Jennifer McNeil

Somewhere along the way, I lost my voice Through the heartache, the pain, the trauma, the noise Then one day I looked in the mirror and said, “This isn't me” I am not the person I used to be I lost my spark, my sense of identity And became someone I thought everyone else wanted me to be Then at the age of 50, I took back control Started living life on my terms, I was no longer dispensable Through this journey, the spark that once dimmed started to shine I could not turn back the hands of...

"But what I choose to leave behind are the experiences that no longer bring meaning to my life. Not every memory am I meant to carry . Only the ones that make me wiser, more resilient the ones that help me rewrite my story." Excerpt from Poem: Social Identity, Jennifer McNeil 2025 Growing up, I was the bigger-built girl in the family. It was always commented on, and those comments stayed with me. Even when they were made in jest, they dented my confidence. I always felt compared, measured,...

When I returned from Nevis, I felt refreshed and had a renewed sense of purpose. I didn't realise how much I needed that break until I returned. Don't get me wrong. The troubles, fears and challenges were still there, but I was able to put them into perspective. I returned with a clearer sense of direction and felt more grounded in myself. I returned in November. The cold days, dark nights and grey skies soon started to take their toll. Slowly, I began to feel myself sinking again. This time,...