I started out looking online, stopping by various forums and researching.  I quickly discovered this was a terrifying thing to do.  I know that many forums start with the intention of supporting people in difficult situations, but it doesn’t take long for a very fearful environment to take shape.  I do recognize that there are some forums where this has not happened.  For the most part, however, online pelvic pain  support forums are riddled with fear.

I was not looking for fear.  I already had plenty of that.  I wanted hope.  I wanted someone to say to me, “Yes, you can heal from this.”  Eventually, I realized I needed to widen my search and look into alternative medicine.  Even that research, though, had its unhelpful moments.  I took piles of supplements, rubbed magical creams on sensitive tissues, and ate specific, horrendously restrictive diets.  Not much happened, other than the violent allergic reaction to said magical cream.  (That’s right – hives on the sensitive tissues for weeks.)

This is why, when I encountered the breathing teacher who told me breathing would reduce my pain, I wept with joy.  Here was a completely normal, simple thing I could do for myself, as much as I wanted, that was safe and helpful.  It was in that moment that I first felt hope.  It was my first experience of empowerment, because this was help in the form that really works.  Help that would teach me how to help myself.  To me, this is the kind of support that makes sense and is effective.

I certainly wanted support on my healing journey, but I sure as heck did not want to hear other people’s scary stories, fear thoughts, or depressing outlooks.  I wanted to hang out with a group of people who were determined to help themselves, but who just wanted a little assistance doing so.  I wanted a group of people who would remind me to believe in myself.  Who would say, “Yes, you can heal yourself, it is possible, keep at it, way to go!”

I never found my group, but I did find various people along the way who offered such positive words.  I did learn how to help myself.  I did heal.  It was possible.

Those are the messages I wanted other women to hear when I started writing this blog.  I wanted to make my dreamed-of support group a reality.  I wanted to create a place where mind-body tools were available, along with other people who were focused on them, for women who were struggling with vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other syndromes.  But I didn’t want to call it a vulvodynia support group or interstitial cystitis support group.  Gack.  We’re not trying to KEEP these syndromes!

So, instead, I have focused on the mind-body healing message.  A mind-body support group sounds so much better, doesn’t it?  We are supporting each other in strengthening our mind-body connections and creating health and joy.  Talk about hope!

Over the last couple of years I have worked to create different levels of support for you.  Besides the free support in the form of weekly blog posts and resources,  I have created an online support forum.  To keep it secure and make sure it’s exclusively for mind-body support, it’s only available to people who purchase the Healthy Mind Toolbox Audio Course.

And recently, I created the all-new Mind-Body Mastery Circles.  The first one kicks off next week, and is a great group of women who are about to experience the very support I dreamed of when I was struggling.  I am so excited!  I will coach and facilitate, but the real magic is going to happen because of the connection and support these women will feel from each other.  That is an incredibly powerful healing tool in it’s own right.

It feels great to see this dream realized, and to know that this is just the first of many more Mastery Circles to come.  These groups will be hope-based, and healing will take place on many different levels.   Healthy, helpful support happens here!  If this is something you’re looking for, it’s not too late to join us.  There are a couple spots left, and you can click here to get all the info and register.