The Better Living Collaborative

04/05/2026

There has been so much heaviness, tragedy, and trauma lately. So many of us are grieving, or feeling fearful, or angry, or maybe even in shock. Maybe all of the above.

But, we don't always know what to do with these kinds of feelings in the midst of a trauma or in the midst of a chaotic world. So, very often, individuals - especially those with freeze and fawn trauma responses - will just keep going about their normal routines.

If this is you, please know it's absolutely normal to do this. If this is someone you know, please don't categorize this person as someone who 'doesn't care.' You see, routine is a regulator. Routine can be, in and of itself, a nervous system regulator that signals to our body things are okay (or going to be.) Why would we want this? Because in order to respond, to cope, to eventually process the weight of what is going on around us, we have to be able to function. If your nervous system has been hijacked by the traumatic experience, that can't happen. So, when you're cleaning out a closet, or planning for the work week, or going grocery shopping, you're giving your nervous system a chance to break away from the trauma response and giving your brain critical time to think clearly, organize thoughts, and make plans.

Mental wellness is about balance: especially when living through real life situations. We've seen horrifying things recently, we've experienced both real and vicarious trauma, and many of us have felt very threatened. But, we also have the pressure of living: paying bills, taking care of our families, going to school or keeping other commitments. Life won't necessarily stop and so we must permit ourselves to do both things - process and release our emotions, and find ways to cope. Routine is one way we can cope.

04/03/2026

We are in this together!

One of the best parts of being a coach for me is that I get to collaborate with amazing individuals and see them unlock their agency, become empowered, and achieve their own unique wellness identity.

A client of mine once described our journey by saying she was walking through a forest path that had been very dark until I came along and provided the flashlight. That's it, exactly.

As your coach, I'm at your side and at your back, ready to provide you with whatever tools you need - but YOU are the leader.

I will always fully disclose my responsibilities, the ethics I'm following, and I always provide my clients with agreements up front for how the 'inside' of our coaching/client relationship works. And, I encourage questions - as many as necessary for my clients to feel seen, heard, and to achieve comfort in understanding the process. You should always - always - feel comfortable asking questions and exploring the process. It's the best way to get where YOU want to go!

If you are looking to improve your inner wellness, to learn to be 'Radically Well' (being okay even when the things around are not), unlock post-traumatic growth, use expressive arts to heal, or balance your own wellness with your role as a caregiver, leader, or advocate, I can help. With online and in-person 1:1 and group coaching programs at very affordable rates, I'm ready to collaborate with you - flashlight 🔦 in hand!

Learn more by reaching out or by visiting my website, betterlivingcollab.com.

04/02/2026

As trauma survivors, we often dismiss our rightful place.
We step back.
We stand down.
We remain quiet.

After all, there was likely a time when doing this was the best way to survive. And not only is there nothing wrong with what you did, there's nothing wrong with feeling compelled to still do it.

But, you also need to know that stepping away from the table means your voice is lost - or worse.

Knowing we are safe now means working to craft a new survival approach; the one where you step into your power. Radical wellness tools permit us to work on new programming and new responses so we can take our rightful place AT the table - not on it.
Step forward.
Stand up.
Speak out.

04/01/2026

Are you familiar with the term Relentless Optimism?

Relentless Optimism a key mindset for me. I don't know the genesis of why I have it - I didn't learn it, wasn't trained in it, and didn't even have a name for it until a few years ago when I ran into an article defining it. 🧠

Relentless Optimism is why, when things are seemingly impossible to handle and relinquishing the fight appears to be the best - and maybe only - choice, we keep going: driven by the belief the the impossible is only temporarily out of reach. 📌

Since discovering the term, I've encountered just as many critical articles about it as positive ones. Like so many other mindset ideas, this one is very vulnerable to misuse, misinterpretation, and can be leveraged in way that would do more damage than good.

But if we understand it correctly, it's an exceptionally powerful tool. 🔨

Relentless Optimism is NOT equivalent to Toxic Positivity.

Being this type of optimist actually requires that we see the challenge - that we see the hard, apparently impossible, and very real issues the are present. There's no glossing over them. In fact, as a relentless optimist, I have to understand and feel them as part of the problem-solving steps to vision the impossible.

Instead, Relentless Optimism says, 'I understand we don't have the solution yet and that we can't even begin to see one, but I believe even in the darkest moment, that one exists.' Moreover, the Relentless Optimist is driven to find that solution.

Even if I can't stop trauma itself:

I can change how we talk about it.

And what we know about it.

And how we deal with it.

And I am certain that will eventually change the world. 🌍 ❤️‍🩹

If you'd like to work with me and learn about my tools or services, message me today and we can set up a free, no-obligation 20-minute exploratory call.

03/31/2026

I've decided to expand my client base while interning - offering $30 in-person or telehealth therapy sessions in South Carolina (no insurance.) With everything going on in the world, being able to offer something that is affordable and accessible is important to me. If I can support you, or someone you know, please reach out. I'd love to accompany you on your healing journey!

03/30/2026

As a doctoral student in Mental Health Counseling, I know the value of therapy.
As a DV survivor, I know the value of therapy.
As a parent, I know the value of therapy.
As a human in a world that often seems so harsh, I know the value of therapy.

