Category Archives

Healing Journey

woman with soft purple brunette curls looks with sorrow at camera in selfie with pink flowers in the background

Am I Scared or Is It Grief? – Uncovering the Sad Feeling

By Kristance Harlow | June 18, 2022 |
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I used to feel this sad and heavy pain in my gut all the time. At times I could name it, pinpoint where the sad feeling started. Most of the time it just felt bad, at best a sign that something was off. Maybe a warning to tell me a memory was trying to be processed,…

woman walking up stairs

Can 12-Step Programs Treat Dual Diagnoses?

By Kristance Harlow | November 23, 2019 |
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Effective treatment needs to include both the substance use disorder and the co-occurring disorder in an integrated approach because the two conditions build on each other.

header image of happiness

Letting Go of Control: How I Stopped Trying to Force Solutions

By Kristance Harlow | August 15, 2019 |
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Recognizing that I am not responsible for and cannot fix other people’s feelings is powerful; it frees up so much space and time for me to do my own healing and growing.

header image about self care

How to Manage Depression: 6 Simple Reminders

By Kristance Harlow | August 15, 2019 |
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Treat yourself with gentleness and forgiveness. With every negative thought about yourself, throw in a dose of self-love. Self-compassion can reduce the severity of depression and anxiety.

image depicting thoughtfulness and drama

Are the 12 Steps Safe for Trauma Survivors?

By Kristance Harlow | August 15, 2019 |
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When the 4th and 5th steps are done without support for the symptoms of PTSD, they have the potential to retraumatize.

Follow Your Bliss…Differently

By Kristance Harlow | December 12, 2018 |
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Sometimes one thing that frequently makes me happy will be completely joyless and painfully uninteresting on another day. Which is a hindrance for trying to create a life that allows me to follow my bliss in my work.

Create Your Own Motivation

By Kristance Harlow | December 9, 2018 |
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My motivation ebbs and flows. Real dedication to work towards contentment and health comes through on an unpredictable stream. It’s rarely strong and often is barely a trickle, but it is just enough to keep me going.

Will I Pass My Mental Illness to My Children?

By Kristance Harlow | October 1, 2018 |
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I want children of my own, but for the past few years I have been afraid that I would pass this on to my offspring. I feared how will my body and mind handle it?

Ocean view with adobe hut

Meditating With the Ocean in Cozumel

By Kristance Harlow | September 25, 2018 |
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I’m in Cozumel. It’s my first time here. I’m lying on a towel in my black and white retro high waisted bikini–lathered in sunscreen, of course–already dry from a long swim in the ocean.

Women in a class

The Importance of Women’s Recovery Spaces

By Kristance Harlow | August 13, 2018 |
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I’ve heard rumors suggesting that women’s only recovery meetings are not good because they’re just “man-bashing.” This is unequivocally false; just because something isn’t for you doesn’t mean it is against you.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. The numbers listed here are the commonly used numbers for the stated region, the numbers can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you don't know your country's equivalent to 911, this wiki page and The Lifeline Foundation have comprehensive listings.

Americas

911

The Americas

Europe

112

Europe

Africa

112 & 999

Africa

Asia

112, 999, 110

Asia

Oceania

112, 911, 999, 111, & 000

Oceania

Find help for a crisis by texting, calling, or chatting online with these free crisis organizations. Looking for one outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

Crisis Text Line
Text: “HOME” to 741741

Suicide Lifeline
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
Call: 1-800-273-8255

Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453

The Trevor Project
Text “START” to 678678
1-866-488-7386

These online and international resources may help you anywhere you are located. Looking for local support outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

DV Support Abroad
Call toll-free worldwide
1-833-723-3833

I'm Alive Virtual Crisis Center
Live chat with trained volunteers

Crisis Connections
24/7 crisis support with interpretation in 155+ languages