Grief is one of life’s most profound teachers, shaping us in ways we never imagined. For those navigating its waves, it can feel isolating and endless. Yet, within the darkness lies an extraordinary potential for transformation. In this heartfelt interview, we dive deep into the journey of a woman who turned her pain into power, her grief into growth, and her losses into a legacy of resilience. Through her candid reflections, she offers hope, wisdom, and the reminder that even amidst life’s hardest chapters, we hold the pen to rewrite our story. Let her words inspire you to embrace your emotions, honor your journey, and reclaim your strength.
1. Can you share the impact of losing your mother and partner on your journey of rewriting your story?
Grieving both my mother and partner has deeply shaped my journey for many years. When I lost my mother at twenty-two, I didn’t know how to process my emotions. I had been heavily codependent on her—her emotional caretaker throughout my childhood and early adulthood. When she passed, I felt numb and disconnected from my feelings because I had spent so long prioritizing her over myself.
That grief stayed hidden throughout my twenties. But when I lost my partner at twenty-six, the grief hit differently. I felt everything—all at once. I was devastated, lost, and unable to function for years. It took a long time to recognize how much I had lost myself in caring for others.
When I finally chose to heal, I fell in love with my grief. I began to see it as a part of what made me whole. The past versions of myself no longer scared me. Instead, I began to truly see myself—and realized that losing my mother and partner had ultimately led me to the most important journey of all: getting to know me. Grief became part of my story, and I finally felt ready to write a new one.
2. How has grief shaped the person you are today, and what have you learned from it?
I often say, grief doesn’t wear me—I wear grief well. It’s opened me up to understanding my own needs and finally putting my happiness first. Grief has awakened me both spiritually and creatively. I’ve learned to sit with it and listen to what it has to say.
Through my writing, I’ve made it a mission to comfort those who are also navigating loss. Grief has forever changed me—I’ll never see the world the way I did before, but that’s made me feel more alive than ever. My pain shaped me, and now, I’m finally learning to love who I’ve become.
3. What role has writing played in your healing process and acceptance of your grief?
Writing has always been my way of speaking—even before I could regulate my emotions. It’s been my outlet, my mirror, and my lifeline.
In the depths of grief, I often found myself hysterically scribbling in a notebook, pouring my emotions onto the page. Much of my second poetry book, Let Me Fcking Cry*, was born during those raw, painful moments. Every time I finish a book, I feel lighter—like I’ve welcomed and released a part of myself. Writing is how I find my way back to me.
4. How do you navigate the ongoing waves of grief, and what strategies help you cope?
Time has been the most powerful teacher. I’ve learned to be patient with myself and my emotions. When I feel overwhelmed, I take a notebook, sit outside, and write my feelings down surrounded by nature. That stillness helps me feel grounded and understood.
5. What advice would you give to others dealing with profound loss and struggling to move forward?
Be patient with yourself. I used to pressure myself to just “feel better,” and it only made things worse. Grief is a process that demands rest, stillness, and acceptance. When I was finally able to move forward, it was because I’d given my body and soul the space to grieve and begin to heal. Take as much time as you need—there is no rush.
6. How has your journey through grief influenced your self-perception and appreciation of yourself?
Grief forced me to face myself. As someone raised in codependency, I always put others first. I had no concept of self-appreciation. But grief made me sit alone with my emotions—and slowly, I started seeing myself clearly.
Though painful, that solitude helped me build appreciation and trust in myself. Today, I carry a quiet confidence knowing that I can survive and thrive through anything.
7. What motivated you to write and self-publish your poetry series on overcoming childhood PTSD?
It was part of my own healing. While writing The Rise of a Woman, I was beginning to emerge from the fog of grief and wanted to make sense of my past. Writing gave voice to the child within me who had been silenced for so long.
As I wrote, I could feel my CPTSD quieting. My inner child finally had space to speak. I realized I wasn’t just writing for me—I was writing for every other inner child who had been hurt, unheard, or forgotten.
8. Can you describe the emotional process of writing about such personal and challenging topics?
Writing about personal topics helps me release the emotions I’ve buried. There’s a calm that follows when I get my memories out on paper. It helps me understand my emotions and regulate them in a safe, healing way.
9. How do you balance honoring your emotions with continuing to move forward?
I’m still learning. When grief-related emotions come up, I sit with them, write them down, or talk them through with myself. I’ve found that working through the hard moments—rather than bypassing them—always leads me where I’m meant to be, even if it takes time.
10. What has been the most rewarding aspect of sharing your experiences through your writing?
The community that’s formed around my work has been the greatest gift. I’ve received messages from women who’ve cried reading my words, who’ve realized their own self-worth, or felt seen in their grief. Creating a space where women can connect, feel comforted, and heal together—that’s the real reward.
11. How do you maintain your mental health while working on emotionally intense projects?
It can be triggering to revisit trauma while writing. I’ve learned to take breaks when I feel anxious and talk to my partner when tough emotions arise. Writing is emotionally draining—but it’s also incredibly freeing. It’s my form of self-therapy, and I honor the emotional labor by pacing myself.
12. What advice would you offer to women who feel stuck in their grief or past traumas?
Prioritize yourself. That’s the key. Therapy and supportive, positive people helped me find peace. Once I began to put my healing first—above everything else—I noticed a shift. You have to give yourself permission to heal, even when it’s uncomfortable.
13. How important is it to have a support system during tough times, and how have others supported you?
A healthy support system is everything. My family dynamic wasn’t supportive, so I found chosen family—friends who showed up with love and understanding. They helped me redefine what “family” means. Having people validate your experience can be deeply healing. But also, learning to comfort myself taught me the most about building self-love.
14. What final words of encouragement would you give to women rebuilding after loss?
Embrace every version of yourself—the past ones, the present one, and who you are becoming. Every emotion you’ve felt is valid. There is a strength within you, even if you can’t feel it yet. You are not broken—you are rebuilding, and that is one of the most powerful things a woman can do.
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