Behind the Facade

Sharing a spur-of-the-moment update to keep myself accountable on a very, very, VERY big endeavor. As for the Slow Satudays email series I mentioned, I'm sure your inbox is filled to the brim, but if you want to subscribe to what's less of a newsletter and more of a weekly coffee date, I would love to have you. Please visit https://laurenbartleson.com/slow-saturdays to subscribe. As always, thank you for listening 💛

I’m fully vaccinated yet beyond nervous to go back to “real life” • TW: anxiety

This is one of the stories that I’m most scared to read out loud. I wrote and published the initial story without editing and haven’t read it since — until now. This is a heartfelt tribute to Lee Macmillan, a YouTuber who I had never met but spent six weeks grieving. I want to thank you for listening as I quite literally put my heart on my sleeve. If I can be the friend or support system to even one other person that Lee has been for me, it will be worth sharing my story. Take care of yourself. • TW: suicide, depression, anxiety, bullying

This story is very near and dear to my heart. It was the first post I ever shared on Medium, well before Behind the Facade was a thing, so it seems fitting that this is the first official episode. I had been holding this story inside for nearly 18 years without telling a soul how bad it really was. Writing this and then reading it aloud allowed me to start processing the long-term effects of extreme bullying in a way I didn't know I needed. • TW: bullying, cyberbullying, depression, anxiety, suicide and body dysmorphia caused by eating restriction

I want to officially introduce you to Behind the Facade. What was once Better than Therapy has become something even more powerful, raw and real. In Behind the Facade, I’m opening up in a way that I never thought I could or would, starting by sharing what I’m struggling with, how I cope, and what my goal for this podcast is. Thank you for listening. • TW: anxiety, depression, insomnia, burnout