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Your Story Isn’t Over
As we embrace the significance of Suicide Prevention Month this September, we’re about to embark on a journey that reveals the empowering story behind the semicolon tattoo. It’s a symbol that doesn’t just decorate skin—it leaves an indelible mark on hearts and minds, reminding us of our innate resilience and the power to overcome. The…
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1 year in Celebrate Recovery
To make this official, I will introduce myself the CR way:“Hi, my name is Maryann. I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I have freedom from all types of abuse. I am healing from codependency, expectations, resentments, and marital hurts.” I entered the doors of Celebrate Recovery (CR) in July 2022, a month after I…
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Celebrate Recovery
65 days ago, I stepped into a familiar setting. It’s an environment that I immersed myself into over 15 years ago. A non-judgmental, unconditionally welcoming space for anyone looking for support during their darkest moments of their lives. On June 16, 2021 – I walked into a local Celebrate Recovery meeting. This week I am…
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Share your story
For AANHPI Heritage Month, I partnered with Filipino Mental Health Initiative – San Mateo County (FMHI-SMC) and shared my living experience around mental health as a 1st generation Filipino American. This was a new experience for me as I have never shared my experiences with mental disorders in a goverment setting. For your convenience, I…
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My urban garden
Gardening has been my saving grace this pandemic season. Now that doesn’t mean I’ve reaped a monumental physical harvest – more on that later- but I can now see why people say gardening is therapeutic. This one hobby has taught me so much about myself as well as the work it takes to grow food.…
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A Candid Conversation with Alexis Madayag
We often overlook the mental health struggles in men. As with many cultures, males are expected to embody the “macho” persona and typical egalitarian gender roles. To even speak of anything around sorrow or anxiety is absolutely prohibited especially in the Asian cultures. According to Thank God I’m Filipino: The roots of the “macho” lie…
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What my dad’s passing taught me
Excerpt from his obituary: Melchor passed away in the comfort of his home of 32 years after a five year battle with a mitochondrial disease. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, and barkada. Melchor was a problem-solver who often took on a multitude of home renovation projects and enjoyed maintaining the family…
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Proud of you: 2020 edition
Around this time last year I listened to an episode from Pursuit with Purpose podcast, where Sunny Lenarduzzi shared that she writes herself a letter about how proud she is of herself. I wrote a similar journal prompt last year and you can read it here. In this season of uncertainty, it is absolutely imperative…
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Wife of a recovering addict: Part 3 – Recovering codependent
This is part of a series: Wife of a Recovering Addict. If you haven’t read the introduction, click here to catch up! Hi! My name is Maryann. I am the a daughter of the King of Kings. My current struggles are people pleasing and codependency. I also have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. If…
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Wife of a recovering addict – part 2: we look just like you
This is part of a series: Wife of a Recovering Addict. If you haven’t read the introduction, click here to catch up! Chris and I were your typical 1st generation Filipino American couple in the late 90s to early 2000’s. He was bald, listened to Bay Area hip hop, lived in Daly City, and drove…