We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Stone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission through my writing has always been to normalize the stigma around mental illness and to remind others who suffer that they’re not alone in the way they feel. I choose to openly share the realities of what it’s like to live with eating disorders, bipolar, and depression, but also provide a message of hope. I want others who come across my work to know that we’re all doing the best we can with what we have. That we can find a light through the darkened storm of life.

Lauren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In 2018 while standing ontop of the snow-capped Cordillera Blanca range in the Andes at 15,617 feet above sea level in Huaraz, Peru, my entire life changed. I knew in that moment after almost a year of backpacking throughout Europe and South America that something was wrong. I needed help and had no idea how to ask for it.

For the last five years, I’ve dedicated myself to recovery. Recovery from eating disorders and learning how to manage bipolar disorder. I’ve always struggled with my mental health, but I never had the language or the ability to truly share how deep my issues were. When the initial lockdown of the pandemic happened, I started reading about others who shared their own struggles with mental health openly with the world. I felt compelled to share my story. To my surprise, it was welcomed with open arms and many people saying the words, “Me too.”

That year I created “Your Wild Journal” and the following year published my first novel, “In Body I Trust.” I’m now currently working on my second book which I hope to have released after the new year. I share content on my social media channels that speaks to mental illness and continue the conversation to provide a safe space for my community to have a voice even when they can’t find the words themselves.

I’m by far most proud of my book, “In Body I Trust” as it was the first time hundreds of readers were able to read my story about my struggles. It was also the first time I ever shared about how I almost took my own life. But from this book came so much healing and growth I didn’t realize I needed. It connected me with so many individuals who are creatives, writers, and people who struggle as I have.

I think what sets me apart it that I always choose to show up for myself first. I don’t feel like I have to be “on” all the time since what I do isn’t my full-time career and is more how I process emotions and connect with other people. And in putting myself first, it helps me to show up for others fully. There may be weeks where I don’t share anything at all because I understand the boundaries I need to maintain a healthy relationship with my recovery and with myself. When I do show up to the online community, my cup is full. I’m able to share light, hope, truth, vulnerability, and authenticity.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I’ll never forget the moment when I received a message from a reader of my first book shortly after it was published. I opened up a message on Instagram and she told me she was grateful for me sharing my story. She said my words are what gave her the strength to seek help and start working with a therapist. The fact that my work and my journey of healing helped at least one other person in this world is something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. I now stay in touch with this person regularly as she holds a special place in my heart.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

While my audience isn’t as large as others out there, I will say that the community I have built on social media is founded on authenticity, vulnerability, and connection. I have conversations with these people because social media requires a two-way dialogue. People want to see the real you and not one that’s painted pretty shades of vibrant colors, or at least that’s how it’s been for me. Being open and honest about my struggles creates connection which I find to be the most important part about social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hellolaurenstone.com
• Instagram: @hellolaurenstone
• TikTok: @hellolaurenstone

Image Credits
Solo headshot of me in white dress is by Ashley Garcia of Branding + Photo GVL