Healing Through Art and Navigating No Contact

In this episode of Finding OK, I interview Polish LGBTQ+ comic artist Monika, best known for her series 'My Secret Lesbian Comics.' Monika shares her journey as a survivor of child abuse and discusses how she processes her trauma and finds healing through her side project, 'Self-pity Social Club.' We discuss the impact of her abusive mother, the decision to go no contact, and navigating relationships within her family afterwards. Monika also shares some powerful tools from therapy, offers advice to other survivors, and talks about the importance of creativity and friendship in her healing journey. I love Monika's work and I'm so grateful I got to speak with her!

 Tw/Cw: Child abuse, PTSD, depression, suicide, and strong language.

Episode Notes:

Monika's Links: https://linktr.ee/mysecretlesbiancomics?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae7yjg_9oQIvXxzLaaJe7wkVOTud8vqZX3JaqAaWaWBpiYc-EEZZKRhtKKmnQ_aem_QZxxyNZ_UQo6e53MXnGuug

Self-pity Social Club: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/self-pity-social-club/list?title_no=788807

Finding OK: https://www.finding-ok.com/

Hecate's Links: https://linktr.ee/FindingOK

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection

00:55 Welcome to Finding OK

01:12 Meet Monika: Polish LGBTQ+ Comic Artist

03:29 Trigger Warnings and Support

04:41 Interview Begins: Monika's Journey

04:57 Navigating Family Dynamics

06:11 Generational Shifts in Mental Health

12:29 Celebrating Compliments and Self-Care

16:22 The Birth of a Comic Artist

27:38 Self-Pity Social Club: A Personal Project

36:29 Sisterly Bonding Over a Difficult Mother

36:48 Financial Manipulation and Emotional Abuse

38:07 Moving to England and Financial Struggles

39:02 Discovering Mother's Deceit

39:41 Manipulative Pity Tactics

47:27 The Wedding Day Incident

50:51 The Fake Suicide Attempt

58:29 Cutting Ties and Setting Boundaries

01:01:22 Family Dynamics and Childhood Abuse

01:07:45 Validating Experiences and Healing

01:11:52 Family Party Drama

01:12:10 Unwanted Attention

01:12:32 Confrontation and Realization

01:13:48 Family Dynamics and Tensions

01:17:02 Listener Questions

01:17:46 Navigating No Contact

01:19:17 Handling Family Events

01:24:00 Therapy and Healing

01:32:43 Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts

01:40:53 Queer Joy and Creativity

01:43:44 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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