Hi, Friends! 🌟
This week, we’re diving into a deeply personal and powerful episode with Wil Watson. In “Healing Isn’t Linear: Lessons from Wil’s Mental Health Journey,” Wil opens up about her struggles, triumphs, and the tools that helped her move forward. Tune in on Tuesday, 12/17/24, at 3 AM Eastern for an inspiring conversation about resilience, self-compassion, and protecting your peace.
Oh, the Holidays Are Upon Us and So Is the Stress 🎄
The holidays can be magical, but let’s be honest—they can also be some of the toughest times of the year. For me, two years ago, they weren’t just hard; they felt impossible.
I lost my mom in 1997, but the pain of missing her never fully goes away—especially during the holidays. She was the heart of Christmas in our family. Her love and care touched everything about the season: stockings filled with oranges, socks, and a little handmade treasure from a local craft shop. The smell of pine and cinnamon filled the house, and her laughter made everything feel warm and safe.
Without her, Christmas has always felt a little emptier. But two years ago, it felt unbearable. On Christmas Day 2022, I hit my breaking point. I was on the brink of suicide, overwhelmed by grief, depression, and a sense of hopelessness I couldn’t shake. That day, I made a call to 988, the suicide and crisis hotline, and it saved my life.
Calling 988 was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also the most important. The person on the other end of the line listened without judgment, offered me tools to manage what I was feeling, and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. It was the first step in what would become my healing journey.
Fast forward to today, and while things aren’t perfect, they’re better. This year, the tree is up, the lights are glowing, and the unique gifts have been bought and wrapped (No Stockings because the cats are aholes), just like my mom used to do. Recreating her traditions brings me comfort, and it’s my way of keeping her love alive.
But let me be real—it’s still hard. There are days when the ache of missing her is too much. And that’s okay. What I’ve learned is to give myself grace. The holidays don’t have to look perfect. They don’t even have to look the same every year. They just have to feel like yours.
If you’re struggling this season—whether it’s with grief, depression, anxiety, or the sheer madness of it all—please know you’re not alone. We’ve created a Holiday Survival Guide packed with tools that worked for me, from setting boundaries to navigating difficult family moments. It’s practical, irreverent, and here to help you find your footing this season.
👉 Check out the guide here! - Managing Holiday Stress and Emotions- A Practical, Irreverent Guide to Thriving Through the Season.pdf
And if you ever feel like you’re at your breaking point, please don’t hesitate to call 988. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. You’re not alone, and there’s always someone ready to listen.
A Huge Milestone Thanks to You! 🙌
This week, we’re celebrating something incredible: we’re about to hit 1 million downloads! 🎉 Dirty Skittles and I are beyond grateful to you—our amazing listeners—for making this milestone possible. Thank you for every download, every share, and every piece of feedback. And a big shoutout to my co-host, Dirty Skittles, for being the most amazing partner in this wild, wonderful journey.
New Ways to Engage With Us! 🎤
We’re beyond excited to introduce Podgagement, a new way to connect with us and make your voice heard.
With Podgagement, you can:
👉 Leave us a voicemail—we might even feature it on the show!
👉 Share your feedback—what you love, what we could do better, and ideas for 2025.
We want this podcast to feel like your podcast. Your input matters, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
👉 Click here to leave us your thoughts!
💌 Share Your Tips & Win Some Merch! 🎁
The holidays can be tough, but we know many of you have incredible strategies for making it through. We’d love to hear your tips—whether it’s about finding joy, setting boundaries, or just surviving the chaos. The video announcing this giveaway will be released this week.
🌟 Special Giveaway Alert:
We’re hosting a giveaway to show our gratitude! Here’s how to enter:
1. Watch for our holiday giveaway posts on social media.
2. Share your tip or suggestion in the comments.
3. Stay tuned for a special video from me, G-Rex, announcing the winners!
We’ll be giving away exclusive merch from our store, so don’t miss out. Let’s create a community of support and inspiration this holiday season.
Our Store Is Open! 🛍️
Looking for a quirky, last-minute gift? Our store is stocked with fun, irreverent merch that’s perfect for the holidays. While shipping might be tight, you can always grab a screenshot of your gift and pop it into a big box with a tracking number. 🎁
👉 Shop our merch here!
What to Expect in This Episode
This week’s episode features Wil Watson, a mental health advocate who opens up about her healing journey. From waking up one day in mismatched pajamas and realizing she needed help, to reclaiming her peace, Wil shares how therapy, medication, and routines helped her regain stability. She also offers powerful insights on identifying triggers, navigating setbacks, and setting boundaries—all while embracing the messiness of healing.
Podcast Reflection Worksheet
Don’t forget to use our Podcast Reflection Worksheet! This handy tool is included in every newsletter to help you reflect on the episode, jot down key takeaways, and think about how you can apply the insights to your own journey. It’s a great way to turn inspiration into actionable steps and continue your growth long after the episode ends.
👉 Download the worksheet here! - Podcast Worksheet _12_17_25_Healing Isn’t Linear Lessons from Wil’s Mental Health Journey.pdf
Meet Our Guest: Wil Watson
Wil Watson is an inspiring mental health advocate whose story is both raw and relatable. In this episode, she opens up about her journey through a major mental health crisis, triggered by the isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. From waking up one day in mismatched pajamas and realizing something was deeply wrong, to boldly seeking help and starting her healing journey, Wil’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and self-compassion.
She shares how therapy, medication, and building a routine helped her regain a sense of control and stability. Wil also dives into the challenges of identifying triggers, navigating setbacks, and creating boundaries to protect her peace—reminding us all that healing isn’t linear, but every step forward matters.
As a proud Latina and African American woman, Wil also highlights the cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and how she broke through those barriers to seek the support she needed. Her honesty, humor, and vulnerability will inspire you to embrace your own journey, no matter how messy or complicated it might feel.
📍 Connect with Wil:
🌐 Website
🔗 LinkedIn
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Healing isn’t linear—be patient with yourself and give yourself grace.
- Setting boundaries is a form of self-care and a crucial part of protecting your peace.
- Finding small moments of joy, even in hard times, can anchor you in hope.
Actionable Takeaways
- Start a simple daily ritual, like journaling or a walk, to center yourself during the holiday chaos.
- Practice saying “no” to obligations that drain you—it’s okay to prioritize your mental health.
- Honor your loved ones by creating or continuing traditions that bring you comfort and joy.
Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
If you enjoy what we’re doing, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more listeners and grow this incredible community.
Closing Remarks
The holidays can be tough, but they can also be a time for healing, hope, and connection. Take care of yourself, protect your peace, and remember—you’re never alone in this journey.
With love and gratitude,
G-Rex & Dirty Skittles 💖
With warmth and kindness,
G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
Also, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the Episode and your own stories about overcoming mental health challenges. Connect with us on Social Media—our Links are below—and if our journey moves you, consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing the podcast. Your support means the world to us!
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G-Rex & Dirty Skittles
It's ok to be not ok, just make sure you're talking to someone
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