Category: Uncategorized

Written by: @Youmatter2

When I was a kid I grew up in a home where I had all the things I needed but my dad was an alcoholic. I had very low self-esteem.

Years later I married someone who was verbally abusive. I didn’t know we are prone to choose relationships we grew up with. I didn’t know that low self-esteem impacts the quality of choices you make for yourself.

I learned so much about where my thoughts come from and how to change them so I could have a healthier, happy life. It worked!

I am remarried to the most wonderful, fun, loving person! You can create the life you want too regardless of what people say!

Auntidote is our parent brand and a play on the word antidote. Founded by a group of Aunts who aspire to be part of the antidote, or the cure, for the current state of our challenging and divided world. Auntidote is interested in purpose driven endeavors and strives to be solution based. We are laser focused on projects that support unity and help people. 

As we go through life, we knowingly or unknowingly encounter all kinds of people who are struggling with some kind of trauma; the victims in our society. Human beings that have been harmed, injured, tricked or duped as a result of a crime, accident or other event or action. Victims of a bully, abuse, broken heart, lost job, disease, etc. If you are reading this, you likely have had to overcome some of these challenges or just the everyday anxiety of living in challenging times. Sometimes, it can be hard to shake off.

@loveandmarriagehmmm

Q: When I first met my partner, they were sweet. After ten years of marriage and four children it feels like they don’t like me or anyone else, except the children. I love them but don’t I deserve more? What about me?

A: Consider this: It’s often said that a true test of someone’s character isn’t how they behave when things are going great, it’s how they behave when everything is going wrong. Open, honest communication is the key to a good partnership and bad communication or no communication can be the gateway to repress or suppress little thing after little thing until there isn’t any room to put one more thing. The next thing you know you’re screaming at each other over a remote control or that someone forgot to water a plant.

These little things steal our joy and negative emotions can build to a point where you don’t even recognize yourself or your relationship anymore. What is the root of the root of why your partner has changed over the years? Have you changed? Do you both express yourselves openly or has raising children become your whole life to the detriment of your relationship?

Unless abuse is involved, it is never to late to take the high road and course correct a relationship. Plan some time away from your children and have a “seek to understand” heart to heart talk. A real vulnerable and honest conversation where there is an understanding that feelings might get hurt. Leave space for that for each other. Do not react, listen and seek to understand. No tit for tat! Revisit how you met in the first place and those feelings you had for each other. Ask what they need or want from their life and be prepared to acknowledge and reward the honesty in order to work toward resolution. Be the bigger person because maybe they don’t know how too. You deserve to be happy and joyful as well, so make sure you do everything you can possibly think of – without sacrificing your own dignity – to keep your love as your partner. That way you’ll be able to sleep at night regardless of the result.

… with love

Written by: highestgood

Several years back I started having flashbacks of a childhood trauma I had repressed for most of my life. I told no one I was going through this or having these memories.

I started drinking heavily to sleep at night and my days started becoming harder and harder to manage. My work suffered and I eventually lost my job. Thankfully I had a large savings account to sustain me while out of work.

My friends and family finally began to see something was wrong and coerced my best friend to approach me about getting some help. I broke down and told my best friend about my memories. They gave me the longest, best hug I ever had in my life, offered to stay with me and also suggested I go to therapy to talk through what was happening and see if a therapist had any guidance.

The therapist suggested learning how to manage and transmute this trauma would be the first step to getting the drinking under control. I went to outpatient rehab for the drinking while maintaining my visits with the therapist. I am still seeing this therapist to this day.

My life has definitely taken a turn for the better. Recovering from repressed memories that pop up due to childhood trauma is very, very difficult to manage. I needed help and thanks to my friends and family I eventually got help before the alcohol turned into something even worse.

I am back in the workforce, seldom drink and feel stronger than ever as a survivor and as someone who has felt so much love all around me. I found a spiritual community where I am surrounded by people who come together and try to improve themselves and to better understand our purpose here on this planet. Although I would love a big fancy car and home, our purpose is not solely to drive the most expensive car or live in the largest house – I believe we are here mostly to love our neighbor and support people.

If you are struggling with childhood memories of a trauma, you are not alone. It is an epidemic. It takes courage and bravery to confront these things and work through them. Keep in mind you already won – you are here – now reach out for a hand and get some help. You did nothing wrong, and your trauma is not a life sentence. Life is too precious and way too short.

Written by: @drivebyfruiting

When I was younger, thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up it was always an entertainer – I wanted to be on stage and bring people joy. I went to state college and studied entrepreneurship/business, always keeping my dreams in my back pocket.

I was on a game show or two, an MTV production and some other minor accomplishments in entertainment before graduating and deciding what was next for me. I needed money so I figured a 9-5 was my only option and I would keep networking in entertainment simultaneous to bringing home a paycheck.

I found myself in sales, first door to door, then retail – finally landing in corporate with a pretty good gig. I did OK but my eyes were always on a bigger prize being the world’s best entertainer! I was half in at work and had the gall to complain to my manager when they dared tell me so.

Fast forward 5 years after deciding to dedicate myself to the moment I was in and the position I was in, I found that working hard and finding success helping people was its own reward. I was still helping people, not making them laugh or in an entertaining way all the time, but helping and that often brings a smile to a face.  

I found my way to Presidents Club multiple years in a row now, bringing friends and family on tropical vacations and enjoying time together. You can still find me at local karaoke bars or amateur stand-up shows fulfilling the entertainment side of me. I have found a home in sales, however, and am able to share my success with those I love and see the joy on their faces. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than that.

@DogsCatsLivin2gether

Q: Every year I’m single on Valentines Day, I feel like a loser. I tried hanging out with other single friends this year but that only made me think that my friends are also losers. Any words of wisdom?

A: We’ll give it a shot! Every day you wake up and look in the mirror, remind yourself every decision you have ever made has brought you to exactly where you are. Be accountable to your life and to your decisions. Own them all, the good ones and the bad ones. Remember, there are no guarantees in life, you aren’t promised anything, but you do have a purpose. When you allow your decisions to be led with love and not fear, a life closer to your purpose usually follows. Find your joy! Compare yourself and your life to no one else, because we don’t know what their purpose is. Life can also be hard! As long as you make the best decisions you can at the time you’re making them, be proud of your life, even if it has led to you being single. Maybe it’s your purpose, maybe it’s just for a reason or a season. Btw, being single can be empowering and a sign you know your worth. Sounds to me like you have a pretty great group of friends who know their worth as well.

… with love