Writer. Wellness. Personal essays. Social commentary.
I started writing when I was a teenager.
Angst-filled stream of consciousness on school-lined paper. I also scribbled down my teen rants, fears and dreams in a little red leather diary.
Writing was my way of dealing with growing up, with the chaos of divorced parents and a far-from the-Brady Bunch blended family. I coped on paper and by “painting a fake smile,” as I called it in my early poems.
Decades later when I became a new mother, writing helped me process feelings of ambivalence, not about loving my daughter, but about my identity when I left the workforce. (See my interview on that topic below).
I wrote about feelings that at the time, mothers really weren’t talking about. The darker, grittier side of motherhood.
I wrote about the spectrum of natural emotions I have become obsessed to accept rather than vilify.
From that space came my compulsion to write what I learned, loved and loathed about the experience of being human.
It starts with the truth.
Unpolished. Uncomfortable at first.
It starts with being radically honest with ourselves (and with people we trust). Honesty takes a risk. Honesty is terrifying.
But gradually the chokehold of trying to pretend you’re someone you’re not comes off.
As humans we share traits born of the instinct to survive and to thrive. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Food, shelter, safety, a need for love, validation and belonging.
But we’re also individuals, spectacular in our breadth and depth of interests, challenges and pathways to finding peace, joy, balance and God knows — less angst.
The ones who love you will love you despite — or probably because of who you are. The others, well, they never mattered much anyway.
*Before I became a mom I was in market research, marketing and advertising for 20 years. I attended Rollins College and the University of Florida with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in marketing.
Interview
Ambivalence in Motherhood Part 1: When You’re a Different Kind of Mom
Ambivalence in Motherhood Part 2: Changing the Definition of Selfish
Writing
Columnist – Contributor: Whole Life Times Magazine
Orlando Sentinel – guest columnist
AKA Mom Magazine Essay: “Fifty Shades of Denial?”
Susan Liddy International – Emotional Intelligence for Women
The First Step Magazine (U.K.)
Continuing education
- Stress-related disorders – Institute for Brain Potential
- Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion and Mood – Institute for Brain Potential
- Food for Thought: How Nutrients Affect Mental Health and the Brain – Institute for Brain Potential
- Theory & Practice of Creative Writing
- A Writer’s Guide to Descriptive Settings
- Focus on Writing the Personal Essay
Testimonials
Laura is an exceptional writer who comes up with innovative spins on any topic she tackles. She is a go-getter and always meets her editorial deadlines. She is a pleasure to work with as an editor. ~ Sabrina James, former editor, Playground Magazine.
I ran across Laura Owens one day as I was researching data for healthy living. I was ASTOUNDED by the depth of knowledge and VALUE that Laura offered on her websites. So, invited her to guest blog and she said “YES!” ~ Susan Liddy, Life, Biz & Body Benevolence Coach, Author, Speaker. , MA, PCC, CCC
I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how impressed I was with your latest article on autism — genetics and environmental triggers. I read every article on autism that gets published in the Health & Wellness or Parenting sections, and this rates far above the rest I’ve seen lately. I absolutely love how you handled it. The insights were good, and your article was very well written. ~ Vickie Ewell, Feature Writer Suite101: Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome.
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