Buy the Book here

I’m asking for $26 through orders not done on Kickstarter via paypal.me/mbartleson/26

 

I’m self-publishing an honest book about growing up with chronic illness and mental health. I wrote the content before rose-colored glasses impacted my experiences too much. To help this book get published, you can visit the crowdfunding page to learn more, back my project, and help spread the word. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and my blog “There’s More to the Story”.

It’s my new go to phrase and a way a look at life. You’ll hear me say it and see the words I typed on the regular. Especially right now!

They say the scariest thing is right before you start. I definitely agree that it can be scary. I’d hate to disagree with this statement at all, but at least for me- The scariest thing is admitting something (big) out loud.

So, as of today on August 27th- I’m doing just that. I’m asking for help and admitting something out loud.

I’ve always wanted to be an author, but I always had day dreams and aspirations of fiction. I actually never planned on starting a blog (look at me now!) either. I’ve gone the non-fiction direction, and not only that- I’ve written a book about growing up with chronic illness and mental health.

About two years ago, I realized that something was missing among a lot of great people including researchers, authors, speakers, and advocates. I quickly realized that this was happening to me as well. I was applying rose-colored glasses to a lot of things in my life already at the age of 22. I was starting to say that all the bad things were worth it or completely ignoring them. But that’s not life. Yeah things can suck, but you can still conquer them.

I started telling myself that overdoing it in college was completely fine because of where I was. (To say I probably overdid it is an understatement). When I saw that I was doing this, I realized maybe that was part of the reason I couldn’t connect with adults as a teen. They were telling me that I could do it, but that was where it ended. Maybe they would share their experiences of getting through something, but they wouldn’t say it sucked or that it was hard. That is something I needed to hear. 

I firmly believe that yes I can do it. That I (and others) can get through things. But I want to acknowledge that it can suck. That it’s hard. That maybe there are systematic things that play a part too. That I should still check my privilege. That’s what life is. That’s what I need to do. It’s also what I didn’t always do until diabetes burnout hit me with full force when I was in college. That’s when I realized something. Up until that point I wouldn’t acknowledge the negative parts of diabetes- of chronic illness. I thought I had to pick a view point and couldn’t move. I had to either be positive or negative so I found myself not only lying to the world around me, but also to myself. That’s when I switched how I approached my blog and life. It’s also how I’ve looked at writing this book. 

I’m aiming to balance the positive and the negative together on growing up in general but also with chronic illness and mental health along for the ride. You see, I’ve written the book, and I’m pursuing self-publishing. My goal was to finish all of the content before I turned 24 so rose-colored glasses wouldn’t impact all of my experiences too much. I’m focusing on the fact that yes these things can suck, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. I want to balance the positive with the negative of life experiences with honesty. I also wanted to talk about it all together- the type 1 diabetes, PCOS, endometriosis, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, (other diagnoses), loss, and more- because like the title of my blog says- “There’s More to the Story”.

Today, I launched my Kickstarter, and it will go on for a month. As I launch this Kickstarter, I’m asking for your help and admitting this all out loud which is scary for me to do.

You know- maybe it doesn’t actually go anywhere (I hope it does). But even if it doesn’t- even if it technically fails- I know I’ve learned a lot (already) and seen the support of the communities I am a part of- of the people in my life. That’s something that I’ve already seen, but have felt so incredibly much since taking on this project.

But even more importantly, I’ve been able to process a lot of my past- of the bad parts- of the good- of what learned- and more! I can see how far I’ve come and am glad to be a different person now. To me, that success is worth more than anything else that could ever happen.

Even though I have learned a lot and gained so much, and already have successes with this project….

I would so appreciate your help in general with meeting my crowdfunding goal but also in spreading the word!

I’m chasing this dream and aiming to make it a reality with a few twists. I need the communities and the amazing people in my life to do that. Join me for this journey? Show the world what we can do? Tell the truth with pride?

Thanks a bunches in advance!

(Here’s my general blurb! I adjusted it above- but if you’re looking to help spread the word- you can use this!)

Mindy is self-publishing an honest book about growing up with chronic illness and mental health. She wrote the content before rose-colored glasses impacted her experiences too much. To help this book get published, you can visit the crowdfunding page to learn more, back her project, and help spread the word. You can also follow Mindy on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and her blog “There’s More to the Story”.

 

 

Hey you! Yes, you! 

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and of course-don’t forget to keep up with “There’s More to the Story” via email! (Right sidebar towards the top).

We’ll both be glad you did! -Mindy