Blog – THE RELENTLESS PROJECT

THE RELENTLESS PROJECT

Exploring Life after Child Sexual Abuse

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Home/Blog
About The Relentless Project
Resources
Archive
Joanna’s Blog

Recent Posts

R1E6: Crisis Mode (Rambles Series)
R1E5: Sharing Your Story (Rambles Series)
Announcement: Blog Post Comments Disappearing
S1E3: Finding and Making a Safe Space – Part 1 (Tool #2 of the Survivors Toolbox)
R1E4: Dealing with Uncertainty (Rambles Series)

Share this with Others:

relentlessjoanna

Just wanted to take a moment to say Thank You, for

Just wanted to take a moment to say Thank You, for sharing this space with me. I wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

The holidays used to be much more difficult for me to celebrate, but thanks to my closest friends and my fiancé, I've been able to celebrate them in my own, peaceful, joyful way.

Years ago, my fondest Thanksgiving memory was surfing different dinner parties. It was a different time (sans pandemic), and I decided that I would take the holiday into my own hands. I didn't want to sit down feeling captive and pretending to be happy in the house I was abused in.

My closest two friends and I ventured to different extended family/family friend/friend Thanksgivings together like siblings, laughing and feasting on turkey and different types of pie. Pumpkin was my favorite. They reminded me that if you gave yourself the chance, you could make something terrifying into something much sweeter, and pleasant.

If this speaks to you, I hope you find peace and safety today. Take the courage to explore the different ways you can make the holidays your own.

I send you peace today, and wish you good healing.

#survivingsexualtrauma #childsexualabusesurvivor #sexualabusesurvivor #cptsdrecovery #mentalhealth #thanksgiving #bardotbrushes #bardotbrush

New episode is LIVE 🥳! Long and awaited. Again,

New episode is LIVE 🥳! Long and awaited. Again, here are 6 Steps to help manage a mental crisis. For detailed timestamps, visit www.relentlesspodcast.com

If you have any questions let or comments, feel free to leave them in this instagram post, or to drop me a DM 🙆🏻‍♀️.

Thank you for your patience. It's wonderful to be back 🙃. #relentlessproject

Upcoming Episode 🎧: How to manage a mental cris

Upcoming Episode 🎧: How to manage a mental crisis, or "Crisis Mode" as I call it. I'll go through 6 actionable steps to help manage a mental crisis:

1: Re-Evaluate 🤹: What am I juggling now?

2. Re-Prioritize 🧐: What do I absolutely need to get done, what can I pause, snip, delegate?

3. Simplify ✂️: Reduce your responsibility to BELOW your usual abilities

4. Make a Few Goals 📝: A few tangible ones, and establish halfway-point markers for those goals

5. Reflect 📖🖋️: Reflect your progress on a daily basis. What would you do different? What would you do again? Have you made progress toward your goals?

6. Replenish 🌬️: Take up slow hobbies, or things that give you energy. This is not selfish, this is necessary.

- - -

I am excited to be back with a new episode 🥳! I've been working on the podcast quite a bit...a different rhythm and pace, but a better mindset to provide to this community that I care so deeply about.

I have decided to release episodes at a slower frequency, with a focus on quality versus quantity, and to stay involved with my Instagram page through introspection.

Don't forget, I put a whole lot of effort in time-stamping my episodes in great detail...if this will be helpful for you, visit www.relentlesspodcast.com

#survivingtrauma #survivingchildsexualabuse #metoomovement #metoo #relentlessproject #managingmentalcrisis #mentalhealth

🚨Spotlight Saturday: Unexpected Mindfulness Too

🚨Spotlight Saturday: Unexpected Mindfulness Tool🚨 Playing games is one of my favorite ways to spend time in between personal projects and grad school. I'll play alone, or sometimes with Jon. It can be something incredibly complicated like this, or even simple like Bananagrams.

There's scientific literature that suggests that playing strategy boardgames can help with memory🧠, logic 🤓, creativity 🖌️, and can help you forge bonds with others 🧐📃📊.

For myself, I find all this to be true...but I also find it a great tool to practice mindfulness. It's also a wonderful healthy and fun antidote for when I get into episodes of overthinking 🥴.

What are your favorite games to play?

#cptsdrecovery #childsexualabusesurvivor #boardgames #agricola

Social anxiety, especially in regard to my own tra

Social anxiety, especially in regard to my own trauma, is something that I still navigate with some internal challenges. I know it's odd, considering that this platform I share is all about learning how to live with your truth, and that I've shared my background with others here (albeit, without detail).

In person, I am much more cautious about bringing up the Relentless Project in casual conversation with new people. It helps me avoid the "How did you start?" Or "Why did you start?" questions. I am an introvert, mostly taking comfort in sharing my ideas and thoughts with a trusted few people.

