Welcome to "When Not Yet Becomes Right Now," the podcast where we dive deep into the moments of transformation, the times when hesitation fades, and we take that first step into change. I'm your host, Jen Ginty, and I'm so excited to be starting this journey with you.
For those of you joining me for the first time, I wanted to take this first episode to introduce myself and share the "why" behind this podcast. I am a single mom to two wonderful young men, who are now 20 and 18. I also share my home with two very opinionated cats, Foxy and Raven, who you might just see wandering around in the video version of this podcast.
More personally, I am someone who has lived with complex PTSD and major depressive disorder stemming from childhood abuse. For many years, my life felt like a constant state of survival, and when it came to addressing the deep wounds from my past, my mantra became "not yet".
As a single mom, I carried the weight of responsibility for my children. Fear played a huge role in keeping me stuck. I was afraid that if I started to unpack the trauma I had experienced, I wouldn't be able to function, to care for my boys, or handle the day-to-day activities of life. So, through high school, college, and the beginnings of my career, it was always "not yet". Even when I became a mother, my focus was entirely on my children, and the idea of pulling myself away to face my own pain felt impossible.
But as life often does, it presented me with a "right now" moment that I couldn't ignore. About ten years ago, I owned a shop in my town, a boutique that became a part of my identity. When I had to close it and go through bankruptcy due to various factors, including challenges with my oldest son's emotional well-being, it triggered a deep-seated fear related to money and providing for my family. Losing my shop felt like losing a part of myself, and I became afraid to even go downtown.
It was during this incredibly difficult time that something shifted within me. My brain, my body, my soul finally said, "Right now". I realized I couldn't keep pushing off my healing journey any longer because I was already facing new trauma, and I couldn't move forward. I couldn't focus, make plans, or communicate effectively.
This realization led me to seek help. I found a fantastic therapist who has been instrumental in my journey. I also became involved with McLean Hospital, a premier mental health hospital in Massachusetts, specifically their women's center focused on PTSD. I've experienced both outpatient and inpatient care there, and I wholeheartedly believe in seeking the level of help you need.
Through therapy, I've learned about modalities like DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). I even created a therapeutic doll called My Moody Monster® while in a group at McLean Hospital. This pull-apart doll with Velcro limbs helped me to physically express the intense frustration and difficult emotions I was experiencing. Creating and now even selling Moody Monsters has become a significant and special side journey in my healing, allowing me to help children cope with their big feelings while also reinforcing my own understanding of emotions and coping skills. You can learn more about My Moody Monster® at http://www.mymoodymonster.com. I even have "Moody Talks" on my YouTube channel where I discuss emotions and coping skills using DBT.
The reason I'm sharing my story and creating "When Not Yet Becomes Right Now" is because through talking about my experiences on other podcasts, I realized that my journey of pushing off healing wasn't unique. There are countless other journeys out there, big and small, where people face their own "not yet" moments that eventually demand a "right now". This could be the journey of deciding to go back to school, coming out, navigating a parenting challenge, or any other significant transformation.
I want this podcast to be a space for exploring these diverse paths. I want to share your stories and give them the platform they deserve. My goal is to help people understand that they are not alone in their experiences. There are others who have walked similar paths and are open to sharing their struggles, their breakthroughs, and that pivotal moment when "not yet" finally became "right now".
In future episodes, I look forward to speaking with not only individuals sharing their personal journeys but also professionals who have the expertise and knowledge to help us navigate our own.
Have you ever felt like you've been putting off an important journey in your life? What was that moment that sparked your own "Right Now"? I encourage you to think about it and perhaps even share your experiences. We are all in this together.
Thank you for listening to the very first episode of "When Not Yet Becomes Right Now." I'm excited for what lies ahead and the stories we will share. If you're watching on video, I hope you enjoyed the occasional cameo from Foxy and Raven! I'll see you soon for our next episode.
