Peer Reflections
Stories of Hope, Resilience and Growth
In Peer Reflections, I share stories, experiences, and reflections from my own journey with mental health, recovery, and healing. This section is an honest, vulnerable space where I can connect with you through both the struggles and victories I’ve faced along the way. As a Peer Support Specialist and someone who has navigated mental health challenges, I understand the power of shared experience in helping others feel seen, heard, and validated.
Peer Reflections is about more than just telling my story; it’s about offering insights, tools, and emotional support to anyone on a similar path. By sharing these reflections, I hope to provide encouragement, real-life examples, and practical takeaways that might resonate with your own journey.
Through these stories, I aim to create a compassionate community where we can support each other, learn, and grow together. Whether you’re seeking validation, insight, or just a reminder that you’re not alone, Peer Reflections is here to be a part of your healing process.
Recent Posts
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My Walk with Anger
The Old Me You might not believe this, but, I was known for my temper—the smallest things used to set me off. Once, while enjoying a beach day with a friend, words were exchanged, and the tension between us escalated. Back then, I didn’t understand the power of emotions or how to calm myself down…
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One Thing At A Time
The winter storm stirs up wonders. Through snow and wind, bending and blowing, the very things that should be buried beneath layers of ice and frozen to the earth resurface. A perfect white canvas, now speckled with autumn’s remnants. Sometimes, healing feels like this. A storm blows through, uncovering things we thought we had buried.…
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Box Office Gratitude
I’m going to be a bit vulnerable today. When it comes to TV shows and movies, I tend to stick with old favorites. Even my kids can predict the general order of what I’ll choose to watch—Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Friends, New Girl, and documentaries on Earth, wildlife, Egypt, and space. It’s…
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Violet Veil
Art has always been my sanctuary, my solace, and my voice when words fail to capture the complexity of my emotions. “Violet Veil” emerged from a moment of profound reflection. The interplay of vibrant purples and reds in this image reflects the layers of emotion I was experiencing: the deep shadows of pain interwoven with…
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Love/Hate Relationship with Emotions
I continue to have a love/hate relationship with emotions. Logically, I know that emotions help us figure out our needs, and I love that. It’s something I am continually learning, as each emotion and situation has its own nuances. Emotions are complex, and I often find myself lost in them. But I’m grateful that I…
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Through The Lens: Ice & Emotions
Through the Lens: Ice and Emotions The ice on Lake Superior can do some pretty impressive things. Waves push shards onto the shore, shifting and moving them miles down the coast in a matter of days—or even hours. The ice on Lake Superior is both unstable and magnificent at the same time. With camera in…
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Gratitude Through Vulnerability
Relearning Emotions During my recovery and fight against mental illness, I had to break down my version and definition of what emotions were. They were labeled poorly—shaped by unhealthy core beliefs and the lessons imprinted on me as a young child. My understanding of emotions, molded by these flawed beliefs, was fundamentally broken. The beliefs…