Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Monroe.
Hi Josie , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up I had a loving mother who taught me everything I know. I was however simultaneously growing up in an abusive environment. During this time, while painful, it is the main reason why I now as an adult am so huge on mental health and positivity. Fast-forward many years, in 2020, my mom passed away. It was the most painful thing I have ever went through. It was bittersweet because even though I was hurting, I was also loving life as I was living life with my best friend. Shortly thereafter, we decided to move to Florida. For me, it was a way to start fresh. I planned to have a successful business out there. It is also when I began to go to therapy again. I ended up needing to get an office job for almost two years. Then my life felt it was slowly crumbling because that job let me go. At that time, I never in my life was let go from a job. Bills were piling up, I had to pay rent with no income coming in, and it was so difficult to get on unemployment. I was running out of money fast and became extremely depressed. It was about almost a year or so with no job, my credit was extremely low, and I felt life was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. At this point, I figured the only thing to do was to take a leap of faith and go to an all-women’s shelter back in NYC. It was suggested by my therapist to go back to New York if I also wanted to help my best friend. So, while it was the second most painful thing to ever happen to me. I packed my suitcase, booked a flight, and headed to the shelter. It felt like losing family, my best friend, our dog, and so much more. But I did it because I had faith. I didn’t realize the pain I’d have to deal with while in the shelter as that was traumatic in itself. I spent over a year in the shelter. Eating outside food, having a curfew at 31 years old, sharing a space with 13 other women, constantly being on my feet. No sleep, no peace. More than my words can express right now. It was intense. After about 14 months I finally got my own place. Now, I am working through that process of transitioning from being homeless to my own place again. I’ve been through a lot since my mom passed and pretty much my entire life. I have faith and remain positive. I have now started sharing a bit of my story with my followers on Instagram while cleaning as it is something I love to do. I do it not only for myself but for others as cleaning is very therapeutic. Just letting God lead me and working on projects where I am able to be a good support for others that may be going through a rough time in life. That’s because I know what it’s like not to have anyone through an immense amount of pain. Keep working, keep believing, never give up as we are all meant for greatness. I don’t know what’s to come, but I do know it will be something beautiful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting over what feels like so many times. With the loss of my mom and grieving, living in multiple apartments in New York, then moved to Florida, lost my job and moved back. Being away from family and not having my dog who I essentially spent every day with for years, was very hard for me. The shelter also made me sick often, and as someone who used to only get sick once a year, my body is now ill a lot. Lastly, In the shelter I was only off my feet for about 3 hours a day for over a year and that has done damage. I would definitely say constant change is difficult.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Right now, I work as a Pre-K classroom paraprofessional. While I do love children, I am also a content creator specializing in Mental Health and lifestyle content. I am in the process of creating a community of people who may have been through similar things as myself and building a support group for individuals who may be dealing with mental struggles, loneliness, depression or perhaps people who are in a shelter like I once was. It will be a positive community as I feel generally a lot of people stray away from mental health and there is a lot of stigma when it comes to that.
Despite all I’ve been through I am known for being a kind, positive, uplifting person who doesn’t give up and I think that’s something that sets me apart from others is that I am a resilient woman with unwavering tenacity and I am most proud that no matter what I just keep going as most people would not be able to handle the things that I’ve been through.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am happiest spending time with my loved ones. I also enjoy creating content, listening to music. Reading is another pastime that brings me happiness because it is a peaceful escape from reality, I love the feeling of living inside of a book for a bit. Life is precious and as humans, we should never take anyone or anything for granted. You never know when it’s our time to be called home and leave this earth. Be kind and loving always.
Pricing:
- Currently building and expanding my platform and community
- Open to opportunities that align with my values
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacelovepulse
