Series 7: Unlocked Letters: A Journey Through Hurt and Hope

Episode 128: To Alice: I Wish I Was You

In this deeply personal episode, I write a letter to Alice—a figure of curiosity, adventure, and endless possibility. Alice's journey through Wonderland is one of self-discovery, embracing the unknown, and navigating the chaos with courage and wonder.

For years, I envied her freedom to explore, to question, and to reinvent herself, while I felt trapped by my own inner turmoil, limitations, and fear.

In this letter, I reflect on the parts of Alice I longed to embody—the resilience, the boundless curiosity, and the ability to stay open to new experiences even in the face of uncertainty.

I explore the tension between wanting to be like her and struggling to accept who I truly am. Through this reflection, I come to understand the unique power of my own journey, how my struggles have shaped me in ways Alice's adventure could never teach.

Join me in this moment of vulnerability as I explore the complex relationship between self-acceptance, admiration, and the journey toward embracing my own version of courage.

Alice may have been the hero of Wonderland, but in this episode, I discover that perhaps I can be the hero of my own story too.

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🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 7: Unlocked Letters: A Journey Through Hurt and Hope

Episode 127: To the Mirror I Feared: A Letter to My Own Reflection

In this heartfelt episode, I write a letter to the reflection I spent years avoiding—the person staring back at me in the mirror. For so long, my own image was a source of discomfort, a reminder of all my flaws, insecurities, and the parts of myself I couldn’t accept.

Through the lens of Alice in Wonderland, I confront the fractured sense of self I’ve carried with me, shaped by past trauma, self-doubt, and the complexities of living with Borderline Personality Disorder.

This episode is about more than just facing the mirror—it's about reconciling with the version of myself I rejected. As I reflect on the deep-seated fear of truly seeing myself, I share the journey of learning to embrace both the light and the shadow within. The letter is a conversation about self-compassion, self-acceptance, and the power of reclaiming my own narrative.

Join me as I rewrite the story of who I am, transforming fear into understanding, and finally embracing the reflection I once dreaded.

This is a letter to the person I was, the person I am, and the person I’m learning to love—just as I am.

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🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.
For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.
And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.
🌀 https://gofund.me/e7709816

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 7: Unlocked Letters: A Journey Through Hurt and Hope

Episode 126: Dear Red Queen: I Learned Rage from You

In this raw and powerful episode, I pen a letter to the "Red Queen" within—my inner embodiment of anger, fear, and frustration.

Through the lens of Alice in Wonderland, I reflect on how this fierce, unpredictable force became ingrained in my emotional landscape.

From childhood tantrums to the destructive cycle of self-loathing, the Red Queen’s reign is both a symbol and a symptom of deeper trauma, neurodivergence, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

As I explore the roots of my rage, I also confront its influence on my self-worth and relationships. But it’s not just about fury—it’s about understanding, taming, and learning to live with this powerful force. In this episode, I share the journey from feeling consumed by anger to reclaiming my power and compassion.

It's a story of discovering that rage doesn't have to define us; we can learn from it, grow through it, and ultimately find a way to channel it into something constructive.

Join me for an intimate, emotional exploration of healing through the chaos, as I write to the Red Queen, finally telling her that the reign is over—it's time to build a kingdom from the ashes.

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 6: Not Quite Alice — The Wonderland of Being Given Away

E125: The Hatter’s Diagnosis

“Mad, aren’t you?” In this episode of Wonderland Unlocked, we sit down with the Hatter — or rather, the long line of therapists, teachers, doctors, and well-meaning adults who tried to explain what was “wrong” with us.

Being adopted often means being pathologized. Big emotions? Must be a disorder. Questions about identity? Probably defiance. In The Hatter’s Diagnosis, we untangle the confusion of growing up under clinical scrutiny — where behaviors shaped by loss, trauma, or survival were labeled instead of understood.

This episode explores how adoptees are often handed diagnoses before they’re handed compassion — and what it means to reclaim your story when the labels don’t quite fit.

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 6: Not Quite Alice — The Wonderland of Being Given Away

E124: The Queen’s Checklist — Good Adoptee Behavior

In this episode, we step into the throne room of expectations — where adoptees are handed invisible scrolls of how to behave, how to feel, and who to be. “Be grateful,” “Don’t ask questions,” “Smile and stay small.” Sound familiar?

Today on Wonderland Unlocked, we open up the Queen’s gilded checklist and take a closer look at the impossible standards many adoptees are expected to meet just to feel safe, loved, or enough. From people-pleasing to performance, this chapter in our Not Quite Alice series explores how being adopted can turn identity into a balancing act — all under the Queen’s watchful eye.

What happens when you start scribbling on the list… or throw it away altogether?

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 6: Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away

E123: Paper Flowers, Paper Parents

Sometimes the people meant to care for us feel fragile — like paper flowers that look beautiful but can’t stand the test of time or hardship.

In this episode of Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away, we explore the ache of having caregivers who seem loving on the surface but lack the depth, consistency, or support you needed to truly grow.

We dive into:

• The experience of feeling seen but not truly held
• The challenges of navigating relationships with caregivers who are themselves fragile or unavailable
• How to recognize when love is conditional or performative
• Finding ways to nurture yourself when your roots feel unstable

This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned the strength of their family ties and is searching for a more grounded, authentic sense of belonging.

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 6: Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away

E122: The Painted Roses of Perfection

What happens when you’re expected to be flawless — to fit perfectly into a story that isn’t your own?

In this episode of Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away, we unravel the pressure of painting over your true self to meet impossible standards. Like the Painted Roses in Wonderland, you might feel forced to cover your real colors just to avoid conflict or rejection.

We explore:

• The exhausting pursuit of perfection to earn love or acceptance
• How hiding flaws or pain creates a fragile mask that’s hard to keep up
• The impact of family expectations and unspoken rules on your sense of self
• Steps toward embracing your authentic, imperfect identity

Join us as we peel back the layers of “perfect” to reveal the messy, beautiful truth underneath — because you deserve to bloom just as you are.

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors

Series 6: Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away

E121: The Queen’s “Gift”

“You were chosen,” they say. But chosen by whom? And for what purpose?

In this episode of Not Quite Alice: The Wonderland of Being Given Away, we dive deep into the weight of being labeled a “gift” — whether by birth family, foster system, or adoptive parents — and the expectations that come with it.

We explore:

• What it really means to be “chosen” and the pressure that can follow
• How being a “gift” can feel more like a responsibility or a role than unconditional love
• The struggle to find your own identity beyond what you were “given” or expected to be
• Untangling gratitude, obligation, and the desire for genuine connection

The Queen’s “gift” isn’t always wrapped in kindness — sometimes it’s a crown of complicated feelings. This episode opens the door to understanding that complexity and reclaiming your own story.

*********************************************************

🗝️✨ I was never supposed to tell this story. But I am.For years, I lived inside someone else’s version of my life — wrapped in secrets, silences, and bedtime stories that left too much out.

Now I’m writing the truth. Unlocked is my autobiography about adoption, anxiety, family fractures, and the journey of reclaiming my voice.

I’m raising funds to professionally edit, design, print, and share this book with people who need to know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever been called too sensitive, too dramatic, too much — this book is for you.And if you believe in the power of truth, I’d be so grateful if you could help me bring it into the world.

📚🧩 Donate, share, or simply send love — it all matters.🌀 ⁠https://gofund.me/e7709816⁠

#UnlockedBook #Memoir #AdoptionStory #FamilySecrets #BreakTheSilence#WonderlandUnlocked #SupportIndieAuthors