For those of you who have waited patiently I thank you. For those of you who missed the teasers over the last few months, doh!!! So here, slightly later than I had originally hoped; 50 days later to be precise, is my big reveal...

Some of you already know, a little over 3 years ago, when I was newly separated, I turned to writing as therapy. I wrote what I was experiencing, how I felt and venomous emails that were never sent. And some things I shared with friends and the seeds were sown. I was nurtured and loved and encouraged... as my bizarre divorce story unfolded before me, I wrote more and more. As I healed my heart, my family and my wellbeing there were less venomous writings and more hopeful ones. More that told my story and didn’t involve the heart ache and as time wore on more and more friends suggested I write a book, one even tried to wrestle me for the story; “If you don’t write it, I will”. 

A book seemed overwhelming and way too large a task to tackle, alone; because I still felt so alone. But I began to mull over ideas... as I returned to the world of work and realized I could not access anything like the financially rewarding role I had had before we left the UK I began to consider how I could combine the financial need of being a single parent with a rusty skill set. It’s no secret that young people and education have always been the central part of my being. I missed the interactions and energy of working in a school dreadfully and had completely exhausted all options NYS offered for me to become a teacher and then school administrator here. But I wanted to get in somehow... how could I possibly immerse myself in the world I missed so much?

And at Christmas, following a conversation with one of the many women who I credit with my recovery, my blog; My Elephant in the Room was born.  Those that know me know I don’t shy away from difficult conversations; I reference the cup story and Ruby (probably a story for another day!) and I don’t intend to avoid difficult topics here either. I am so far beyond talking about the nonsense of my divorce but will talk about it as there are so many who need to see the light at the end of my tunnel. I no longer stress over my survival anymore, but instead focus on how I am thriving. I am surrounded by some very strong and beautiful bad arse women and also some strong and supportive men and I am sure over the coming weeks and months there will be stories I share about them; my community held me together and built me back again and for that I will be forever grateful! 

I intend to discuss survival, but also education and parenting matters and even how we moved to America... all areas people might be looking for a little input in. Ultimately, I would like to build myself to a point where I can talk to groups of people, I love the energy and dynamic associated with gatherings of people. Heck right now with the hold the virus has on our lives I’d love the dynamic of any social interaction! 

If you are still reading, thank you! I really hope you decide to join me on this journey; my website is now live www.denisesalter.com as are my facebook page, Instagram page and twitter; all at My Elephant in the Room. There’s even a tiktok page, but I am way off that being operational! Please follow, like and share... and to those who supported and loved me over the last 3 years and who moved me from the person I had become to the red boot wearer I am today I thank you, I truly hope you know who you are and how much you are loved and appreciated. 

Be kind, be gentle,

Denise xoxo