Episode 36 - Jo Hayter: Healing Through Words

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What if the most powerful healing tool was already at your fingertips? In this profound conversation with holistic counsellor Jo, we explore how the simple act of journaling became her lifeline while raising a son with cerebral palsy who required round-the-clock care.

Jo shares her deeply moving journey from overwhelm to acceptance, revealing how writing helped her process the "cluster emotions" that arose from being thrust into roles she never expected, nurse, therapist and full-time carer. More surprisingly, journaling helped her recognise and heal from childhood emotional neglect that had caused her to disconnect from her body decades earlier.

"I was feeling disconnected from my body, as though I was living on my shoulder but not in my body," Jo explains. "For years I never told anyone about that because I thought I was the only one." Today, we understand this dissociation as a classic trauma response, but Jo discovered her path back to embodiment through putting pen to paper.

The beauty of journal therapy lies in its accessibility, it's free, doesn't require appointments and can take whatever form works for you. Whether through traditional writing, artistic expression like mandalas, or even voice memos captured while driving, the goal is creating space to process emotions that might otherwise remain stuck in our bodies.

Most touchingly, Jo reveals how her son now 40, became her greatest teacher by challenging everything she'd been taught about having to "be, do, or become" to have value. Through journaling, she worked through her fears and eventually reached profound acceptance and unconditional love.

Whether you're navigating caregiver stress, processing past trauma, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode offers practical wisdom about how meeting your pain on paper can transform your relationship with yourself. As Jo reminds us, what we do to heal ourselves today ripples forward to impact future generations.

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Music Credit: Cody Martin - Sunrise (first 26 episodes) then custom made for me.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and stories shared on this podcast are personal to the host and guests and are not intended to serve as professional advice or guidance. They reflect individual experiences and perspectives. While we strive to provide valuable insights and support, listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice for their specific situations. The host and production team are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.