So I felt conflicted when my fiancé so sweetly shared my podcast with others at a local outdoor bar with a few people. He didn't share details, just mentioned that it was something that I've pursued. He was proud that I started recording again. He invited me down to meet a couple new people, and naturally, my new acquaintances asked about the project.

It put me in an odd situation, because I just finished recording an episode. It takes mental and emotional focus and energy to create from a vulnerable place, and I preferred to reflect and work on other types of art or music after recording.

I didn't expect the question, so I didn't have time to prepare myself. I realized that I could have lied, but the Relentless Project is something that I felt like shouldn't be hidden. So without getting into detail, I shared what the Relentless Project was for, what it was about. There was a bit of an awkward pause...one that I was kind of anticipating, but couldn't decide if I regretted sharing something that can be taken as pretty depressing, especially for a first conversation.

I later told Jon how I felt, and he apologized. He could tell that I was pretty upset, it felt awkward because the other two left as soon as I shared that information.

I later found out that one of them, was likely a survivor (or maybe exposed to that type of trauma). He found my fiancé at the bar, and told him that he was crying. It was dark, we couldn't see it.

(Continued in comments)

For anyone needing the peaceful sound of waves cra

For anyone needing the peaceful sound of waves crashing into the shore.

I'll be honest, like for many survivors, it's been

I'll be honest, like for many survivors, it's been rough balancing my "have to dos" with my self-regulation and self care. I've been more focused on building content with less of an emphasis on illustration, and re-evaluating how I want to use this space.

I've decided to release content at a decreased frequency, but with more shared introspection. There's been a lot of that lately.

Like many others in America, I've been on edge about the election. While I am hoping for a certain outcome, I have been pacing my information intake.

In general, I've been pacing my social media intake, working on projects I can work on with my hands. Cross stitching, needlepointing, making homemade warm beverages like a matcha or golden latte. Studies have shown that activities such as these have a significant effect on reducing stress.

As a trauma survivor, I understand that my body's stress reaction is different from what is considered "normal". So while it can be an important navigation system (like my emotions can be), it's important to manage them, so I can continue to do the things I need and want to do.

I'm not as productive as I used to be, but I'm certainly healthier. I have room to think, breathe, process new information. I'm not burnt out as I was three months ago.

Bottom line? Take care of yourself. Don't shame yourself for what you can't do right now. There's so much going on in the world, so taking care of your soul, your body, is incredibly important. Cultivate and nourish peace and harmony in yourself, even when life is difficult.

- - -

My next upcoming episode is "Crisis Mode," where I will talk about how to manage life when it feels like everything is out of control.

I also have a lovely interview in the works with Maranda, which I'll discuss more as I get closer to completion of that episode.

And of course, a continuation of the Survivor's Toolbox.

#survivingsexualtrauma #survivingchildsexualabuse #survivingtrauma #relentlessproject #selfcare #selflove #selfregulation

Alas! Unearthed from piles of boxes. I've been del

Alas! Unearthed from piles of boxes. I've been deliberately planning my approach to the project as Jonathan finalizes our little studio and all the plug-ins that make the podcast possible 🌱.

Next up: A chat about boundaries, and an interview with the brave Maranda 🎤🎧.

I feel like I have so much to share. Many of us survivors have been challenged in more ways than one during this pandemic.

While I've been antsy to start the podcast while everything's being put together again, I've been reflecting 📖, and taking this time to regather and recharge after a long period of time chasing and putting out the fires of life 🔥.

I wish you healing and peace. Have a wonderful evening!

A recipe for an easy night's sleep. Tonight's line

A recipe for an easy night's sleep. Tonight's lineup: The Art of Racing in the Rain, journaling, my hobonichi planner, and water to sip on. What are your bedside must-haves? 🙃. I wish you a peaceful evening.

There will always be a pull to many directions 😱👈☝️👉👇. When there are calls for needs and wants from multiple directions, this can magnified by the personal and collective challenges of this year. While you may be driven to participate in every fight, take a pause, and don't forget to fill your cup first, every single day 🌱.⠀
⠀
As my beloved friend Leandra would always tell me "You can't pour from an empty cup."⠀
⠀
Fill your cup first. Create an ecosystem in your life that is sustainable. The many battles we approach today as survivors are marathons, not sprints. ⠀
⠀
Be good to yourself, and know that self care is not selfish. Self care is not only important, it is necessary.⠀
⠀
At the end of each day, I would reflect on how well I took care of myself today, and I would determine the following:⠀
⠀
✏️ 1. What would I do again?⠀
✏️ 2. What would I do different?⠀
⠀
Commit to yourself, make those adjustments the next day, and pay attention to how you feel the next day.⠀
⠀
I wish you good healing!⠀
⠀
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---⠀
⠀
That being said, I'm back! I was able to have a wonderful interview with Maranda, which I'll share in the upcoming weeks. My fiance and I just moved across the country and have unpacked the essentials --- to include things I will need for recording and creating.⠀
⠀
Thank you all for your continued support as I return to the Relentless Project :).⠀
⠀
#selfcare #therelentlessproject #survivingtrauma #survivingsexualtrauma #survivingchildsexualabuse

If you need a break, commit yourself to one! Unplu

If you need a break, commit yourself to one! Unplug, unwind. Don't give yourself a hard time for not doing the things you think you "should" do. You are dealing with life's stressors, and more than likely going through a healing journey during a pandemic.

