Why tell my story?

How much do I share? What do I edit out? Why would anyone care about the heavy experiences that culminated into these songs? Just as I am much more than my music, my music is much more than stories about trauma. But my healing story is a big piece of who I am and why I decided to start sharing my music.

Many of you have stories like mine. Traumas rooted in family or religious ties, with people you may not want to "call out" for a variety of reasons. And while I do believe that no one deserves to be defined by their worst moments, I also believe that us "survivors" deserve to share our stories, should we desire to. The bad as well as the good. I deserve to release my truths as a wake-up call for the masses and a middle finger to the people who have never apoligized. No more shame. No more silence. Thank God for songwriting.

My songs, My story

To share my current musical projects without the story attached to them seems criminal. How can I share my song Waves without explaining its roots in PTSD flashbacks and learning how to ride the emotional tsunamis of processing childhood trauma? For these particular musical works, the story is the song, and the song is the story. And while I will keep much of my story private, I will do my best to shout from the rooftops everything that has led to where I am now--the journey from terror to peace. From self-hatred to self-love. From confusion to understanding.

My comittment to respect

If you are here to find inspiration and feel less alone, I welcome you with open arms and hope my story will inspire your healing journey. I kindly ask that you do not assume to know the details I have left out of my stories, or to offer advice for something you're likely unqualified to speak to. Those who are meant to know the details, do, and those who don't shouldn't assume they do. I will do my best to do the same for you and your story, should we ever connect online or in person.

Just a journal

This journal is like a diary for my songs. A deeper-dive, behind the scenes look into the thoughts that have gone into each track I release. I reserve the right to be unfiltered, over-the-top (whatever tf that means), completely grammatically flawed and factually uneducated in the vast world of mental-health. I am simply here to tell my experience and my story and help other people feel less alone. I am completely unqualified to give you mental-health advice. I highly recommend finding a certified trauma specialist.

Stick around

To summarize my story and healing in one little journal is impossible--so I'll give it in digestible amounts. Stay with me and I'll walk you through my darkest and brightest moments that led to some of the most beautiful little songs. (And don't worry, I have a private journal with the realist shit that you will never have access to. But little exerpts for the purpose of helping the next one in line? I can get behind that.)

The other side of grief

I am here on the other side of this story now. I have made peace with things I never thought I would. I have unashamed myself from parts of my story that destroyed me before. And while healing these types of wounds is lifelong, I am here to show those drowning in grief that relief is possible. Having a functional, happy life is on the other side of the doors you have been running from.

But what do I know? I'm just a Jo.