Seasons of Healing

Why Family Meetings Have Been a Lifesaver for Me and My Kids I’ve learned over the years that one of the best ways to keep my family connected is by holding regular family meetings . Now, before you picture a big conference table and a long agenda, let me tell you—it’s nothing like that. For us, family meetings are usually just gathering in the living room or around the kitchen table. I call a meeting when I know something big is coming up—like a move, a new job, or even something fun like a vacation. Sometimes it’s just because chores aren’t getting done and I’d rather talk about it all together instead of repeating myself ten times. But honestly, I leaned on family meetings the most when I was going through my divorce. That was such a hard season for all of us. I didn’t want my kids to feel like they were in the dark or that their voices didn’t matter. So, we sat down together more often, and I made sure each of them got the chance to talk and share how they were feeling—with no judg...

  I Hear You Some days, the world feels too heavy. You get up, go through the motions, and still feel like you’re carrying something no one else can see. Maybe it’s worry. Maybe it’s grief. Maybe it’s the quiet ache of not feeling understood. If that’s you today—I hear you. " You don’t have to explain it all or have the, right words. ”  The fact that you’re breathing and moving forward, even while it feels impossible, is already proof of your strength. I want you to know something important: you are not alone in this. Even if no one around you understands the depth of what you’re going through, you are still worthy of peace, love, and rest. It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. What matters is that you’re still here—and that matters more than you realize. So if you need permission to stop being so hard on yourself, here it is. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to heal slowly. And you’re allowed to still hope for brighter days. You are s...

                      New Story Coming Soon: Until I Wake I’m so excited to finally share something I’ve been quietly working on—my brand-new novel, Until I Wake . This story has been living in my mind and heart for months, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. At its core, Until I Wake is a psychological thriller with a hauntingly emotional twist . It follows the story of Ava , a woman trapped between reality and illusion. When she wakes up in a version of her life where everything she built with her perfect someone is gone, she’s forced to confront strange and terrifying events that make her question her own sanity. From ghostly whispers in the night to unsettling encounters that defy explanation, the tension builds with every chapter. But underneath the suspense lies something deeper—a journey through love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. What I love most about this book is that it plays with per...

  The Connection Between Mental Health and Physical Health — And Why You Can’t Ignore It Most people are in denial that their overall body health and the health of their mind are indeed connected. To me, a quiet small-town girl with a passion to heal those around her, it seems very obvious that the two need each other to thrive. I’m not a doctor, but I feel I have done enough of my own research and studying to be one by now! I have observed, I have listened, and I have tested the theories out on myself over the past 36 years. It’s common sense (or at least it should be) that when we feel upset all the time, are stressing about random things that don’t matter, and big things that do… our bodies are not happy. Then, when our body isn’t happy, we feel ill. Our immune system gets lazy, it’s no longer able to stand up to those pesky germs, and before you know it — we’re sicker than a dog! The Science Backs It Up Here’s what research says (for those who like receipts): Chronic s...

 Wake Up: Reclaiming Health, Land, and Freedom in a Manufactured World     Are you tired of feeling like the system is working against you? You’re not alone. More and more people are waking up to the reality that much of our healthcare, food, and economic systems are designed to keep us dependent—sick, stressed, and broke. This post explores how the system maintains control, and how you can reclaim your health, land, and freedom. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. The Sick Care Industry: 🤕🤒 Modern medicine often prioritizes treating symptoms rather than healing the root cause. Pharmaceuticals are prescribed for everything, but they frequently come with side effects that require even more medication. True healing—through food, rest, movement, and emotional work—is rarely encouraged. 2. Poison in Our Food Supply: 🤢☣️ Conventional farming relies on chemical pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Organic...

Why I Stopped Explaining My Pain (And Started Healing in Nature) By SL Bradley There comes a point where explaining your pain feels more exhausting than the pain itself. I used to feel like I had to justify my emotions. I’d pour out every detail, hoping someone would finally say, “I get it.” But most people didn’t. They couldn’t. And over time, I realized their inability to understand wasn’t mine to fix. So I stopped explaining. And I started healing. The Silence That Saved Me When I let go of needing to be understood, I found something else waiting: peace. I started walking in the garden more. Not just for the plants—but for the **stillness**. The kind of stillness that holds space without judgment. The breeze didn’t need an explanation. The rain didn’t ask for a backstory. Nature simply let me *be*—and that changed everything. The Garden Became My Reset Button In those quiet moments, something began to shift. I wasn’t running from the pain—I was finally **sitting with it**, without p...

 Let me tell you a story… It all started with a wagon full of grass clippings. I had mowed the yard and tossed the clippings in there with every intention of dumping them in my compost pile. But, like most of my well-meaning intentions, I got busy... and forgot. Then it rained. Then I forgot again. Next thing I know, I walk past the wagon and catch a whiff of what can only be described as fermented cow manure meets lawn smoothie . 🤢 And in that exact moment, I had a lightbulb moment:💡💡💡💡 “Wait... is this gross liquid actually good for the garden?” 🧏🏼‍♀️ Turns out? It kind of was. From Forgotten Funk to Fertilizer Gold That smelly wagon stew was actually a form of accidental compost tea . And while I wouldn't recommend dumping it straight onto delicate plants (trust me, it needs to be diluted), it was rich in nutrients—and I used it on my compost pile and around some tougher plants. Lazy win #1. But here’s where things really took off. 🌾 Straw = Not My Best Friend ...

