healing
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It’s been over a month since I’ve written here. A month that began with me turning 40—a milestone I’d been looking forward to with an optimism I hadn’t felt in years. I was ready to start a new decade. Ready to step into something different. And then I got sick. Not just a cold. Seriously,…
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When I started my journey toward becoming a credentialed victim advocate, I knew I’d be learning about trauma. I knew I’d be studying crisis intervention, legal systems, and support strategies. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d be learning about grief—and how much of my own grief I’d finally be able to name. The…
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A reflection on Katherine May’s “Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age” There’s a quote from Katherine May’s Enchantment that I haven’t been able to shake: “There is no one predator from which to escape; there are many. We are in the business of running now. It is all so urgent. Every year, it seems we must…
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When Mindfulness Isn’t Enough I’ll be honest with you: I’ve never been great at meditation. My longest streak on the Calm app? Sixteen days. And if I’m being really honest, I never figured out how to make my thoughts calm or how to focus on my breath for more than 45 seconds without my mind…
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Reflections on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, healing, and the work that sustains us Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day—a day to honor the resilience, sovereignty, and enduring contributions of Native peoples whose wisdom has always been here, waiting for us to listen. As I work toward becoming a victim advocate while healing from my own experiences with…
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Understanding the stages of trauma recovery can transform your healing journey from feeling lost to having a clear roadmap forward. Whether you’re healing from childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other traumatic experiences, recognizing where you are in established recovery models helps you trust the process and be patient with yourself. This post explores…
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We’ve all seen the lists. Eight habits for happiness. Ten daily practices for joy. Twelve ways to transform your life. And while there’s wisdom in these well-intentioned guides—exercise more, practice gratitude, limit social media, get enough sleep—sometimes they feel like adding one more thing to an already overwhelming to-do list. What if happiness wasn’t about…
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For a long time, I didn’t think my trauma was affecting me that much. I wasn’t having flashbacks. I wasn’t crying every day. I told myself I was functioning. But then there were the mornings I couldn’t get out of bed. Not because I was tired or lazy, but because the thought of going into…
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Introduction “I want to help others who’ve been through what I went through.” If you’ve ever said these words—or even just thought them quietly in the middle of the night—you’re not alone. Research shows that over 60% of victim advocates have personal experience with trauma, and for good reason. Who better to understand the journey…
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Matthew Haig’s “The Midnight Library” is more than just a novel—it’s a therapeutic journey wrapped in magical realism that speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt trapped by their choices, overwhelmed by regret, or struggled with depression and anxiety. As someone who has openly discussed his own mental health battles, Haig brings an authentic…