PinnedMember-only6 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your WritingSimple techniques for planning out your articles. — Before I found Medium, I relaunched my writing career by building my own website. It’s what got me back into writing, helped me to push my limits, and I learned a lot from it in the past year and a half. But it’s focused on a single niche. And while…Writing6 min read
Published in The Orange Journal·PinnedMember-onlySelf-Care is More Than Face Masks & Bubble BathsHow to practice the six types of self-care. — Imagine this. You come home from a long day at work and draw a hot bubble bath, sipping on your favorite glass of wine, taking in the calming aroma of lavender-scented candles, while rehydrating your skin with a new face mask and let the stresses of your day melt away. …The Orange Journal7 min read
PinnedMember-onlyHow to Stop Negative Self-TalkJourneying through self-compassion. — It wasn’t until an evening session with my therapist in 2019 that it occurred to me how negatively I talked to myself. I was very new to therapy and was still hesitant to dig deep, when a self-deprecating joke bounced out of my mouth nonchalantly. My therapists’ eyebrows nearly leapt…Self Love5 min read
PinnedMember-onlyHow The Sims Inspires My CreativityI was born anxious. — As hard as I’ve tried there’s not a moment in my life where I don’t remember my anxiety being present. I’ve even given her a gender since she’s a part of me. …Anxiety Relief5 min read
May 5Member-onlyFinding Fuel in Your FearsSo, it’s been a minute. — Writers have lulls and I’ve come to terms with and accepted that it’s unavoidable. I can’t force myself as a mental health advocate to write about fake positivity and overcoming obstacles when I’m on the other side of the screen facing my own brick wall of doubt. When I first…Fear4 min read
Published in The Orange Journal·Mar 31Member-onlyFacing My Anxiety Instead of Letting it Consume MeHello, my anxiety sucks. — This week has felt particularly stressful compared to my normal day-to-day anxiety. If you read my previous post, Ladies, Call Your GYN, then you know I’ve been battling ovarian cysts. Ladies, Call Your GYN Seeking out medical help instead of suffering through it.halesjales.medium.com I went back for a check-up in February, expressed I was still experiencing some pain, so she scheduled me in…The Orange Journal4 min read
Mar 23Member-only9 Shows to Help You Wind Down this WeekendGrab a snack, a blanket, possibly some tissues, and cozy up. — I’ve had a hard time this week finding something to write about revolving around mental health. I’ve been tired, stressed by personal life demons, and finding myself not wanting to dig deep into anything. So I bring to you today a listicle of shows to wind down to this weekend…Listicles7 min read
Published in The Orange Journal·Mar 9Member-onlyWays to Protect Your Mental Health in Times of Crisis“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — Albus Dumbledore — Every morning I wake up, turn my salt lamps on, get coffee and get back in bed to watch the morning news. But Monday, the news jolted me back into the reality of a world full of crisis and devastation. The coverage went straight into breaking news from over the…The Orange Journal5 min read
Mar 2Member-onlyRealizing My Co-DependencyThe fine line between empathy and co-dependency. — I recently wrote an article titled “Empath Mantras to Unlearn Unhealthy Habits” that has now been sitting in my drafts for about a week. I’ve hesitated posting the article due to my gut feeling that hasn’t been sitting well along with hearing this small, quiet voice in the back of…Mental Health7 min read
Feb 15Member-onlySeven Ways to Rest, Reset and RechargeThe burnout is real. — I’m almost at my two-year mark as a remote writer and I just hit my two-month mark as a writer on Medium. I never expected being a writer to be easy. There’s nothing easy about it. …Burnout5 min read