 “What if laughter could grow like flowers? What if bugs could teach kids about big emotions, confidence, and kindness—right from the soil up? That’s the heartbeat behind Giggles in the Garden , and we’re just getting started.” What Is Giggles in the Garden ? A new YouTube channel for kids and parents Combines funny animal clips + emotional lessons + nature-based characters Created with healing, learning, and laughter in mind Gentle, safe, and soul-nurturing—especially for kids who’ve experienced hard things What You Can Expect: Weekly videos featuring characters like Doug the Slug and Bree the Bee Educational AND emotional tools—without kids realizing they’re learning Free and affordable printables (coloring pages, activity sheets) Garden stories that build self-worth, mindfulness, and joy A healing space for parents, too—because your heart matters  Why We Created It: Because your child deserves tools to feel empowered Because healing d...

 Hello friends, Today, I’m sitting in my garden house, sorting seeds and sorting through memories. 🌱✨ In the very first episode of Rooted on YouTube, I’m opening up about childhood trauma—what it is, how it shapes us, and how we can begin to heal. For a long time, I didn’t even realize I was carrying the weight of childhood trauma. It showed up in ways I never expected: the people-pleasing, the anxiety, the feeling like I always had to prove my worth. Maybe you’ve felt those patterns too. Here’s what I shared in the video: ✅ How to Know If You Have Childhood Trauma Feeling unworthy or ashamed for no reason Struggling with boundaries Toxic relationship patterns Anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms like chronic pain Feeling disconnected from your emotions ✅ Ways to Cope and Heal Acknowledge your pain without judgment Use grounding practices like gardening or time in nature Start therapy or talk to safe, supportive people Reparent yourself—give...

💜“What Type of Trauma Are You Holding On To?” (Free Quiz Inside) Trauma doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it whispers—through anxiety, chronic pain, broken relationships, or the feeling that something is just… off. If you’ve ever said,  “I don’t even know what’s wrong with me,” —you’re not alone. Many people carry emotional wounds from childhood, betrayal, loss, or abuse—but they don’t know how to name it. And if we can’t name it, how can we ever hope to heal? That’s why I created this series of gentle self-discovery quizzes—to help you pinpoint what kind of trauma may be holding you back, and where your healing journey can begin. ✨ What You’ll Find Inside: These short, printable questionnaires are designed to guide you with yes/no and multiple-choice style reflections—easy enough for anyone to complete but powerful enough to spark real insight. They cover: Childhood Emotional Neglect Betrayal and Trust Trauma Relationship & Attachment Trauma Survival Mode & Hyper-Independ...

I have something vulnerable and powerful to share: my newest book,  Rooted: Finding Real Love in a Fake World , is officially complete and waiting to be released. This book has been living in my heart for years. It’s not just pages and chapters—it’s pieces of me. It’s everything I’ve learned about heartbreak, healing, over-explaining, people-pleasing, trauma, red flags, and finally—real love. In a world where filters, ghosting, and hookup culture are normalized,  Rooted  is a call back to  what’s real . It’s for the ones who have been told they’re “too sensitive” or “too much,” and have wondered if lasting love even exists anymore. It’s not a dating guide. It’s not another list of dos and don’ts. It’s an invitation. ✨ An invitation to heal. ✨ To reflect. ✨ To reclaim your standards. ✨ To prepare for love that doesn’t require shrinking yourself. Each chapter includes real talk, reflection prompts, and journal exercises—because this isn’t a book you just read. It’s a j...

There was a time in my life when I felt invisible.      Like I was screaming into the world, but no one heard me. I spent years hiding pieces of myself just to keep the peace. But slowly, through healing, journaling, and lots of growing pains—I began to reclaim those pieces. And that’s why I started writing stories again. Not just any stories— stories that feel like medicine for the soul.  Stories that remind people they're not broken. That beauty still blooms after the storm. That you can lose everything you thought you needed and still become someone stronger, softer, and more whole. My Etsy shop was born from that healing. I wanted a place where someone could stumble upon a digital download and feel like the universe left them a love note.                                     My Newest Short Story I just added a new piece called  "The Girl Who Grew Through Winter" . It’s ...

 HELLO!!! I hope the day is finding you well, As a mom, skills trainer, and children’s book author, I’ve seen firsthand how much our kids are navigating emotionally—often without the tools they need to express or manage those feelings. That’s why I’m combining my two passions—creative storytelling and mental health education—into something I believe could really make a difference: a brand-new children’s book series paired with a life skills curriculum. Why This Series Matters In today’s world, kids are dealing with big feelings, peer pressure, anxiety, and more—all while trying to learn math and spelling. But what about the life skills that help them cope, communicate, and grow confident in who they are? That’s where this new series comes in. My upcoming books are designed to do more than entertain—they’ll teach kids how to navigate their emotions, build self-esteem, express themselves, and handle real-life challenges, all in a way that’s gentle, engaging, and age-appropriate. ...

