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spring 2023 • issue 9 • wellbeing
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Journal
A Dwelling Place For Childless Women In Every Season
tutumjournal.com
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The Other Path
CONTENTS
Life coach Carrie Brauninger expounds on the psychological impact of involuntary childlessness and how therapy can help.
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Meditation teacher Bindi Shah taps into the power of daily meditation and how it can improve your physical and mental health.
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My Journey To Extended Singleness
Life purpose coach Naomi Geidel on being single and childless, and transitioning back to a place of wellbeing.
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The Power Of Daily Meditation
TUTUM JOURNAL spring 2023
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After Life After You: Reflections Of Spousal Bereavement
Author and perinatal loss coach Sasha Kershaw Reid delves into love, grief, loss, and healing after the death of a spouse.
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Professional Burnout: A Self-Care Plan For Mental Health Providers Therapist Katie Maynard gives empathetic advice on how therapists and counselors can nurture clients while managing their own mental health.
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Declutter Your Mind Worksheet Practical questions to gain insight toward reducing your emotional and mental clutter.
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Healing Affirmations For Your Body And Mind A self-reflection on how to cultivate a healthy body and emotions.
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in every issue Page 4
Healing Grief Through Yoga
CONTRIBUTORS
Yoga teacher Veronica Santini offers practical tools on how to transform loss into physical self-awareness and deeper healing.
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The Tie That Binds Us Psychologist Adriana Castro on the importance of representation and solidarity through shared identity.
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The Curious Case Of Involuntary Childlessness Yoga practitioner Sarah Chamberlin examines the emotional lives of childless not by choice women and the health impacts of life-altering loss.
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Coming Home To Your Body Embodiment teacher and coach Sarah Jane Smith discusses befriending your body through mindfulness and embodied yoga.
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EDITOR’S REFLECTION Editor-In-Chief Jobi Tyson reflects on the magazine’s second anniversary and improving mental wellbeing in the new normal.
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TUTUM SURVEY Readers reveal what they think about key subjects relevant to the childless community.
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GAME CHANGER Spotlighting the achievements of trailblazer Katy Seppi. By Nina Plummer
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MEDICAL AWAKENING Calm The Fire Within: Natural Approaches To Chronic Inflammation.
3 Ways To Center The Needs Of Your Pets
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Dog behavioral therapist Stephanie Keesey-Phelan reveals how to better understand your pets and how to read their cues and signals.
NAVIGATING AGING
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Cover Story A spotlight on childless female representation in therapy and wellness, wholly dedicated to prioritizing mental health and wellbeing for the childless not by choice community.
How To Nourish Your Life For The Better In Midlife. By Sheri Johnson
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BUILDING BRIDGES A Q&A with professional organizer Tracy McCubbin on decluttering your home and making space for happiness.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 Tutum Journal™ (ISSN 2766-9580) is published quarterly by Tutum Global Childlessness Alliance. For more information about Tutum Journal, please visit us at www.tutumjournal.com, or email us at info@tutumjournal.com. www.tutumjournal.com
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FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jobi Tyson
EDITORIAL Charlie Bishop Simone Edwards
CONTRIBUTORS Carrie Brauninger Adriana Castro Sarah Chamberlin Naomi Geidel Sheri Johnson Stephanie Keesey-Phelan Katie Maynard Nina Plummer Sasha Kershaw Reid Veronica Santini Bindi Shah Sarah Jane Smith
© 2023 Tutum Global Childlessness Alliance. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in part, or whole, without prior written permission, excepting brief quotations in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusion in magazines, newspapers, blogs, or limited excerpts strictly for personal use. Designed in the U.S.A. DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of Tutum Global Childlessness Alliance, disclaiming any liability to any party for the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or availability of the material contained in this publication. Any medical information is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice.
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TUTUM JOURNAL spring 2023
EDITOR'S REFLECTION + FEEDBACK A Road Map to Improve Wellbeing in the New Normal
It’s hard to believe I’m seeing 2023 on the calendar, and yet here we are – that time of year when the slate feels clean. If the years since the pandemic started have taught us anything, it’s that emotional wellbeing is an essential part of overall health. The COVID-19 crisis not only affected individuals' physical health, but it also significantly impacted their mental health and wellbeing — and women largely bore the brunt.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JUSTIN BOWENS
Marking our magazine’s second anniversary, we have seen powerful and unapologetic childless women grace our magazine cover and over 70 writers challenged readers with personal narratives and expert advice to improve mental wellness by incorporating self-reflection practices. The stories in this issue remind us that wellbeing extends to all elements of one’s life – the practical, the emotional, the interpersonal, which in turn affects one’s relationships with others and self. From the positive effects of daily meditation to navigating life single and childless, to new mindset routines, in this issue, we pushed the boundaries and expanded the definition of wellbeing and various ways to achieve it.
With gratitude,
Wellbeing is also giving flowers to childless female representation in therapy and wellness, all who bear witness to our pain, while empowering the emotional wellbeing of the childless community. Jobi Tyson, MBA @tutumjournal @childlesswomen Facebook.com/childlesswomen YouTube.com/childlesswomen
So, as we get settled in the new year, let’s allow ourselves to show up for ourselves – in all its forms. Up next: Our summer issue’s theme will be Legacy. We’re seeking diverse childless female voices and subject matter experts. Deadline for submissions is March 21, 2023. For submission details, visit TutumJournal.com.
TUTUM SURVEY
WHAT YOU TOLD US To carefully curate each issue’s theme to support and strengthen the mental well-being of involuntarily childless women, we asked our readers: I am satisfied with my emotional wellbeing.
43% Yes
57% No
I have committed to improving my emotional wellbeing.
94% Yes
6% No
“Wellness encompasses a healthy body, a sound mind, and a tranquil spirit. Enjoy the journey as you strive for wellness.” — Laurette Gagnon Beaulieu www.tutumjournal.com
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