Blog: What’s the Topic?

Hey, friends! If you've been here long enough to do some scrolling, you’ll notice this blog has been hanging out in cyberspace for a while now. And I’m going to be honest with you – I have no idea what my true intentions were when I first started this blog. I’m a master of indecision and could probably win a medal in procrastination. If that could become an Olympic Sport, I would be there for it. Seriously, I can’t make a solid decision to save my life, without some sort of panic, that is. But, after a bit of a break to focus on school and life, I’ve decided there’s no better time to get back into this. If I just sit here, doing nothing, well, nothing is going to happen. But hey, at least if I’m typing some words on a screen, I’m practicing, right? And practicing = improvement. That’s what life’s about, after all.

So, let’s get real. From my biography page, you’ve probably gotten a little taste of who I am, but let me be upfront about something you won’t see there: the very long list of things I am NOT an expert at. Seriously, the list is long—things like professional blogger, marketing guru, or any sort of person with everything figured out. That’s not me. And while I want to make sure I’m putting content out there that you actually care about, I need some input from any and every one of you. After all, if I’m investing my time into this blog, I want it to be valuable for both you and me. Otherwise, what’s the point?

So what better way to find out than to ask? Right?

What Do I Even Know?

For those who don’t already know, I’m in drug and alcohol recovery. But that doesn’t mean I know everyone’s experience. What I do know is my experience: what I went through, the people I met, the stuff I did. And one thing I’ll never say is that my story is "worse" or "better" than anyone else’s—because, let’s face it, we all have our own battles. What I can tell you is that, like many others, I found my way out. And along the way, I learned a lot that I think could be helpful to share with others.

I’ve also got a bit of an educational background that, if nothing else, gives me a little street cred. I have an associate’s degree in business (or something like that… I was a bit distracted back then, okay?), and a BS in Psychology of Addictions. Oh, and I’m currently working on my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on trauma and crisis. Yeah, that’s a lot to throw at you. But what I really want you to know is that professionally, I’ve been working as a drug and alcohol therapist for a couple of years now. And while I love the work, it’s definitely a learning curve. Some days feel like my brain is fried, but I’m still here, soaking up everything I can. But it’s not always easy—my brain doesn’t work like it used to. Life can be kind of cruel that way- how rude!

Now, I don’t want to start sounding like a dating profile (don’t worry, I’m happily engaged—sorry, folks), but there’s a little more to the story.

#2025bride

A Different Kind of Struggle: My Health Kinda Sucks

I also live with chronic health conditions. Now, I feel a bit guilty even saying that because, truthfully, I’m in a much better position than many others with chronic health issues. But I can’t pretend like it’s all sunshine and rainbows either. A few years ago, my health was in a worse place, and I’ve had to lean on an amazing team of doctors to get me to where I am now. One of my conditions is rare, and I’d love to bring awareness to it—talk about how I’ve coped and grown over the years. But I’m not a doctor, so I’m a little nervous about diving into this because the last thing I want to do is spread any misinformation. That’s a whole can of worms I’m not looking to open.

But Wait, There’s More

Here’s something I’ve learned along the way: addiction and mental health are often intertwined, which is definitely the case for me. As I worked through my recovery journey, I realized that my mental health played a big part in both my struggles and my recovery. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I have extreme mental health issues, but let’s just say there are definitely some things going on up in the noggin of mine. And those things, big or small, have shaped how I think, react, and cope with life. With my educational background, I’ve learned quite a bit about various mental health topics. I would love to share some of those insights as well from anxiety, depression, PTSD, coping skills, anything! There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to any of this, but by starting these conversations, I can help to provide resources and tools to help others along the way.

So, What’s the Niche then?

Alright, so that’s me. That’s my life in a nutshell, a very small nutshell. A nutshell, nonetheless. But now, I’m curious: what do you want to hear about? I’m just the writer here, sharing what I know, but you are the ones who (hopefully) will read it. So, what are you interested in? Do you want more content that’s informational, or do you prefer something that’s more relatable, more real? Or should I keep doing a little mix of both, like I’ve been doing up until now? I’m open to suggestions, and any feedback you have will be considered and truly appreciated. Seriously, any feedback. If you honestly think I don’t have anything that great to share and you would not be interested in reading my content, tell me why! I am always looking for feedback and ways to improve.

Thanks for sticking around and hearing me out this far. I’m really excited to kickstart my “How to Live While Dying” journey again with you all. Let’s face it, no matter what we do every day, we’re all working toward the same dismal end. But while we’re alive and here, why not make the most of it? Let’s learn how to live life on the way to that inevitable destination—together!

P.S. Let me know your thoughts! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefnL-jX3TWg5BX9Tfz662haJ2pUCPS-cNlS-04-p4Q0P6Qqg/viewform?usp=dialog (Survey will end by April 4, 2025!)