Shaping Identity
Sharing my life stories from my perspective and experience with recognition that every story will have different perspectives and recollections of events per each individual involved. I can only speak to my own views, opinions, and speculations. By telling these stories, I want to share my recovery journey with complete vulnerability. It is not my goal or intention to villainize anyone, nor is it to establish “teams’’ to side with or for me to use this platform to play the role of victim. Some stories may have explicit content in relation to suicide, threats, reckless behaviors, and language. I in no way suggest the reckless actions or reactions I have had and would suggest using discretion in the interpretations of the message you may draw. These are my raw and real recollections that have played a role in one way or another in Shaping Identity. Are you ready for some vulnerability?
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Episode 12 - Medications Are More Difficult Than You'd Think
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity, I share about my experiences with medications for mental illnesses. If you've never had to take medications for an illness, you may not understand how difficult it can be to find the right dose. I didn't understand the difficult journey I would go down in finding the right medications for me. That is what this episode explores!
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Episode 11 - The Situation at Hand
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity I explain the current situation my family and I find ourselves in. Tackling hard issues while sober is quite difficult. I talk about my wish to numb all the feelings associated with the current predicament I find myself in. It's hard to know what the future holds, but my family's well-being... well... it erodes.
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Episode 10 - She's Human
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity, I share a bit about my mom's history. This episode is dedicated to trying to give voice and understanding to some of the hardest experiences my mom has faced and how it has contributed to shaping her identity. I share stories from her past that she has shared with me, and I try to come from a place of understanding when explaining some of the defining moments of her journey.
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Episode 9 - Strategy Sharing
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity - I share many, many strategies I use when feeling anxious or depressed. I'm sharing this very long, but not entirely exhaustive list in hopes that it helps others determine some strategies that may work for them. Maybe it will spark an idea or aid in recognizing some of the things you're doing as strategies. This episode is a long one, but I hope it helps someone!
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Episode 8 - It's a Rough One
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
This episode of Shaping Identity is pretty scattered. It's primarily about experiences with my mom. I share about the conflicting feelings I have in my relationship with my mother. I also discuss the difficulties of having parents battling mental illness or addictions. I was feeling a little rough and out of it- so the episode is reflective of that!
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Episode 7 - Hygiene Isn't Always Easy
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity I recount a specific time that I had a really hard time taking care of myself. I offer my experience and tips for what got me through some of those times. This is an extra vulnerable episode!
I also make a shout out to my favourite mental health Instagram account - @memesformentalhealth
I apologize in advance because when I edited this episode- I somehow made it so I'm talking super fast.
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Episode 6 - Supporters are Key
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity, I interview a guest! The guest is someone who is a personal and professional helper in their community. They were integral to my personal recovery journey but many others as well. I take this opportunity to pick their brain and ask what others can do to best support their loved ones with mental illness, addictions, or recovery!
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Episode 5 - Holidays and Core Beliefs
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
In this episode of Shaping Identity I talk about the difficulties of the holiday season, grieving the loss of someone whose lost themselves, and core beliefs. This episode does speak briefly about suicide and offers a contact number for Canadian residents who may need help.
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Episode 4 - Departing of Kelly and Summer
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
In this episode of Shaping Identity, I talked about how I pushed my best friend out of my life with my aggression and inability to express myself. Over 20 years of friendship was lost and my hope with this episode is that it will help someone else not make my mistakes.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Episode 3 - Getting Sober
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
In this episode of Shaping Identity, I share the steps I took to admitting I had a problem and what helped in those first couple of days. I will highlight what worked for me and how getting sober was the only option I had in order to start feeling better.
Message from the Host
Thank you for being on this journey of recovery with me. Sharing lived experiences are not always easy to explain, or come nice and neatly packaged. My hope is that with listening, you will offer myself and others a dose of compassion and not judge harshly the roads that have led to
Shaping Identity.
A quote I admire from the infamous Brené Brown reads,
"Hurt is hurt, and every time we honor our own struggle and the struggles of others by responding with empathy and compassion, the healing that results affects all of us."
I appreciate you listening and by doing so, supporting the realm of mental illness, addictions, and recovery.
Please note that names and places will be changed to protect the well-being and privacy of those included in the stories.