16. Healing from identity loss and anxiety through writing

Discussing or even acknowledging our struggles can feel like a taboo topic for many, especially people who feel the pressure of being the perfect parent for their children. Taking care of little ones requires a lot of energy, and there’s not always enough left over for yourself. Throw in feelings of shame and embarrassment, plus a lack of knowledge and support, and you have a well-shaken coke bottle ready to explode.

On today’s episode, Erin gets personal and shares her experience with anxiety and loss of identity and ways these struggles have manifested in her life as a parent. She also talks about the effects of her childhood, the need for support, and self-awareness being the first step to change.

As writers, we can use our love of writing to heal and find a way back to ourselves. Similar to when a child has a tantrum after a long day filled with big emotions, adults also get easily overwhelmed and don’t always recognize or understand their feelings and actions. Writing can help us identify our patterns and triggers, making it easier to manage our mental health.

Stories, whether in a book or shared between friends, are a powerful tool that have the ability to connect us. They can create understanding, relieve loneliness, and build empathy toward ourselves and others. In sharing her own story on this episode, Erin hopes she can help anyone else struggling and bring awareness to an underrepresented issue.

Listen to this episode for an intimate conversation on parenting, mental health, and solutions.

 Topics discussed in this episode:

• Hidden signs of anxiety and how it showed up in Erin’s life
• How her ADHD exacerbated her anxiety
• Lacking support and prioritization skills
• Why self-awareness is key
• Embarrassment and shame surrounding struggling parents
• How writing can help reduce anxiety and aid healing
• Writing and changing your perspective
• Mind dumps to release mental exhaustion and thought traps
• Writing prompts for anxiety and depression
• Writing your hero’s journey
• Writing prompts for exploring your identity beyond being a parent

Resources discussed in this episode: 

• Calm the Chaos community by Dana Abraham: https://www.facebook.com/people/Calm-the-Chaos-Parenting-by-Lemon-Lime-Adventures/100064305355198/

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