Category: Survival and Healing
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Why the ACEs Study Changed Everything: A Breakdown of the Research
Let’s talk about one of the most important yet criminally underrated studies of our time: the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Despite its groundbreaking findings, it somehow never got the same PR treatment as, say, the Kardashians. But trust me, this study has shaped everything…
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I Am My Own Authority: On Imposter Syndrome, Trauma, and Fighting for Survivors
The author reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome to share their story of trauma and resilience, despite lacking formal qualifications. They emphasize the importance of lived experience and extensive research in writing their memoir. Acknowledging the impact of their past on their children, they are committed to breaking the cycle of trauma.
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Healing, but Still Hijacked: The Nervous System’s Betrayal
Healing is a nonlinear process, marked by ongoing battles with trauma and a body conditioned by past stress responses. Despite stabilizing adrenal function, my nervous system struggles with interpreting joy as danger. I’m learning to manage this response through pacing, grounding techniques, and reframing my experience, embracing healing’s complexities.
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When Your Body Rebels Against Your Biggest Moment
The day my proof copies of my memoir arrived should have been one of the happiest days of my life. And for a moment, it was. I had felt the anticipation and excitement building for days—so much so that I could barely sleep the night before. But what I didn’t realize was that what I…
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Why Survivors Deserve More Than Just ‘Resilience’
The word resilience gets thrown around a lot when talking about trauma survivors. Society loves the idea of people who have endured unimaginable hardship and still manage to rise, stronger than before. But there’s a problem with this narrative: it glorifies survival while ignoring what it cost us to get there and honestly, it just…
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They Say ‘Write What You Know’—Unfortunately, I Know Trauma
There are moments in life when you look around and realize that everything you thought was holding you together is actually tearing you apart. For me, that moment came after leaving an unhealthy relationship and finally recognizing that not only was my living situation making me physically ill due to a chronic illness I hadn’t…
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Fighting My Mind, Body & Soul: The Truth About Writing My Memoir
Writing a memoir isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about breaking yourself open, diving into the depths of your past, and resurfacing with something coherent enough that people can read it without needing therapy themselves (though, fair warning, I make no promises).
Jessica Woodville | Memoir & Musings 