life

A woman holding the sign Joy in her hands on the Journeyofsmiley blog

Four Tips to Find Joy in the Journey: Dealing With Struggle – Salt + Sparrow Guest Post

The past few months have been incredibly hard for us again. At the start of the summer, we found out that my mother-in-law, Mum as I used to call her, had cancer. We didn’t, however, expect that we would lose her just three months later. This was heartbreaking. ‘Why, why again?’ I started to question. …

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Portrait of a woman with ginger hair on the right side and on the life side an inspirational quote on the PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body?

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body? by Susanne Kooijman | PTSD: My Story Project #014 Trigger warning I decided to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project and share my experience with conversion disorder in hopes that someone can relate to it and find comfort in knowing that they too, can overcome their worst …

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A white pebble stone with the writing Gratitude on it and on top of it is written Genuine Ways to Express Gratitude on the Journeyofsmiley blog

Alternative Ways to Genuine Gratitude Practice in Challenging Times

Gratitude has helped me enormously since my accident two and a half years ago. During this time we have been practising gratitude each night before going to sleep. It has helped me to see the light in the darkness of tough times. However, after receiving heartbreaking news from my husband’s immediate family, we found ourselves …

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Portrait of a woman with blond hair on the right side and on the life side an inspirational quote on the PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley

“You Are Not Alone,” Comforting Message From a Nurse by Valentina Mirto

“You Are Not Alone,” Comforting Message From a Nurse by Valentina Mirto | PTSD: My Story Project #013 Trigger warning I have chosen to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project because I am constantly exposed to people suffering from trauma due to being critically unwell. Sometimes trauma can be a silent enemy. And the …

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Sunset over the sea and the title Relax and Restore on Journeyofsmiley.com

How to Relax Your Body and Mind Without Feeling Guilty – ReelChat Guest Post

Summer is starting to knock on the door, a time of holiday, rest and relaxation. Or at least it should be. However, how many of us remember an occasion when a holiday turned into a nightmare rather than being the period of peace and tranquillity that we hoped for? It is, however, possible to prevent …

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A woman in the nature, lake ahead of her, trees in the background, woman standing with her hands up towards the sky and the title is Meaningful life without children on Journeyofsmiley blog

Living a Meaningful Life Without Children – Tutum Journal ‘Joy’ Issue Guest Post

Life doesn’t always go in the direction we want or imagined that it would. But who said that we can’t discover the purpose and meaning of life whilst pursuing plan B? When a friend of mine told me that after several unsuccessful attempts to conceive a baby they were giving up, I could hear the …

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On the right half of the picture is a photo of a woman wearing glasses, on the left half is a title PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley Blog and a quote about childhood trauma effects on adulthood

The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adulthood by Wanda Lopez

The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adulthood by Wanda Lopez | PTSD: My Story Project #011 Trigger warning I have chosen to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project to raise awareness of the effects that childhood trauma can have on trauma survivors in adulthood. We hear the word PTSD and only think of soldiers, …

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Wind is blowing away a dandelion that a person is holding in their hand and around the dandelion are in circle words, vulnerability, courage, strength on Journeyofsmiley blog

Could Vulnerability Actually Be Our Strength? – Examine This Moment Guest Blog Post

It has been a year since I started going back to the gym. Although recently, my visits have been very infrequent due to ongoing pain and illness, I was back today. I remember a year ago when I went back to the gym for the first time since my accident. It ended with tears, and …

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