Healing Through Art and Navigating No Contact

In this episode of Finding OK, I interview Polish LGBTQ+ comic artist Monika, best known for her series 'My Secret Lesbian Comics.' Monika shares her journey as a survivor of child abuse and discusses how she processes her trauma and finds healing through her side project, 'Self-pity Social Club.' We discuss the impact of her abusive mother, the decision to go no contact, and navigating relationships within her family afterwards. Monika also shares some powerful tools from therapy, offers advice to other survivors, and talks about the importance of creativity and friendship in her healing journey. I love Monika's work and I'm so grateful I got to speak with her! Tw/Cw: Child abuse, PTSD, depression, suicide, and strong language.Episode Notes:Monika's Links: https://linktr.ee/mysecretlesbiancomics?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae7yjg_9oQIvXxzLaaJe7wkVOTud8vqZX3JaqAaWaWBpiYc-EEZZKRhtKKmnQ_aem_QZxxyNZ_UQo6e53MXnGuugSelf-pity Social Club: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/self-pity-social-club/list?title_no=788807Finding OK: https://www.finding-ok.com/Hecate's Links: https://linktr.ee/FindingOKSupport the Podcast and become a Patreon member!https://www.patreon.com/HecateFindingOKFinding OK is funded entirely by generosity of listeners like you!https://www.finding-ok.com/support/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection00:55 Welcome to Finding OK01:12 Meet Monika: Polish LGBTQ+ Comic Artist03:29 Trigger Warnings and Support04:41 Interview Begins: Monika's Journey04:57 Navigating Family Dynamics06:11 Generational Shifts in Mental Health12:29 Celebrating Compliments and Self-Care16:22 The Birth of a Comic Artist27:38 Self-Pity Social Club: A Personal Project36:29 Sisterly Bonding Over a Difficult Mother36:48 Financial Manipulation and Emotional Abuse38:07 Moving to England and Financial Struggles39:02 Discovering Mother's Deceit39:41 Manipulative Pity Tactics47:27 The Wedding Day Incident50:51 The Fake Suicide Attempt58:29 Cutting Ties and Setting Boundaries01:01:22 Family Dynamics and Childhood Abuse01:07:45 Validating Experiences and Healing01:11:52 Family Party Drama01:12:10 Unwanted Attention01:12:32 Confrontation and Realization01:13:48 Family Dynamics and Tensions01:17:02 Listener Questions01:17:46 Navigating No Contact01:19:17 Handling Family Events01:24:00 Therapy and Healing01:32:43 Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts01:40:53 Queer Joy and Creativity01:43:44 Final Thoughts and FarewellSupport the show