We were lucky to catch up with Cathyrn Eta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cathyrn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most meaningful project has to be my newest published and guided journal, Spill It, Sis. Spill It, Sis is actually a revamp of a journal(My Daily Talks of Blessings, Gratitude & Happiness) I wrote a few years ago to help remind me why I am meant to be here every single day, especially when the world gets complicated, cold, and frustrating. I needed to remember why today was a great day; even the most minor things can put a smile on your face. That was personal and all mine. Then I thought, why keep it to myself? I should share it with the world, especially with my target audience, which is other black women ages 25 and up, although it would be great for an 18 and up audience as well. So, I got to work, and I kept the same overall theme: three simple and powerful prompts that will have you thinking about something positive about your day. Even when the day is bad, you will be reminded to think back and find something that makes you remember why you’re here. I also added some free-writing space because I love free writing. After all, it lets you add more to your thoughts about your week and anything you want to explore. In fact, this idea (free writing) came to me because I am a big fan of Carl Rogers, who founded Person-Centered Therapy, which puts you in the driver’s seat of your therapy rather than your therapist being in the driver’s seat.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into writing via reading. I am a huge avid reader and love everything about fictional worlds. However, in 2017, a couple of years after graduating from college and trying to figure out life after college while going through depression, I wrote an affirmation book titled Cat’s Book of Wisdom: 50 random, funny, and semi-relatable life sayings and published it on Amazon. I had no idea about self-publishing before that, but I knew that writing these affirmations would help my mental health, and it was a fun project. I have since taken it down and will be revamping that book as well in the future. That first book would be the catalyst for Spill It, Sis journal on Barnes & Noble and other future affirmation/journal books to come.

Several years later, I secured contributing credits for magazines including Grey Journal, Black Doctor Org, and, most recently, Pretty Pages (a literary newsletter). I also hold two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Publishing, both of which have further supported my writing endeavors. In the end, I hope to keep reaching others through my journals and affirmation book as a way to put more focus on mental health because, as someone who is diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, I am always working on how to improve my mental health in conjunction with therapy. I want those who might not be able to afford treatment at the time to have ways to express themselves and release their feelings in healthy and positive ways. Being a Mental health and self-care advocate is a fantastic feeling, and I hope to continue reaching as many people as I can on this journey.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, there is. My mission with these guided journals and affirmation books is to put more focus on healing, self-care, and mental health. I want individuals, especially Black women and men, to learn how best to protect their inner peace and improve their mental health in ways that promote positive, structured well-being. These tools will help them navigate life, especially during trials and tribulations, so that they won’t resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms. You truly only get one life, and learning how to live fully and in the present starts with your mind and spirit. So, I will continue to feed mine as well as other minds, bodies, and spirits, one published item at a time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My mental diagnosis and upbringing are what kept me resilient. Being diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) has been challenging to say the least. Back when I was a kid, I used to spend hours alone in my room reading and not wanting to be bothered, not wanting to go to school, and I never knew why. My parents never knew either; it was just my thing, lol. It wasn’t until college when I took a Psychology course and then turned that into my major that I learned that I had depression. Even then, I didnt pay too much attention to it. I just shouldered through, and I mostly did well because I have functional depression, which means that, for the most part, I can function for a while without it impeding my life until I hit a wall.

Then I started taking my mental health seriously and trying out different therapists until I found the right one. She is now my current therapist. She has helped me learn better ways to cope, recognize signs, and navigate when the times get rough. The tools and routines I’ve gained through therapy have been vital in helping me stay resilient and hopeful during tough times. I want others to know that seeking help and learning coping strategies can make a real difference. Along the same lines is my upbringing as the baby of the family and the peace keeper, whose parents were on drugs, going through homelessness, and seeing violence in the home. It definitely gave me the push to want better out of life and to remember not to take life for granted. Eventually, my parents got off drugs during my adulthood, and I was proud of them. But I was always, and sometimes still am, the peacemaker, which can be mentally exhausting, but I do love helping others see things from other perspectives as much as I can.

Contact Info:

• Other: As of now, I don’t have an author page, but I’ll set one up and try to get it to you before this is published. My Instagram is more focused on pleasure reading than on my personal author journey, so I won’t include it unless you think your readers would love to follow my reading journey. Let me know.

Image Credits

The last two images are promo flyers, and Author Keira N. James designed them so that the credit will go to her.