Kayla
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Finishing First in a Race Between You and Your Intrusive Thoughts
Learn how to take control of your racing thoughts and prevent suffering. April 5th, 2023 By Kayla Mason, Freelance Writer, www.kaylamason.blog I cannot count how often I have zoned out while someone is talking to me because I am ruminating over something in my head and cannot seem to snap out of it. We all… Continue reading
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I Thought PTSD Only Happened to Military Veterans.
I was sat in my new therapist’s office in 2019 when she first told me she believed that I had gone through a traumatic childhood and adolescence and suffered from complex posttraumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD). I struggled and resisted with someone telling me that my childhood was traumatic and developed PTSD. I had and have… Continue reading
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The Smoking Woman
the last time i saw you was years before you died that big smirk, hazel eyes wrinkled face, aged and wise leaving your home, i reverse to see the door ajar, peeking out at me the smoking woman seeming carefree dog in hand, both of you, short and gutsy i wave goodbye, ‘i love you’… Continue reading
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Aunt Stephanie
the billowing branches of trees swaying in the breeze there you are collecting fees for those who doubt themselves “you can do it, you will beat this disease” you sit perched upon these trees in the company of friendly buzzing bees feeling finally at ease feeling the constant, cool sea breeze you wave to us… Continue reading
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Bonded
On the morning of my mother’s funeral, I stand in front of my mirror in my bathroom and contemplate ignoring my obligations and going back to bed. My family has never been supportive of my mother and me. Ever since she relapsed a few years ago, every one of her siblings had abandoned her while,… Continue reading
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The Stigma of Addiction
It was a hot summer in a small town on the Cape when, as I was holding my mother’s hand, I saw a homeless woman straight ahead who looked ill and was asking for money. To this day, I cannot remember much of my childhood, yet I still can picture that woman’s face. I asked… Continue reading
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5 Ways To Ease Depression Symptoms Right Now
Written by: Kayla Mason, freelance writer, kaylamason.blog It’s no secret that during the emergence of the Covid-19 virus, anxiety and depression rates have skyrocketed. Rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults were about 4 times higher between April 2020 and August 2021 than they were in 2019 (Deangelis). In 2020 and 2021, I talked… Continue reading
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The Smoking Woman
the last time i saw you was years before you died that big smirk, hazel eyes wrinkled face, aged and wise leaving your home, i reverse to see the door ajar, peeking out at me the smoking woman seeming carefree dog in hand, both of you, short and gutsy i wave goodbye, ‘i love you’… Continue reading
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Surfing the Wave
You don’t choose to be depressed. In the time of ‘be positive!’, it can be difficult to validate our own feelings about our mental state. In reality, it’s okay to feel however you feel. If you are feeling sad, happy, lonely, horny, or rageful, those feelings are coming from somewhere; they are valid. What we… Continue reading
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How Mindfulness Can Help Trauma Survivors
Being a trauma survivor myself, mindfulness has always been integrated into my treatment. Recently I was enrolled into a mindfulness based CBT group where I’ve met like minded people who are struggling with trauma and struggling staying present. So, what is trauma and why is mindfulness so important in regards to it? According to the… Continue reading
About Me
Kayla is currently the Virtual Communications Manager at Tamar’s Shelter, a nonprofit focusing on building safe shelters in India for women who have been exploited. She created and manages the website and works with the head of the nonprofit on any marketing tasks. Kayla has also taken on the copywriter role at Families for Depression Awareness, located in Massachusetts. The non-profit focuses on spreading mental health awareness to families of those who struggle with mental illnesses, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
This blog was prepared by Kayla Mason in her personal capacity. The opinions expressed in these articles are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of any organizations Kayla associates with.
Kayla Mason 