Hey there,
This week’s episode was a big one.
I sat down with my two sisters to talk about what it was like growing up with a mom who struggled with undiagnosed and untreated mental illness. And let me tell you—it was a ride.
We laughed. We got deep. We said things out loud that we’ve never really talked about before. And in the end, we all agreed on one thing:
Our childhood was a mix of light and dark, love and loneliness, survival and strength.
If you grew up in a home that didn’t always feel stable—or if you’ve ever had to be “the strong one” before you were ready—this one’s for you.
Let’s unpack a few of the big themes we touched on in the episode, because the past doesn’t just disappear.
But talking about it? It makes it feel a little lighter.
1. The Weight of Silence
When your childhood came with a “don’t talk about it” rule
There were a lot of rules in our house. Some were spoken—like “Don’t slam the door” (seriously… don’t).
Others were unspoken—like “Don’t talk about what’s really going on.”
When mental illness isn’t acknowledged, you learn early on that some truths are off-limits.
You keep quiet. You keep moving. You keep pretending everything’s fine.
But silence is heavy. And carrying that weight for too long? It changes you.
A Moment for Calm #CreateCalmMentalHealth
Write down one word that describes how you felt as a kid. Just one.
Let it be enough. You don’t have to explain it.
Share it if you’d like—with the hashtag #CreateCalmMentalHealth.
2. Childhood Interrupted
When you had to grow up too soon
You know those kids who just get to be kids? The ones who run around without a care in the world?
Yeah, we weren’t those kids.
When a parent is struggling, you learn to read the room before you even walk into it. You figure out how to be the calm one. The responsible one. The one who doesn’t rock the boat.
You become steady—even when you’re falling apart inside.
Something to think about:
If you had to be the strong one early on, do you still feel that pressure now?
And if so… what would happen if you gave yourself permission to put it down?
A Moment for Calm #CreateCalmMentalHealth
Take a deep breath in. Hold for four. Exhale slowly. Repeat.
Draw or doodle your childhood self—however they show up.
Let them take up space. Share it if it feels right.
3. Shame & Isolation
When you felt like the only one
Mental illness isn’t contagious—but shame sure is.
As a kid, all you want is to belong. To feel normal.
But when your home life doesn’t look like anyone else’s, it’s easy to start wondering if you’re the problem.
We carried this quiet fear that if people knew what things were really like, they’d see us differently.
So we smiled in pictures. We blended in. And we felt completely alone.
A Moment for Calm #CreateCalmMentalHealth
Write down one truth you were afraid to say as a kid.
You don’t have to share it—just let it exist outside of you.
Then, if you’re up for it, create something around it. A poem. A few lyrics. A sketch. A whisper of your truth.
4. Coping in the Dark
Survival strategies that made sense at the time
Kids are wildly creative. When life gets hard, we figure out how to cope—some ways healthier than others.
Maybe you became a perfectionist. Maybe you joked your way through everything. Maybe you disappeared into books, or music, or daydreams.
Whatever it was, it helped you survive.
The thing is—what helps us survive doesn’t always help us heal.
Something to think about:
What were your childhood coping strategies?
Are there any you’re ready to outgrow?
A Moment for Calm #CreateCalmMentalHealth
Instead of reaching for an old habit, try something new.
Draw. Write. Scribble. Move. Create without judgment. Let it be imperfect and yours.
Tag it if you want to: #CreateCalmMentalHealth.
5. Searching for Stability
The adults who showed up—or didn’t
Not all heroes wear capes.
Some are teachers who noticed.
Some are friends’ parents who fed you dinner without asking questions.
Some are the people who just… showed up.
And some were the people who should have stepped in, but didn’t.
Both truths matter.
A Moment for Calm #CreateCalmMentalHealth
Write down the name of someone who helped you feel seen.
Or write what you wish someone had said or done.
If it feels right, share a gratitude post—because small kindnesses matter.
Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Talk About It
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Talking about the past doesn’t mean you’re stuck in it.
It means you’re unpacking it. Naming it. Deciding what still belongs and what you’re ready to let go of.
Healing isn’t linear. But there are ways to create calm in the chaos.
That’s what this blog, this podcast, and the hashtag #CreateCalmMentalHealth are all about—finding small, creative ways to breathe again.
Thanks for being here. Truly.
Until next time,
Jenn
P.S. If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, you can find it RIGHT HERE(needs a link).
And if you want to get my weekly reflections, creative prompts, and free journaling guide (Create Calm in the Shadows), you can sign up for the newsletter HERE (needs a link).
