My Stories
My blog, essays and articles feature stories on healing from trauma, coping with disorder and practicing mindfulness
What to Do When You Can’t Take a Mental Health Day
It was a Friday. I was exhausted from the week and my daughter woke up ready for the day at 4. Luckily my husband took over at 6, but I crashed hard, missing our morning plans. Which made me feel depressed. And then I still had to be a mom. It’s been a struggle as a new parent to not be able to take a mental health day. A day off. A day to attend to only my needs. But [...]
What to Do When You Can’t Take a Mental Health Day
It was a Friday. I was exhausted from the week and my daughter woke up ready for the day at 4. Luckily my husband took over at 6, but I crashed hard, missing our morning plans. Which made me feel [...]
New Year Self-care Goals: Devise a Plan
With the new year, it’s a good time to assess your self-care needs. To take inventory. And to see what you are (and aren’t) doing for yourself. I went back to work after a break over the holidays, and my [...]
Bringing Joy Back to Christmas (Plus 6 Tips)
Our daughter is 11 months old, and this will be her first Christmas. Considering I haven’t really celebrated Christmas since I uncovered my repressed trauma in 2018, everything feels new for me. And I’m feeling the joy of Christmas once [...]
Taking Mental Health Breaks Over the Holidays (Plus 12 Tips)
Oh, the holidays. How I love them and feel overwhelmed by them all at the same time. And I’m sure I’m not alone. I often feel like the build up to the holidays is more fun than the actual holiday [...]
5 Tips for Using Tarot to Help Guide Your Intuition
Tarot has helped me follow my intuition for years. Sometimes it’s a decision that affects my day, like where I should and shouldn’t go, but other times, tarot has helped me when I’m dealing with more important life issues, like [...]
Trauma and Relationships: Taking Accountability for Our Actions (and Our Words) Plus 7 Steps
If you’ve ever suffered trauma, it can be easy to fall into the victim role in relationships. Always feeling like it’s someone else’s fault for the reasons we are suffering. Which makes it difficult to take accountability for our actions [...]
PTSD and Trauma: Feeling Violated (+8 Tips and a Recipe)
Right after it happened, I was in complete shock. I was angry. I was angry that it happened. I was angry with myself that I didn’t see it coming. That it wasn’t on my radar. But most of all, I [...]
PTSD and Trauma: The Magic of Setting (and Achieving) Goals (+10 Tips)
As a new mom, I’m finding it difficult to set and keep goals. Finding the time (and the mental capacity) to even think about my goals has been hard since having a baby, and when I have goals, meeting them [...]
Fear and Trauma: Noticing Signs of PTSD After Another Mass Shooting and 12 Tips to Help
This month’s blog is dedicated to the victims of the recent splash pad shooting in Rochester Hills, Michigan. May you heal swiftly and have the resources you need to fully recover and to feel safe. *** In the wake of [...]
CPTSD, Fight-or-flight Response, PTSD and Trauma: Practicing Meditation to Reconnect to Yourself (+8 Tips)
I’ve been practicing meditation for close to 20 years. A practice that has changed my life. A practice that I call a practice because that’s what you have to do. You have to practice. Every day. It’s a commitment. [...]
Fight-or-flight Response and PTSD: Getting Back into Your Body (+7 Tips)
Experiencing trauma at 14 caused me to spend most of my adult life in a fight-or-flight response. My body was always on edge. Ready to fight or flee. Which has resulted in my body feeling tense. Achy. Painful. And has [...]
Agoraphobia, Fear and OCD: Learning to Leave the House Again (+3 Tips)
After having a baby two months ago, I’ve been on maternity leave and have barely left the house. Getting into a routine with my baby has consumed me. Days and nights have blurred together. I’ve been lucky if I remember [...]
“Loved reading this Jenna, what a great explanation of how your OT helped you. I have taken a few tips for a client of mine I am treating at the moment! Great post. Cheers!”
JAYNE OT