, priority Chez Serendip access, and open-door policy
Auto-renewal unless cancelled
Refunds on a case-by-case basis within 7 days of initial purchase
Additional benefits subject to change but will always include full archives and all new content
Payment and Refunds
Payments:
Processed securely through Substack’s payment system
You’re responsible for keeping payment information current
Failed payments may result in subscription suspension
Refunds:
Monthly subscriptions: No refunds (you can cancel anytime)
Annual subscriptions and Integration Circle: Refunds considered within 7 days of initial purchase on a case-by-case basis
Contact me for refund requests
After 7 days, no refunds, but you can cancel to prevent future charges
User Conduct and Community Guidelines
In comments, chat, and all community spaces:
Expected behavior:
Engage respectfully, even in disagreement
Share your own experience without prescribing to others
Respect boundaries and privacy
Hold space for complexity and contradiction
Prohibited behavior:
Harassment, abuse, or threats toward any community member
Unsolicited advice, especially regarding trauma or mental health
Sharing others’ personal information without consent
Spam, promotional content, or off-topic material
Hate speech, discrimination, or content that targets protected groups
Consequences:
First violation: Warning
Second violation: Temporary suspension from comments/chat
Third violation or severe violation: Permanent ban with no refund
The author reserves the right to remove comments, ban users, and make final determinations about community standards.
Content Ownership and Usage
Copyright:
All content on HTFDIGH is owned by Alisa Sieber
Content is protected by copyright law
You may not reproduce, distribute, or republish content without explicit written permission
What you CAN do:
Read and engage with content personally
Share links to posts via Substack’s share features
Quote brief excerpts (1-2 sentences) with proper attribution and link back
Discuss the work in other spaces with attribution
What you CANNOT do:
Copy entire essays or substantial portions
Republish content on other platforms
Use content for commercial purposes
Create derivative works without permission
Share paywalled content with non-subscribers
Exception: Subscribers may print content for personal, non-commercial use only.
Privacy and Data
What we collect:
Email address (required for subscription)
Payment information (processed securely by Substack)
Optional survey responses
Engagement data (what you read, comment on, etc.)
How we use it:
To deliver newsletter content
To process payments
To improve the publication
To understand what resonates with readers
What we don’t do:
Sell your information to third parties
Share your email without consent
Use your data for purposes beyond this publication
For more details, see Substack’s Privacy Policy, which governs data handling on this platform.
Gift Subscriptions and Referrals
Gift Subscriptions:
Paid subscribers can gift temporary access to friends
Gift recipients get limited-time full access
No payment required from gift recipient
Gift access automatically converts to free subscription when expired
Referral Program:
Earn comp months by referring subscribers
Referral rewards are granted at author’s discretion
Abuse of referral system may result in forfeiture of rewards
Comp months are non-transferable
Disclaimer of Warranties
This publication is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind.
The author does not guarantee:
Publishing frequency or schedule
Specific content or topics
Therapeutic outcomes or healing
That the content will meet your needs or expectations
The author is not liable for:
Emotional responses to content
Decisions made based on reading this work
Any damages arising from use of this publication
Technical issues with Substack’s platform
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Alisa Sieber and HTFDIGH shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of this publication.
This includes but is not limited to emotional distress, triggered trauma responses, or decisions made based on content.
Maximum liability is limited to the amount you paid for your subscription.
Changes to Content, Format, or Terms
The author reserves the right to:
Change publication frequency, format, or focus
Modify subscription prices (with notice for existing subscribers)
Update these terms of service (changes effective upon posting)
Discontinue the publication at any time
If substantial changes occur:
Existing subscribers will be notified
You may cancel if you disagree with changes
Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
Cancellation and Termination
You can cancel:
Anytime through your Substack account settings
You’ll retain access through the end of your billing period
No refunds for partial periods (except as noted above)
The author can terminate:
Your access for violation of these terms
Any subscription at author’s discretion (with refund of unused portion)
The entire publication (with notice to subscribers)
Dispute Resolution
If issues arise:
Contact the author directly at [your email]
Most issues can be resolved through communication
Good faith efforts will be made to address concerns
If disputes cannot be resolved:
Governed by the laws of California, United States
Any legal action must be brought in the courts of Monterey County, California
You agree to binding arbitration for disputes over $500
Severability
If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.
Contact Information
Questions about these terms?
Email: [your contact email]
Issues with your subscription or payment?
Manage your subscription through your Substack account or contact Substack support.
Acknowledgment
By subscribing to How the Fuck Did I Get Here?, you acknowledge that:
You’ve read and understood these terms
You agree to abide by them
You understand this is personal memoir, not professional advice
You’re responsible for your own wellbeing while engaging with this content
Thank you for being here. Take care of yourself first.
Effective Date: 10/28/2025
Last Updated: 10/28/2025