Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Wesley.
Hi Karen , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the author of “I Write Hard Things,” a Substack newsletter that explores motherhood, marriage, healing, neurodivergence, mental wellness, self-care, Black culture, and politics. I am an Autism/Mental Advocate, Speaker, and Contributing Writer for the University of Texas, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, and Black Stack Magazine.
My most important role has been mother to three sons, two of them are now autistic adults. I started my career in autism and mental health advocacy working to support the educational and mental health needs of my sons with doctors, therapists, and our local school district (Leander ISD). My sons and I participated in teacher trainings, and other speaking engagements to create autism and mental health awareness, and insight into the autistic student population.
My writing began with what became an award-winning blog (2009-2022) where I documented my lived experience with mental health and parenting her autistic sons from their teen years through their transition into adulthood. I also created an online support community for parents of autistic children and adults.
Currently, I’m writing a memoir about the complexity of motherhood, mental health, and healing; I was recently accepted to a writing residency at Rosemary’s House in Greece this summer. It will be an incredible opportunity to work with best-selling authors and writers from around the world to solidify my manuscript for publication.
I am a 60-year-old California girl living just north of Austin with my husband and young adult son. I love to travel, especially to places that have an ocean, to immerse myself in visual art, culture, music, and wine.
The ongoing theme for my writing is to help others feel seen, heard, and less alone in the world. I am known for my candor and humor in storytelling.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The struggles were in keeping my sons alive and mentally healthy during their teen years. Being black, and autistic in a primarily white school district and community, feeling “othered” at a time when acceptance is so important, was extremely difficult and affected their mental health negatively.
I lost myself in the midst of ensuring that their needs were met. Losing my sense of self, and the constant anxiety that came along with teenagers with mood dysregulation and explosiveness, ravaged my nervous system. Home was their safe-place and I was their person. For years I played the role of in-house therapist, caregiver, referee –deescalating meltdowns, Helping them navigate their challenges in conjunction with my own left me in burnout and exhaustion.
It was writing, creativity and the autism parenting support group I created that finally led me to therapy. With an excellent therapist I began processing through my life and discovering the necessity of self-care and boundaries. I learned the tools to begin healing –journaling, asking myself important questions on the page. Boundaries helped me have room to breathe instead of always being the “party of yes” to everyone else, I began saying yes to myself.
My healing journey is what led me to writing the memoir in hopes to help other mothers heal.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a writer, creator, memoirist, mother, mental heath and autism advocate.
I think I answered this in previous questions. Please let me know if you need anything further.
The home base for my writing is https://karenwesleywriter.substack.com/ The title of my publication is “I Write Hard Things.”
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is growing up on the beaches, up and down the coast of California. My father wasn’t the most ideal dad, however, he introduced me to the love of the ocean. We lived in Los Angeles, frequenting the beach in Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach were our favorites. However taking trips up and down the coast introduced me to the beach life. I miss it everyday living here in Central Texas, especially in the heat of the summer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karenwesleywriter.substack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwesleywrites/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenWesleyWrites
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-wesley-3a417123/
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/support-a-mother-writer-with-a-writing-residency-in-greece
