Support me on Ko-fi

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☕ From the Heart, If You Wish 💛


Hello everyone,

Writing and sharing my mental health journey has been a deeply personal and healing process. If you’ve found comfort, insight, or connection in my words, I want you to know that your presence here already means so much to me.

That said, if you ever feel moved to support my work in a small way, I’ve set up a Ko-fi page where you can leave a tip, just like buying me a warm cup of coffee. No pressure at all. Truly. Only if it feels right to you, from the heart.

Your kindness, whether through messages, shares, or tips, helps me continue doing this work with love and intention.

💛 You can visit my Ko-fi page here: Support Me on Ko-fi ✨

Every bit of support, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated.


Thank you for walking this path with me.


With all my heart,

-Joie

Location: Canada

Most Loved on The Womind Journal

When Love Becomes Control: The Mental Health Toll of a Manipulative Partner

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When Love Becomes Control: The Mental Health Toll of a Manipulative Partner We all want love that feels safe, love that nurtures, respects, and uplifts. But what happens when love starts to feel like a trap? When words meant to comfort slowly confuse, and affection becomes a tool for control? Many people find themselves in relationships where manipulation is disguised as love. It can be subtle at first—so subtle you might even question if it’s real. But over time, this emotional manipulation can deeply damage your mental health and sense of self. What Is a Manipulative Partner? A manipulative partner isn’t always loud or aggressive. They might be charming in public, attentive in small ways, or even act like a victim to guilt you into staying. But their patterns tell the truth: They twist your words. They make you feel like you’re always wrong. They isolate you from people who care. They gaslight you, denying things they clearly did. They use love as a reward system: ...
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The Mental Load of Always Being the Strong One

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The Mental Load of Always Being the Strong One You’re the one everyone calls during a crisis. The one who keeps it together when everything falls apart. The one who’s reliable, calm, capable, and composed. You’re “the strong one.” And no one ever asks if you’re okay . Being the strong one becomes part of your identity, so much so that you forget who you were before you learned to carry so much. While the world admires your strength, they often forget that even strong people get tired. My Story: Strength Woven into Survival As a single mother, I didn’t have the luxury of falling apart. I had to keep going no matter how exhausted, broken, or overwhelmed I felt. I was the one my daughter looked to for stability, for comfort, for safety. I was the provider, the nurturer, the protector, the decision-maker. There was no one else. Just me. People would say, “You’re so strong, I don’t know how you do it.” But they didn’t see the silent nights I cried quietly so my child wouldn’t hear. Th...
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When Healing Makes You Lonely: The Isolation of Doing the Work

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When Healing Makes You Lonely: The Isolation of Doing the Work Healing is often romanticized. We picture self-care routines, soothing music, yoga, or quiet journaling in the morning light. But what no one tells you is how lonely healing can feel. Especially when you’re the only one doing the work. Choosing to heal, truly heal means choosing to break patterns, face trauma, set boundaries, and sometimes, walk away from people you love. It means standing in front of the mirror and seeing yourself fully, honestly, and often, painfully. It's raw. It's exhausting. And yes! it's isolating. The Quiet Gap Between You and the People You Love One of the hardest parts of the healing journey is noticing how much space begins to grow between you and the people who aren't healing. Conversations start to feel surface-level. Shared habits no longer align. You begin to crave depth, honesty, and emotional safety and you realize not everyone is ready to give that. It’s not that you’re ...
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Social Media Fatigue: When Scrolling Drains the Soul

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Social Media Fatigue: When Scrolling Drains the Soul We all know the feeling: you pick up your phone intending to check a quick notification, then an hour later, you realize you’ve mindlessly scrolled through a flood of posts, stories, and endless updates. Social media was supposed to connect us, but sometimes it leaves us feeling drained, anxious, and even lonely. What Is Social Media Fatigue? Social media fatigue is the mental exhaustion that comes from constant online engagement. It’s when the endless stream of content stops feeling inspiring and starts to feel overwhelming. Instead of lifting us up, it weighs us down. It’s not just about spending too much time on your phone. It’s about how the content affects your emotions, comparing yourself to highlight reels, getting caught up in drama or negativity, and feeling the pressure to stay “on” all the time. Why Does It Happen? Information Overload Our brains can only process so much. The flood of news, opinions, and notificat...
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The Silent Weight I Carried: My Journey Working Abroad and Searching for Life at 37

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The Silent Weight I Carried: My Journey Working Abroad and Searching for Life at 37 This is me talking, at 37 years old.  At 36, I made a big decision, I moved to Canada to work and start a new life. I left my career, my mother, my brother, ash & coco, and everything familiar behind, hoping to build something better, something lasting. Now, I’m here in Canada, still fighting to find life for me . For the past 14 years, I’ve lived a life divided between duty and distance. Working abroad, far away from my daughter, I dedicated myself to building a better future for her. I worked hard. I survived. I sacrificed. I endured. But in the process of showing up for everyone else, I stopped showing up for myself. To many, I’m fortunate. I have a decent job. I own a house. I have food, and security. I’m grateful for everything I’ve achieved. But even gratitude doesn’t cancel out the quiet exhaustion that lives in me. The kind that builds slowly over years of loneliness, responsibility,...
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