Blog
The Midlife Maze – Navigating Life’s Uncertainties with Calm and Grace
It is said in psychology that a mid life crisis...
Read MoreHard Truths and Soft Lies – The Stories I Tell Myself to Keep Going
I’ve been trying to give myself some hard truths over...
Read MoreHow My 9-Year-Old Self Would Vote- A Reflection on Childhood Ideals
Have you ever wondered how your nine your old self...
Read MoreThe Wind – Embracing the Chaos and Finding Peace
For all those who feel blown down by the wind...
Read MoreGet Back on the Horse – Overcoming Pain and Finding Joy Again
Ironic that my last blog I wrote was called Finding...
Read MoreFinding Joy in Life’s Simple Moments – Embracing Everyday Happiness
Although joy may be found in diamond earrings or a...
Read MoreYou Can’t – A Poem on Embracing Self-Worth Beyond Comparison
You can’t tell a mountain it is high enough You...
Read MoreThe Good Old Days – How Nostalgia Can Blur Truth and Progress
Do you ever wonder how you got somewhere? Like you...
Read MoreWill Anyone Remember Us in 100 Years? The Truth About Our Impact
I’m struggling with some sadness, some weights behind my eyes...
Read MoreThe Unspoken Reality of Endometriosis – My 14-Year Struggle
I have wanted to write about endometriosis for a long...
Read MoreI met my 20-year-old self for coffee – She left with Hope
I met my 20-year-old self for coffee. I wore the...
Read MoreThe Weight of Winter and the Weight of the World
It’s dark morning and night When it’s not dark I’m...
Read MoreMental Health Is Not a Luxury – Why Stigma Still Kills
I saw something on TikTok the other day that bothered...
Read MoreReclaiming Myself in 2025 When 2024 Tried To Break Me
Sometimes I feel pain above my right eye, it feels...
Read MoreThe Truth about love – A Personal Reflection
Today I want to ask you all questions about love....
Read MoreWalking a Tightrope: Balancing Mental and Physical Health – Part 3
I needed to go to Costco before we left Regina...
Read MoreWalking a Tightrope: Balancing Mental and Physical Health – Part 2
Our trip home from Belize was just as eventful if...
Read MoreWalking a Tightrope: Balancing Mental and Physical Health – Part 1
My health feels like I am constantly trying to walk...
Read MoreThe Climb – Lessons from a Morning of Healing
This past summer, I had what I would consider a...
Read MoreLessons From Burnt Soup – Overcoming Regret and Embracing Change
I have loved being able to write. It’s helped me...
Read MoreA Poem on Aging, Self-Acceptance, and Growth
I’m looking in the mirror trying to recognize you You...
Read MoreBaby it’s Cold Outside – The bustle of the season
It’s so cold today that you could freeze your panorkies...
Read MoreI Blew Up This Week – Regret, Self-Reflection, and Learning to Do Better
I blew up at someone this week. You know the...
Read MoreSocial OCD and the Exhausting Spiral of Overthinking
Have you ever written something to someone and then they...
Read MoreQuieting the Storm – Why My Harm OCD Eases When I Travel
I am 49 today. I’m thinking about all the wisdom...
Read MoreThe Cycle of Pain and Gratitude – Lessons from the Tough Weeks
I had a rough couple of weeks and I really...
Read MoreInner Battles with Self-Image – Learning to Love Myself
Fat rolls over my pants With my black shirt it...
Read MoreMichelle J.E. Temple has a diverse professional background, with experience spanning multiple industries. Most recently, she served as the Corporate Accounting Manager for a Credit Union. Prior to that, she held the position of Chief Operations Officer at a public accounting firm. Throughout her career, Michelle has authored numerous presentations, analyses, and reports. One of her most notable achievements includes writing an Internal Audit Manual for the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor during her tenure at Ernst & Young in Australia.
She has been married to her husband, Kevin, for thirty-one years, and together they have three children: Kierra, Ava, and Brant. This is her first book.
