First came our stay-at-home orders. They went into effect in mid-March, right at the part of Lent when my forty-day practice felt less Draw-closer-to-Jesus and more Oh-no-I-forgot-to-practice-Lent! Our entire state was asked to give up friendships, gatherings, church and school, as well as all markers of normalcy. Lent was put into real-life practice and felt […]
Sisters In Mental Illness: When You Lose A Parent (featuring Olive Chan)
by on April 16, 2020 Leave a Comment
Trigger warning: Mention of postpartum depression and loss of a loved one. “Watching my dad die was sacred but it was traumatic. The process was so quick and it was traumatic. Having people who care about me sit and listen to the whole story and weep with me; that was so healing. They loved me […]
She Is Enough, She is Perfect
by on November 17, 2019 Leave a Comment
Trigger Warning: Mention of sexual assault and suicidal ideation *** I was born needing to be fixed. They didn’t have the fancy ultrasounds forty-some years ago, so I came out bloody and ready to breathe life into the world—except I could barely breathe. I was born disfigured; my lip was attached to the bottom of […]
Sisters in Mental Illness: Healing Trauma Through Self Love
by on October 21, 2019 Leave a Comment
“Radical self love and radical self compassion is really one of the key ways to heal yourself from trauma. You have to release yourself. You have to choose yourself.” —Grace Sandra. This month, Shaley sits down with award-winning blogger and author Grace Sandra. Grace has experienced postpartum depression, divorce and remarriage, childhood abuse, rape, miscarriages, […]
Sisters in Mental Illness: Shaley Hoogendoorn Talks to Jessica Birak of Mint & Birch
by on June 26, 2019 Leave a Comment
[ Trigger Warning: Mention of abuse, as well as an eating disorder.] This month, Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to Jessica Birak, founder of the jewelry company Mint & Birch, who is also a vulnerable and honest advocate for mental health. They talk about topics related to anxiety, depression, postpartum, hypochondria, eating disorders and healing from childhood […]
