2021 ended with the joyful addition of a sweet little boy to our growing family. My daughter Natalie and her Husband Dan brought Jackson into the world on December 21st. I was there at the birth, which was a wonderful gift! I was lucky that the restrictions at the hospital had opened up so that Natalie could have 2 people in the room with her. Those restrictions closed a few days after as the Omicron variant of Covid swept through the San Francisco Bay Area. I got caught in that wave of infection and came down with Covid on the 9th. It was rough, I gotta say. I’m better now, but not 100%. If you messaged me during the last few weeks and I’ve not replied, my apologies. I was too sick to read and reply.
While recovering from Covid, I dusted off the novel I wrote during my six-year setback and edited it, formatted it, designed a cover, and now it’s on Amazon! I’ve written a dozen self-help books over the years, but this is my first novel. (I’m now fifty pages into my second, a thriller.) I have ALWAYS wanted to write a novel. And, I did it! As you recover more and more, you’re going to make your dreams come true, too!
Covid was a wakeup call for me to evaluate my stress levels. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and it has caught up with me. I need to create more joy in my life! I am doing that by creating courses for people who want to increase their creativity in order to achieve their dreams and visions. I’m excited! I am working on a course for people who are mostly healed from benzo withdrawal who want to creatively explore what is next in their lives. Creativity has always been a passion of mine; I taught a class on the neuroscience of creativity at Stanford University a few years ago.
2022 marks my twelfth year in the benzo community. I’m a passionate voice here, as you probably know. I’m always researching and learning what can help people heal from a benzo injury. I’ve got a good feeling about the coming year. I think we are going to see some changes in the world with regards to Benzos. I’m optimistic at least.
I hope that 2022 is your year for healing. I hope you find ways to tap into your creativity to explore what’s next in your life. Who knows? Maybe you’ve got a novel inside of you just waiting to be written! I’d love to read it, if you do.
Keep healing, friends. Your best is just ahead. Life after Benzos is incredibly delicious. You’re going to get here. One day at a time.
Keep an eye out for a new video on my Youtube channel. I’ll be posting one soon.
If you want to check out my novel on Amazon,, here is the link.
I’ll say it again, this time in writing. Congratulations! You are an inspiration to all of us, as we recover and ponder our current and future limitations.
Sorry to hear about covid, Jenn. I’m just getting over it. Covid wasn’t near as bad as to what it did to my nervous system. Is you’re still intact? Awful. Congrats on your new book. When I feel a bit better I plan to order it.
Dr. Jenn,
Your amazing accomplishments inspire me to keep moving forward!
So glad you made it through Covid and are recovering well from that. Prayers that you continue on the healing path.
I too have a good feeling about 2022. I am doing much better than I was this same time last year.
As I move along through my healing it is evident more and more how stress does contribute to making symptoms worse.
I am really trying to tap into “more life” and “less withdrawal”.
If I was to go back over my journaling throughout my recovery, I know that is this is something I’ve always said: “The more I try to live my life and forget about withdrawal, the better I feel.” Of course this is easier said than done when there are days when I have an increase in symptoms, but I notice that as the months pass, and as I am having many more good days than bad, that this is easier to do. Therefore, that goal of: “trying to be more about life and less about withdrawal” becomes easier and easier with the passage of time. Through experience I notice that it is always better to keep that frame of mind.
I avoided the boards especially Benzo Buddies for about 3 months. Those were the best months that I had so far in this entire 32 month ordeal. About a week ago I ventured back to that forum, and I realized right away that it can be triggering. The boards are helpful for sure, but I think that everyone knows when it is time to take breaks…long breaks.
I know that the time I have put in has helped for sure, but there is definitely obvious relief and improvement in symptoms when I spend my days working on life, fun, creativity and try my best to put withdrawal to the back of my mind or forget about it altogether. I find that the more days that I can string together when I am not ruminating on the “what ifs” the more confident I become and the better I feel. And it is just not a “little bit better”. I feel significantly better when focusing on being in the moment, not future tripping (as you describe it Dr. Jenn) and when laughing, being with others, being kind and as you said in this blog– being creative.
All of this does not always come easy nor natural for me all of the time. Some days I have to work at it to stay in the moment and not get caught up in the irrational fear that withdrawal can sometimes cause, but it is always better to keep my eye on that goal.
Thank you for all that you do Dr. Jenn.
It is always inspiring to hear what you have going on!
Congrats on the sweet new grandbaby.
Be sure to rest more, take care of yourself, and heal from Covid.
–Shelly
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I’m 49 days benzo free, and I’m still dealing with intense fatigue and really bad vision. 😞 I’m typing this on my phone while I’m squinting. I’ve gone through aaaallll your blog posts, and they gave me a lot of hope. Thank you for sticking around in this space.
Sophie, congratulations on being benzo free! Good for you! Your vision will improve over time. Many of us struggled with impaired vision for awhile. Keep healing!
Thank you! I am much better and looking forward to an exciting year. Glad to hear you are moving more toward “real life” and “less withdrawal.” It does help.
Keep healing. You’re making greet progress.
Covid didn’t disturb my nervous system. I am fine. I hope your nervous system settles down soon.
thank you so much for your kind words. After benzo withdrawal, I am determined to wring over ounce of life I can out of my days. I am incredibly happy and deeply fulfilled. Life is good!
Congrats Jenn!
I just found you, Jennifer, and I am really enjoying reading your experiences and wisdom on your site. I was on benzos for over 40 years and I am going to be jumping off in a few months. I have been doing a slow taper for three whole years, with all of the nasty things that go with it. I have a wonderful supportive husband of 55 years that I love like crazy. I want to know does anyone fear the long term repercussions of benzos like I do, namely dementia? How can I get over or through that fear? Thank you.
Im blessed for you Jenn!
The heavens will open soon for me too…..you inspire me!
God is good!
Hi can you buy your novel in the UK
That’s a good question! I think it is available on Amazon in the UK. IF you read it, I hope you like the story. I enjoyed writing it.