Give yourself some grace 🙏.

Back at it again 🤗. It's been a while, and I'm a little slow at working on things for the Relentless Project, but as soon as Jonathan and I get to our next home this week (we're moving out of state!) I'll be in full swing.

I'm going through a huge life transition, and we're finally towards the good end of it.

Thank you to those who have had faith in the Relentless Project.

I hope you all are well amidst everything.

Remember, you are never alone, and you deserve grace, peace, and healing.

I have one podcast episode in the cue, but with th

I have one podcast episode in the cue, but with the race to leave the state, I might not be able to podcast for a while! I have been hesitant to pause, but the podcast will be on a hiatus until September. I will continue to work on my illustrations and my website of resources while I can 💕. Thank you for your patience as I navigate through this large change with everything that is going on. I wish you good health and healing, and am committed to spotlighting great resources and tools.

A perfect visualization of why one Survivor's stru

A perfect visualization of why one Survivor's struggle may vastly differ from the next.
..
If it looks complicated, it's because it is complicated! 🤷‍♀️
..
If you're wondering why your path differs from someone else's, it's because everyone experiences #intersectionality differently.
..
The upcoming episode is "Sharing Your Story". Although I recorded and it editted this episode before June, it is relevant to those of us who are beginning to understand the effects of intersectionality.
..
Are you Black? Are you gay? Are you a mother? Have you been divorced? Did the abuse happen in your own home?
..
All of the different circumstances that connect you to that event translate to the outcome, or the aftermath. ..
Although we may not be ready to share our story at any degree, it's important to know yours.
..
I wish you peace and good healing. I will soon be releasing informational resources, exploring different intersectionalities.
..
I will begin with Black Mental Health resources, and articles and resources I find geared towards those who are Black/African American, because #representationmatters 🖤.
..
A figure from the article "An Ecological View of Psychological Trauma and Trauma Recovery" from the Journal of Traumatic Stress, by Mary Harvey (1996)
..
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #survivingsexualtrauma #survivingabuse #survivingtrauma #survivingsexualabuse #psychologicaltrauma

This one's a long one...so I've shared screenshots

This one's a long one...so I've shared screenshots of my message instead. Marching in Austin has opened my eyes to the enormity of love by so many people who do not understand, but understand that this problem is bigger than themselves.
There's so much to gain from simply and truly listening. My heart reaches out to the Black people who must face the retraumatization of their own experiences to make the change they want to see. May love win.

No caption for this one. No hashtags. Just heartbr

No caption for this one. No hashtags. Just heartbreak for what's happening in the country. I've be deliberating what to say, but my gut has been driving me to take action instead. I hope to bring resources to be helpful during a time like this. But forgive me, as I continue to process/learn/navigate my battles within myself, my family, and community.
The Relentless Project stands against sexual abuse. With that, I can't advocate for this and ignore the rights of my Black neighbors, friends, colleagues.

Any crime committed to a Black person or person of color should be met with proper justice. I stand with BLM.

#blackouttuesday #podcastblackout Please see the

#blackouttuesday #podcastblackout

Please see the following links for more information on how to support and self-educate. 👉 https://blacklivesmatter.com 👉 https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co
If you know more, I would love to share. Just let me know. Still learning.
---
The one saddening similarity between the Black Lives Movement and the Me Too movement, is that no one will truly understand unless they've experienced it first hand. ---
My experience is not the same as the experience of a Black woman or man in our society. But the anger, and the pain sounded familiar. It bothered me, and I couldn't put my finger on it yesterday. The anger and pain sounded familiar, because it was the pain of the unheard.
---
Their voices must be amplified. May the wrongful deaths and treatment of those in the Black community be met with justice. But even more so, may we stand up to be better human beings in general, regardless of each other's differences in race, in ethnicity, in skin color.
---
This week, I will not be posting any Relentless Project content in solidarity of my Black brothers and sisters.
---
I hope to share more about what I learn from continuing to research more about the movement, and it's important to all of us. --- ---Edit, If you decide to participate, let's refrain from using BLM hashtag on posts, I've been informed that it clogs the IG system; I've needed to delete and repost without the hashtag---

