MEET MADI

If i had to describe somebody as a light in my life i wouldn’t have to look any further than our next guest. Watching you evolve has truly been a joy and i can’t wait to see where you go next in life. Your personal journey with mental health is so inspiring. You’ve not only helped me deal with my own personal battles but made me feel it’s okay. Thank you again for taking the time out to join in on this new segment for bydominicjames. For those of you joining in on the conversation Madi is someone i look to when seeking not only personal advice but artistic advice. Her aesthetic is truly like no other.

Where do you get this creative side from?

MADI: First of all, thank you so much for that intro! I’m so excited to be featured on bydominicjames and am so proud of the work you’ve done on the brand! As for my creative side, I think most of the credit has to go to my mom, Diana. She would deny it - but she’s incredibly creative. Growing up we did so many crafts and fun projects together. I started to love the process of creating something and being proud of a finished project at a young age.

Do you find that trying all these hobbies like building furniture or designing clothes is a form of therapy for you?An outlet to put all your feelings into.

Absolutely! When I’m in the zone creating something, it’s all I’m thinking about. It doesn’t leave space in my brain to worry, overthink, have anxieties. I think I’ve heard this being referred to as “in the flow” before - a mental state where you’re performing an activity while being fully immersed, energized and focused on that one thing. When you get into the flow, the things you’re stressing about take a back seat for a minute.

Congratulations on over two years of sobriety by the way! How does it feel to have come this far?

Thank you! It feels amazing. I am so grateful for my sobriety, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. I think my first year was filled with uncertainty but determination. I wasn’t sure what would change in my social life or social circle, but I was determined to stick with sobriety. Year two has been way more fun! I’m so comfortable with my boundaries and feel really in tune with myself. I know when I can and want to stay up until 4am dancing to disco with Dominic, and when it’s better for me to skip an event and just stay home.

Being so young and having different friend groups, do you find it hard being sober and having to explain yourself to others? Or does it simply not get in the way.

I’ve certainly been lucky in that it’s been less of a problem than I expected it might be. My friends and family have been overwhelming supportive of me since the beginning. But, there have been certain instances where more distant friends or strangers say something annoying about it and I’m in a position of defending myself. This actually happened to me recently at a wedding and I was quick to call them out and let them know they shouldn’t say things like that - I was actually proud of myself for this response! 1 year in I would have shied away from being so vocal.

Is there something new and artistic you’re seeking to try next?

Yes! I really want to start writing poetry. I’ve always loved writing, I find it’s the easiest way for me to express myself. Most of my writing lives in my journal that I would never share with anyone. I’m excited by the idea of turning my writing into more of a creative, artistic, relatable medium such as poetry.

Finally, for those going through a challenging time in their life and reading this, what’s something you wish somebody told you. Or is there something that helped you other than therapy and art that you wish you found sooner?

I’ll always be the biggest supporter of therapy - but it can be hard to find the right therapist or even to find one you can afford. Something I wish I had realized sooner is that I don’t have to fight every battle on my own. In the past, before I started therapy and became more comfortable expressing my emotions, I would hold everything in. I was ashamed to share that I was struggling or sad, angry, hopeless, etc. Once I learned I could open up about these things I realized how many people are in my corner and will always be here to listen - you included Dominic! It can be scary to open up to your friends or your family, but I started small and realized with practice that it’s incredibly therapeutic and feeling support and love is so powerful.