WOMAN, DETERMINED
Creative Works & Advocacy
Category: Self Empowerment
Why I’m More Likely to Believe Amber
I see many women taking pleasure in bashing Amber Heard and praising Johnny Depp without understanding there is an emotional + psychological tactic in domestic and intimate partner abuse that is literally called “crazy making,” wherein the abuser convinces the victim and select outsiders,… Continue Reading “Why I’m More Likely to Believe Amber”
What’s Not Okay
It’s okay if you don’t know what you’re doing. What’s not okay is anyone in your support system making you feel bad about it. It’s okay if others want to help you. What’s not okay is for them to take control the way your… Continue Reading “What’s Not Okay”
Death: Why My Life Started Over
My sweet dad took his last breath on this day twelve years ago. I was in the room when it happened. In fact, I was the one who realized he wasn’t breathing anymore. Hospice warns you, you know. They’ve gotten really good at estimating… Continue Reading “Death: Why My Life Started Over”
Life in the Trenches
A reframe Sometimes, to victims learning how to survive, it feels like life is stuck “in the trenches.” We use the idiom when we’re feeling beaten down, challenged, heartbroken, threatened, damaged. When we’ve forgotten our hope. Merriam-Webster defines the phrase as “a place or… Continue Reading “Life in the Trenches”
Financial & Post-Separation Abuse
Do you want to talk about financial abuse? Because we should. Financial abuse is a component of domestic abuse 99% of the time. (Source: National Network to End Domestic Violence) It happens when your abuser hides money, spends freely on their wants and needs… Continue Reading “Financial & Post-Separation Abuse”
Your Abuser’s Trauma is No Excuse
Okay, so your abuser had a traumatic childhood. Something life-changing, perhaps horrifying, happened to them. The stuff nightmares are made of. It was out of their control. Or maybe they were, for example, raised by a detached, materialistic father and callous, dismissive mother, so… Continue Reading “Your Abuser’s Trauma is No Excuse”
Politics and Religion and Abuse Toward Women
I used to belong to a conservative Christian church. I wasn’t raised in it, or in any church. In fact I was always thankful my parents never forced religion on me. That opened me to visiting different, diverse denominations with my friends over the… Continue Reading “Politics and Religion and Abuse Toward Women”
What to Say to Yourself
Because your abuser never did Things your abuser should have said to you, and meant with every fiber, include: * You’re beautiful. * Thank you for everything you do. * How can I help you today? * You’re talented. * I love your eyes/hair/caboose/brain/fashion… Continue Reading “What to Say to Yourself”
No Formal Education Needed to Survive and Thrive
I don’t have any degrees. I’ve no formal education. Oh, I had a plan for college. Took some early classes that didn’t go anywhere. Dreamed of this career or that and had a fuzzy view of the future for myself but then, simply put,… Continue Reading “No Formal Education Needed to Survive and Thrive”
I Will If You Will
You. Woman with so much on your plate, I see you. Because while your journey may not run parallel to mine, I know how heavy the burden gets. We are …running a household, maybe with a helpful partner, maybe without one at all. Either… Continue Reading “I Will If You Will”
WOMAN, DETERMINED 