Tag: mental health
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Three Last Names, One Me: Finding My Identity After Divorce(s) and Trauma
“I’m a free spirit who never had the balls to be free.”― Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail Names. They shape us, define us, and sometimes, they break us. I’ve carried three last names over the course of my life, each one representing a different chapter of who I was—or perhaps…
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The Storm They Don’t See: Parenting with Invisible Illness
This morning my kids were arguing, my heart was racing, and my body was glitching like a laptop running too many tabs. I’ve been fighting this flare up for three days now… Welcome to what I call a dysautonomic storm—when your nervous system forgets how to human. You can’t see it from the outside. There’s…
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The Price of Persistence: How I Spent My Savings Searching for Answers
After my separation, I had a modest savings account—something I hoped would give me a sense of security as I rebuilt my life. Instead, it became my lifeline…in a way. I spent nearly $20,000 trying to figure out why my health kept failing. Twenty. Thousand. Dollars. Every penny of it was spent chasing the hope…
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Cendie Stanford’s TED Talk on ACEs: A Wake-Up Call We Can’t Ignore
Cendie Stanford’s TED Talk on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) powerfully highlights the lasting impact of childhood trauma on adulthood. She emphasizes the prevalence of ACEs, the necessity for awareness, and the importance of trauma-informed care. Healing is possible through community support and understanding, advocating for change in how we discuss and address trauma.
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30 Seconds of Courage
Jessica Woodville’s memoir, “Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience,” explores the power of sharing one’s truth to combat trauma. She emphasizes how small acts of courage can lead to healing and urges others to confront their pain, highlighting the need for systemic change to support childhood trauma survivors.
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I’m Done People-Pleasing: How Trauma Trained Me to Be Everything for Everyone But Myself
For as long as I can remember, I’ve tried to be what everyone else needed me to be. The easygoing friend, the accommodating daughter, the quiet, non-confrontational one who never asked for too much. It wasn’t conscious at first—it was survival. When your nervous system is hardwired by trauma, your body learns to scan for…
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Beyond Sensationalism: Why My Story Is Bigger Than the Troubled Teen Industry
I recently had an article published about my memoir, Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience. The writer was kind, genuinely enthusiastic about my book, and I’m deeply grateful for the attention it’s receiving. But as I read through the article, I found myself pausing—because somewhere along the way, my story seemed…
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Taking the Leap: Self-Publishing Regrets and What Comes Next
Self-publishing a memoir is a leap of faith. You write your story, put it into the world, and hope it finds the people who need to hear it most. When I published Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience, I knew I couldn’t wait for permission. I had to take the leap.…
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Healing or Snake Oil? A Survivor’s Take on the Trauma Recovery Industry
I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted by the way trauma recovery is being packaged, marketed, and sold like the latest wellness trend. Healing isn’t a product. It’s not a five-step program or a color-coordinated workbook. And yet, every time I scroll through social media, I see another ad promising to “fix” trauma—just $99.99…
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PTSD and the Echoes of the Past: A Survivor’s Reflection
TW: This post discusses sexual assault, PTSD, and trauma anniversaries. If these topics are triggering for you, please take care while reading or consider skipping this post. You are not alone—if you need support, please reach out to someone you trust or check the resources at the end of this post. It has been almost…
Jessica Woodville | Memoir & Musings 