For as long as I can remember, I've been a writer.

When I was young, I would write what I can only think to describe as, wholesome young adult "novels". I would write about myself, and my girlfriends, and our adventures with boys and friends. Those young feelings of whether a boy thought you were cute, or wanted to hang out with you and the dynamics of girl bonds. They were always in that sweet, innocent 11 year old way. As I got a little older, I began to journal my thoughts and feelings and daily life events. I recently found them again, and laugh at my 12 year old self.

"If you're reading this and you're my kids, if I ever have any, I bet you're wondering if your old ma (me) got into any trouble as a kid"

That was a legitimate quote from my 12 year old self!

I've used writing to help me through different ages, experience and times of my life. When I was feeling nervous, worried, anxious, upset, sad....whatever that may be, I used writing to navigate through those moments. Writing things down, in black and white (or, when I was a kid, with my super cool 4 coloured clicker pen), allowed me to read my feelings again, and helped me feel whether I was valid in those thoughts, or if I was overreacting. Regardless, reading my thoughts brought me to a place of either peace or acceptance. I've got anxiety and a history of depression and in times of struggle, I can let my inner most thoughts get to me and convince me of a variety of asinine things. Yet, for me, it's hard to realize just how incredibly ridiculous some of these thoughts are, until I reread my words. I consider myself lucky in this sense; that I can use my desire to write to help me in my hardest times of struggle.

And if that doesn't work, I've got some pretty incredible friends to tell me when I'm being a little extra.