I also know the stigma of the work I do - and the treatment I use. But it doesn't need to be that way. Let's normalize therapy - with a little levity 🥸

Therapy Nerd merchandise is my personal design - a playful way to start the conversation about why we can all use a little therapy from time to time. Tee's, hoodies, bags, pillowcases, and hats in a variety of fun colors and styles - with more to come. Shop the store and become an advocate today. You never know who you might empower!

betterlivingcollab.com/store

Because therapy isn’t weird—pretending you don’t need it is!

03/29/2026

We get caught up in the nuance of this a lot...

Trauma Survivors: Healing after trauma isn’t about blaming yourself for what you went through. Especially if you were young—it was NEVER your fault. Even if you felt powerless, your mind and body channeled their warrior spirit to help you survive. And you did. And you're here.

Now, YOU get to write your story. Being accountable in your now means you’re in charge of your healing, your growth, and how you react to triggers. Changing & healing doesn’t mean punishing yourself for the ways you survived—it means acknowledging your strength and refusing to let your past define you.

You can hold compassion for who you were, and still champion who you’re becoming. Both are true.

Ready to move forward? Let's do this.

03/27/2026

03/26/2026

One of the reasons I developed Radical Wellness is because I've seen this exact approach all too often. We are waiting for the trauma (for the hard thing if the word 'trauma' makes you squeamish) before we learn to deal with it.

That's a bad plan for most things - but it's especially bad for learning to deal with trauma. Here's why:

When you encounter something that causes a trauma-response (or a trigger) in you, your brain does its job and alerts the 'first responder', your amygdala. Amygdala has one job and it does it very, very well - to keep you safe. That includes shutting down or overriding much of the rest of your brain - including your frontal lobe (where the pre-frontal and frontal cortex's dealing with problem-solving, language, decision-making, regulation, etc.) live.

If you don't know how to calm and regulate this response before it happens, you aren't going to be able to manage it during, or after, the event.

Radical Wellness acknowledges that hard things are going to happen to us in life and, instead of shying away from that fact, looks at all the ways we can understand ourselves and our needs so that we have skills at-the-ready to respond to that fire.

Whether you need to learn this skill for the first time - or relearn it - to manage what's in front of you, visit me at The Better Living Collaborative and I can help!

03/25/2026

There are many who know that I make a lot of art and that I often use the hashtag . Recently, I had a client ask me if that was really true - was art really my therapy?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes - AND...

One of the reasons I make art is to help me process the world as I experience it, or sometimes as I wish it was. I use art to communicate where I find hope, discover memories, and encounter my own desires. I also use the process of making art to help me process things unrelated to art - art is part of my grounding and mindfulness practice. These practices are fundamental to my ability to manage stressors, triggers, and traumas. It's part of my own 'Radical Wellness' formula. Art centers me so I can learn to be okay even when the world around me is not. Once I'm grounded, and centered I can take on the change - but not before.

AND
Art is not my only therapy. Over the years I've engaged a variety of coaches, therapists, attended group therapy and support groups. I also journal, use somatic practices (like hot vinyasa yoga), and other arts approaches including drama and music. Because there's nothing wrong - and in fact, it's something to celebrate - when you desire to offer the world - and yourself - the best version of you.
So make art - or music - or break into a spontaneous dance. Seek out the coaches, the counselors, the mentors, and the peers who celebrate you.
Get creative - and set your mind free.

03/24/2026

It's happening more and more: someone comes to me feeling helpless, or guilty, because they are so upset about the things going on in the world that it's hard to carry on.

My first question is - 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯?

As a feeling, caring human, of course you are struggling. If you've been paying attention at all, of course you are upset. It's upsetting. It's all deeply upsetting.

But I don't want you to suffer. That won't help anyone. So, after we recognize that it's absolutely okay - and in fact completely normal - to be upset by what's going on, let's look at some strategies to create a little relief.

Treat yourself extra kindly right now. A little extra sleep, a creative distraction, a little bit of nature, can all go a long way towards grounding you and give your nervous system a much-needed break.

Keep a routine if you can. Something predictable can help move you through your day. Avoid constant social media scrolling - set aside a time to look, then move on. Your body is not calibrated to take on trauma 24/7.

Taking action can feel empowering - but take the action that suits you, not someone else. Say 'no' to the other things.

Even if you're an introvert, don't isolate. Find your safe space and spend a little time there regularly.

Get support. Counselors, therapists, coaches, peer groups, etc. are all here to navigate and process these tough times with you. It's what we're for.

Be Well, friends - Be Radically Well - you are not alone.

03/23/2026

You are who YOU say you are.
Your perceptions of you are valid and fair.

Trauma screws with our perspective of ourselves - and gaslighters and manipulators take advantage of that. When they have a national platform, it's all the more triggering.

Draw your circle close.
Fight if you are up for it 🥊 - rest if you are not. 🛏️
Allies - that applies to you, too.

Everyone is valid, heard, and welcomed at The BLC - we are healing, growing, and becoming Radically Well together and you are welcome here. 🏳️‍🌈

Visit my new website: www.betterlivingcollab.com or reply 'list' below to get added to my eblast and to keep receiving affirming and welcoming messages because I mean it - you are welcome here - you are seen here - and you are CELEBRATED here! 🧡