Built For This - the book

Yesterday, I received in the mail three copies of my very first published book in a proof format.  The goal is to ensure that printing happens as anticipated and to provide me with an opportunity to make any final changes before the first edition is printed.  This is a big deal for me!  I am excited, but I am also on a mission.  

Built For This: A Young Woman's Journey to Self-Discovery and Empowerment can be considered somewhat autobiographical as I rely on my own personal life experiences to carry most of the book.  However, I don't believe I have done quite enough yet for someone to care about my life story.  So, why did I write it and why did I use my life as the launch pad?  

Because I believe that my life and my experiences can help  unlock some pain for someone else.  And for me, that is worth it.   Over the years I have had plenty of people tell me that I overshare or when I do share something from my past, I am told that they wouldn't have expected me to experience something like that.  

Believe me, your experiences do not care who you are.   They will come and it is up to you to decide how to handle them.  My experiences started while a teenager and had I not had such a supportive and loving family, I may have not survived any of them.  It doesn't make the pain of what I experienced less, it just made it more bearable... at times.  

Writing this book has been a catalyst for me to become way more open about a mental health diagnosis I was afraid to admit to people.  Mostly, because of shame and the stigmas attached to being clinically depressed.  People tend to think that people with depression aren't strong enough or disciplined enough to change their lives.  Let me tell you a secret... We are stronger than you think when we can live through the symptoms of depression and wake up the next morning.  Coupled with being a growing teenager, it could lead to a recipe for disaster, despair and even death.  But, I was able to overcome and push through.  I want to make sure other people understand that they can do the same thing.

In addition to my personal story and lessons from mental health, Built For This also talks about understanding your purpose, finding, owning and using your voice, learning how to stand your ground and accepting love from those who are easiest to push away.  While this book was written for a 15-year-old girl preparing to head off to college in two short years, there is something for everyone.  I encourage you to not just get a copy for the teen and young lady in your life, but for yourself as well.   

To read more aand to order your copuy of Built For This: A Young Woman's Journey to Self-Discovery and Empowerment visit www.builtforthis.org