From Kids’ Book to Mental Health Advocate: Sharing My Author Journey

I’ve written it before, & here it is again: my extrovertedness might surprise you—

First because there are so many parts of my life where I still struggle to find my voice & second because, honestly, I have a few misanthropic tendencies (haha).

Why? Because so often I’ve been told I’m too much. I’ve been dismissed by the people I love. & I’ve twisted myself up trying to people please through trauma.

& yet, I continue on- making plans, having conversations, reaching out.

Now, even with all that inner… innerness, I rarely worry about “business/customer service” conversations—I know how to turn it on. I know how to show up.

So when it came time to talk about my book—my author journey—I knew I’d do well giving the simple “why”: I wrote this book for my kids.

But as I opened up, I realized I was sharing so much more—so much more of the message I wanted to put into the world.

& in sharing it. I found a space to make it heard, found audiences, & I elevated the voice I knew I had.

I jokingly just called myself the “poster child” for things I was never all that eloquent about before—(depression-parenting)

So far:

• Seven podcasts have aired
• Three have been recorded & are waiting post dates
• Three more are scheduled to record
• & three magazine/blog interviews have been published

The variety is wild & beautiful—mental health safe spaces, fellow authors, coaches, therapists, passionate humans of all kinds. 

I’ve always followed their lead, letting their questions guide the conversation in ways that feel authentic to them. Some of my answers repeated, some evolved, & some completely surprised me.

✨ The Repeat Bucket:

• Alma’s Tornado: What Success Looks Like
  
• Changing my mind about having kids
  
• Not being the “water parent”
  

✨ The Evolve Bucket:

• Having fewer cloudy days
  
• Learning to stand up for myself in more traditional spaces
  

✨ The Surprise-Me Bucket:

• The first time I was honest about family trauma
  
• Admitting I no longer speak to my brother, because it hurts & will probably always hurt, but it’s my reality

Every time I hear new questions, my mind tangents, clicks, flows…& I answer for community—for someone searching for a voice that reminds them they’re not alone.

& when the recording ends- fun fact we have to sit there for a few minutes while it uploads- & it’s just me & the host talking, I keep hearing the same thing: amazement at how strong my voice is.

Not just my ability to talk (we all know I’ve got that part down), but the way I share myself. The way I speak about something taboo as if it’s simply… human. The atmosphere I create without even trying.

The last time I heard this, I actually laughed—not because it wasn’t meaningful, but because I’d haven’t really processed it. I usually say, ‘yeah yeah thanks’ because I’m so used to seeing the moments where I fall apart, call friends, second-guess myself. But I realize through this journey, that’s not my whole story. My whole story is also in my day planner—filled with things I’ve accomplished, things I’m working toward, things I never thought I’d be brave enough to do.

& in all of that, I’m proud of myself.

So if you’re reading this—or if you’ve listened to any of the podcasts—thank you for being part of my audiences

Thank you for holding space.

Keep listening—not only to me, but to all the voices speaking up about mental health, authenticity, & the courage it takes to share our messy, real stories.

We need more of that in the world & I’m grateful to be one small voice in that conversation.