Hey y'all!
I’m Monique Jackson also known as “Mo,” the founder of Real Talk T.Y.M.E. LLC.
From early childhood, I began my journey through trauma, abuse, and loss. Growing up, I lacked coping skills to deal with my experiences and struggled to find my own value. As I got older, I finally reached a point where I gave myself permission to reach out for help.
The road was not easy. For years, I’d suffered with:
- Childhood Trauma
- Sexual/Physical Abuse
- Mental Abuse
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Anxiety
- OCD
and so much more...
My negative thoughts had deep roots in my mind and my heart.
My negative thoughts had deep roots in my mind and my heart. I felt helpless. I felt trapped inside this shell of a person. It was like there was a mountain between the person life produced, and the person I dreamt of being.
Mental illness can be isolating, can’t it? Without the right tools, even something as “simple” as one stressful day can feel lonely and overwhelming, which can grow into bigger problems.
Reaching out for help can be a daunting task itself.
So many questions and doubts come up…
What if they judge me?
Will this hurt my career?
Does this mean I'm Crazy?
What will my friends and family think of me?
Listen, family, the doubts are endless.
I finally gave myself permission to reach out for professional group and one-on-one therapy. Over the years, they have shown me transformative mindset shifts, coping mechanisms, and the power of community. I don’t regret it for a minute, but there was still something missing.
I treasured being able to listen to others’ experiences; I felt less alone. However, whether in a group or one-on-one setting, I rarely felt enough comfort to openly share my experiences. At times there was this feeling of disconnection and loneliness.
This is why I built the Real Talk T.Y.M.E. community. It hurts my heart to see people struggling without a supportive community that can relate to their experiences. As a veteran and woman of color, I saw peers and coworkers isolating themselves instead of reaching out for what they need because of the lies in their minds saying “they’re going to judge you,” or “you can learn to fix this on your own.” Creating this close-knit community became a non-negotiable. This is a safe space for people to share their stories, experiences, and thoughts free of barriers, stereotypes, and judgment. I invite you to give yourself permission for admission. This community is intentional about showing love, support, gratitude, and positivity to everyone here. We are a family.
Together, we feel, heal, and deal. Real talk!
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference! Just for TODAY!
For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
Monique's Reading List
by COL Angela M. Odom (US Army, Retired)
by (Gunnery Sergeant (RET.)) Tee Marie Hanible with Denene Miller
by Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula
by Sakinah Bunch Foreword by Omar Bunch