                   THE SLEEPY GARDEN.... There’s something sacred about the garden before it wakes up. This evening, under the soft light of golden hour, I walked through the bare bones of what will soon become my sanctuary. My garden is still asleep, resting beneath the earth after a long winter. But I can feel it—change is whispering just beneath the soil. I paused where my garden house will one day stand, imagining the little kitchen, the tucked-away books, the soft sounds of classical music drifting out the open window. I imagined herbs drying in the sunlight and laughter around the little fire pit nearby. Today I took a photo of this place in its  before —the space that holds hope. The space that’s waiting to be filled. It’s not fancy right now. It’s raw, and quiet, and honest. But so am I. From Winter’s Stillness to Spring’s Awakening Winter is not the absence of growth—it’s the  preparation  for it. It’s where ...

  Nurturing Young Minds: Coping with Emotions Through Creative Expression In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to help our little ones understand and express their emotions. I’m excited to share insights from my children’s book, which gently introduces topics like anxiety, depression, and anger, and offers creative ways for kids to manage these feelings. In this post, I’ll talk about some common mental health challenges kids face and offer practical solutions—plus, I’m thrilled to announce a FREE PDF with coloring pages designed to encourage mindfulness and calm. Why Talking About Mental Health Matters for Kids Children experience a wide range of emotions, and often, they don’t have the words or tools to express what they’re feeling. By discussing mental health in a kid-friendly way, we empower them to understand their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies. Emotional Literacy: Learning to identify and name their feelings is the first step toward mana...

Hello, my beloved friends,  I’m currently working on a new book—one that takes a fresh twist on the thriller genre. The Echoes of Tomorrow is a story filled with high stakes, psychological tension, and a dark mystery waiting to unfold. This novel is different from my previous works, diving deep into themes of corruption, revenge, and the thin line between justice and madness. There’s something electrifying about writing a thriller—the tension, the mystery, the slow unraveling of secrets. Unlike other genres, thrillers demand a constant push-and-pull between giving readers just enough information to keep them hooked while holding back enough to maintain suspense. As I dive into my latest project, The Echoes of Tomorrow , I’ve been reflecting on what it takes to craft a truly compelling thriller. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at my process and the key elements I focus on while bringing this story to life. 1. The Power of the Hook A great thriller starts with an unforgettable hook....

Fantasy Book Lovers!!! Are you searching for your next fantasy obsession? A book that whisks you away to a world of magic, danger, and unforgettable characters? If you love stories filled with dark secrets, powerful supernatural beings, and heart-pounding twists, then you’re in for a treat. Let me introduce you to Mystical Bounty —a spellbinding fantasy novel that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Why You’ll Love Mystical Bounty 🌙 A Dark and Enchanting World – Step into a realm where werewolves and succubi walk a fine line between power and survival. The world-building in Mystical Bounty is rich with lore, history, and a touch of mystery that will keep you hooked. 🔥 Characters You Can’t Forget – Meet a heroine who is strong, flawed, and navigating the complexities of her identity. If you love protagonists who aren’t afraid to challenge fate, this book is for you. ⚔️ Action, Romance, and Twists – With high-stakes battles, sizzling chemistry, and shocking revelat...

  Every story begins with a spark. For me, that spark was deeply personal— The Dawning was born from my real relationship with my mother, a bond marked by confusion and heartbreak. Writing it became a path toward understanding, healing, and finding hope through pain. It was my first published book, but more importantly, it was my heart on the page. From that raw beginning, my journey as a storyteller continued to grow, leading me to new books, new dreams, and a vision that I long to share with you. From The Dawning to Mystical Bounty While The Dawning came from a personal place of loss and discovery, Mystical Bounty takes my storytelling into realms of fantasy and adventure. In this world of werewolves and succubi, I explore power, passion, and the fight for identity. It’s a story of transformation, reflecting my own growth as a writer and a person. The Adventures of Skylan and Mary-Jean: Stories for the Heart In contrast to the complexity of fantasy, my children's series, The ...

       From a young age, storytelling has been a deep passion of mine. I loved getting lost in a good book, drifting off into another world created by words and imagination. As an only child, I spent countless hours entertaining myself, allowing my creativity to run wild. Although I have siblings, we didn’t grow up together, which left me alone with my thoughts and vivid imagination. When I was 13 years old, my love for writing blossomed through poetry. I was so passionate that I submitted some of my poems for publication. To this day, I can’t recall exactly where they were published, but I do remember proudly receiving a certificate confirming that my poem had made it into print. By the time I was 15, I had started writing my very first book, titled Sweet Sixteen Bites , a romance between a human and a vampire. Although that premise has since become quite common, back then, it felt fresh and exciting. I spent hours typing on my dad’s computer, printing out chapter a...