Book Reviews
I could not put your book down. As someone who has struggled with mental health her whole life I could relate to so much of your writing. I also hid my struggles for many years and I remember when I finally started opening up about them so many people said to me ‘but you always seem so happy’… that just goes to show that we never know what someone is going through or who has a smile on their face but is actually dying on the inside. I also completed 40 TMS treatments but still continue the rollercoaster of depression and anxiety. It is hard to not feel envious of those who don’t have these same struggles as us and don’t have to fight to feel joy every day. I am so proud of you for taking the plunge and not only writing down your thoughts, but making the choice to share your book with the world in hopes of helping others. Your book truly does inspire me. My message to others is to always be kind…. And know that you’re never alone.
Carissa A.
I read it until way later than I should have because I wanted to finish it. May have dropped my phone on my face once or twice. It was interesting in part because I know you, but also because a lot of what you were talking about are things I am unfamiliar with and found very informative and heartbreaking.
You could see your struggle, your joy, your dedication to your family and the frustration with the medical system and your frustration when you couldn’t be who you wanted to be. I would recommend this book.
I am familiar with the way you come across – fun, dedicated, love your family, interesting to talk to. But to know that all of that exists with this incredible struggle. I found the way that you described your suicidal ideations totally changed my thoughts on that. You mentioned that we often think people who choose suicide are selfish and I definitely have thought that. To hear you explain how you felt and how uncontrollable it was made me look at it differently. It very much reinforced that you don’t know what people are going through and to be kind. And that goes for you and your family. You don’t know what the family of someone dealing with mental health struggles are going through.
Michelle W.
It was a very fascinating deep dive into how your brain can really work against you and in some cases override who you actually are. I have also dealt with suicidal ideation, and I felt so seen and validated. It’s a hard thing to explain to people who have never experienced it. The fear of being seen as a bad parent/spouse/employee etc. because of a health issue was also very relatable and validating. I think personal stories are always effective at removing stigma, and can help people applying the stigma to themselves realize they are not alone. I love that you were able to answer the question of who you are at the end to include all aspects of you.
Cara H.
Wow, Michelle.
I was crying real tears by the second treatment chapter and again at page 36.
Several other spots had me reading through the tears in my eyes.
A page-turner? YES! I only paused at one spot to get into my comfy pajamas and make myself a cup of tea. I finished the read in one sitting.
I could definitely feel your frustration with our wonderful medical system, as well as the love you have for your family. Not to mention confusion, pain, uncertainty.
So many people struggle with so much and never say anything to anyone. Truly, the more stories like this that can be shared, the more it may encourage others to speak up or to seek help. So yes, I do think it will help. You just never know where the tipping point will be.
Judi W.
I finished reading your book by Saturday morning. I could not put it down and for the record I am not a reader, so I think you did a fantastic job.
I was very captivated it and found it so interesting, like I said I couldn’t put it down. It was so raw and real and brought so much awareness to me and I could relate to other circumstances in life that brought so much clarity to me.
I could absolutely feel what you were writing. I could feel the suffering that you have gone through, the need to get help and bring awareness and how you want to protect your family so you’d rather take the pain on yourself than have them suffer.
I would absolutely recommend it to read. I know you said this was private so I never told anyone, but I have some close friends from BC that I grew up with and we talk lots and I am sure they would love to read it. I do think it will help with the mental health stigma.
Leslianne H.
I definitely found it easy to read and tough to put down. Very captivating!!
I could definitely feel your feeling and at time felt myself feeling anxious with you. Had alot of emotions while reading it and definitely had many tears as well. Definately would be a highly recommended book.
It definitely opened my eyes up to the mental health challenges and made me look at it through a different lense. The way you described the suicidal thoughts and how you really had no control at that moment let me somewhat understand how people can take their own life… as someone who has thankfully never gone through that, it is hard to understand. I always understood it was an illness that those of us that don’t have to deal with will never fully understand, but reading your book sure shed some light on what you have gone through and what you do have to deal with. I still have soooo much to learn!
Jackie G.