Finding and Making a Safe Space is an essential to

Finding and Making a Safe Space is an essential tool for the survivor. For *detailed* timestamps and assignments, check out the website at www.relentlesspodcast.com. 🌼

Join the conversation! Leave a comment here, or DM me. Your feedback, your words, are very impactful. Thank you for those that had shared their thoughts with me. (Note, website comments are down, and have been wiped for some odd reason 😩).
🌼

I've made some significant changes to mixing/mastering...and when I say I, I mean my life partner Jonathan 😂. I went to him with my sound editting woes, and he has been so gracious to dedicate a portion of his time every week to help me 🥺👉👈. 🌼

Jon and I have been making huuuge changes, and we are anticipating a move to a new state this upcoming August 2020! 🌼

With all of the changes happening in the background and active healing, online therapy has been a wonderful, welcome breath of fresh air. And all of this mentally possible with my safe spaces.
🌼

If you feel like you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 or RAINN's hotline 1-800-656-4673. I have also listed numerous resources on my website that include online chat hotlines. You do not have to go through this alone.
🌼

#therelentlessproject #survivingsexualtrauma #metoo #podcastersofinstagram #audiogram #procreate #survivingtrauma #cptsdrecovery #cptsd

Have been experimenting with new sounds, technique

Have been experimenting with new sounds, techniques...and Jon's been a huge help in mixing/mastering! Amidst everything else going on in our lives...a state-to-state move, a large career shift, going back to school, etc...this project has been a very welcome part of my weekly routine.
🌼
I hope and pray that what we work on helps others. There's so much more content out there that courageous survivors make, and every voice, every project makes a difference. I'm humbled to hold space next to these voices.
🌼
If you would like to share art, a poem, your voice, your story...let me know. This is for you. This is for me too, don't get me wrong (it's fun), but this ultimately is for you.
🌼
Hoping you all had an easy Tuesday.
🌼
#csa #survivingsexualtrauma #survivingtrauma #MeToo #podcastersofinstagram #cptsdrecovery #traumasurvivor #traumarecovery #artistsway #imac #tascam

Just finished my final edits of the next episode f

Just finished my final edits of the next episode for the Survivor's Toolbox series "Finding and Making a Safe Space" 🙃🌼.
.
This will be one of two parts, as I recognize that designating a safe personal space also means we must also become familiar with how to protect these spaces, especially if they are our own.
.
So this upcoming episode will go into how to make a safe space and why it's important, and the part 2 of this episode will be more about boundaries, and understanding how to effectively use our safe spaces.
.
Boundaries are a a challenge for many survivor's of SA/CSA, but I think that starting out with a physical safe personal space helps exercise our ability to make and reinforce personal boundaries.
.
Safe spaces also provide us with a soothing environment that is conducive to personal Self-Regulation when we slip into "panic" or "stress mode"
.
So stay tuned for the next episode this upcoming Wednesday 🌼. Sending love and good energy this Saturday, from my safe space to you.
.
#safespace #therelentlessproject #podcastersofinstagram #procreate #bardotbrushes #illustration #beach #cuteillustration #MeToo #survivingsexualtrauma #survivingtrauma #cptsd #mentalhealth #mentalwellness

I've been refamiliarizing myself with playing and

I've been refamiliarizing myself with playing and singing music again.
🌱
I have a complicated relationship with music (I'll probably get into that for a Ramble). This will be a surprise to many who know me from singing at church for hours every week for nearly 8-10 years 🎤🎵🎶.
🌱
I love singing and writing music 🎹🎸🎼. For years since we moved out of our home state, I've struggled to go back to singing and writing.
🌱
I would sing for different things, but I couldn't feel the spiritual connection that I did to my music when I used to sing every week. This was painful to admit 💔.
🌱
It wasn't until now that I've discovered that a big part of me struggling to reconnect with my creativity was largely from becoming very skilled at keeping my emotions at bay after years of practice (being a bedside nurse reinforced that for me, too)🙅🏻‍♀️.
🌱
Now that I am now learning how to process my emotions in a healthy way, I feel like I can experience life as vibrantly as I did 4-5 years ago 🌈. Instead of only feeling the extremes of emotion...I could now feel the "in-betweens" 🌊.
🌱
So I've been listening to music, playing music on the guitar, and singing again 🎧🎤🎶. And just like it did 4-5 years ago, it's feeding my soul in so many ways 💕.
🌱
I plan share my music with others again. But until then, I'm going to honeymoon it with one of my favorite guitars from Jon's collection, and my redeveloped guitar string calluses 🥰.
🌱
#metoo #survivingsexualtrauma #survivingtrauma #cptsd #music #healingwithmusic #guitar #taylor #reflection #morningpages #journaling

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Home/Blog
About The Relentless Project
Resources
Archive
Joanna’s Blog

Contact Info

Relentless Blog | United States

Built with BoldGridPowered by WordPressSpecial Thanks