Your experiences matter.
I met Alyce through email. She had been following my journey on Instagram and I had posted asking for people to share their story and speak up about health. I had many come forward with stories of weight loss, but I also had the chance to learn of stories of mental health. I remember sitting… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series, Part 2: Post 5 “Our Life After You”
In losing weight, no one tells you about the struggles you might feel or go through during the process. They insinuate that it’s perfect and great! You instantly feel better! While part of this is true: my confidence increased, I was able to come out of my shell a bit, I focused less on what people thought of me, it also became some of the most trying times.
I spend a lot of time thinking about what it is that I want my legacy to be. Maybe it is the teacher part of me that is constantly trying to create lasting lessons in my students while fostering the desire to become lifelong learners, or maybe being a mother has helped me to… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series, Part 2: Post 3 “Imperfect is Perfect”
Renee is a client of mine. We started working together this past spring. When she came to me, she wanted to lose weight, but it was clear that we couldn't focus on numbers. She had been on her journey for a long time without a break. Mentally, it's exhausting and it can wear you down… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series, Part 2: Post 2 “Redefining Happiness”
"I almost feel like I lost a part of myself."
So, if I was to write a letter to you – to all the peopleout there who feel burdened with grief, who feel less than, who are struggling to stay afloat and navigate the harsh waters of their reality, I would start with Dear Loved One.
I've talked about Alicia before. She's younger than me. She's a junior in college and I'm 27. Without social media our paths would have never crossed. Without peanut butter we would've never started talking. Without talking we would've never seen past the social media posts and learned that we are more alike than we could've… Continue reading Life of A Fit College Student Series: “It’s Your Turn Traditional Dozen – Mental Health and School Work”
This is Ahmad. He encouraged me to start this series. Yes, I am working through my own anxiety, my own PTSD, and I have no issue talking about it. But, there's a but. But what about those who don't share their stories. They don't have an outlet to do so. They don't think someone will… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series: Post 11 “Life in My Days: 22 Years of Mental Illness and Counting”
There have been quite a few who have reached out to share their stories and how mental health has impacted them, their families and what they believe to be their ability to be a mother. We know that events trigger us to develop these disorders we've been talking about in this series, but I don't… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series: Post 10 “A Fight Worth Fighting”
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I'm sure there's a third cause out there that was also supposed to be highlighted and educate the public. I will not downplay that both of these causes are important. 1 in 8 women are impacted by breast cancer. 1 in 3… Continue reading It’s Your Turn Series: Post 9 “Scarlet Letter”