Thankful for the healing power of music.
Music has been scientifically proven to heal “time after time.” (If you get my 80s music reference please post in the comments!) It can be a great treatment for trichotillomania, especially if combined with other tactics.
Today, Keen family member, Katie Lee shares how her passion for music – both creating it and consuming it – have helped her heal on her journey with trichotillomania.
See how others have used Keen to curb their trichotillomania
As you read her story, please let us know in the comments what you are grateful for that has had healing power in your life – is it art?! Is it writing?! Is it playing basketball?! Is it video games?!
You may help someone else find their way to healing.
with gratitude,
Aneela
Now, I’ll pass the mic to Katie:
Hi! I’m Katie Lee. I’m a singer/songwriter, a teacher, a faith driven person, a lover of people and I also have Trich. It’s something I’ve dealt almost my entire life. There have been waves where it’s been really bad (almost no hair on the top of my head) and a few times when it wasn’t so bad, but through it all I’ve tried really hard to not let it define who I am. I am more than my hair.
Up until this last few months, I didn’t feel like I was ever going to overcome my hair pulling and it was hard to talk about. I knew that I had the ability to change it, but nothing I ever tried made any difference. Luckily, I felt prompted to do some online research (bfrb.org is a great source) and found the Keen bracelet and thought I would give it a try. It was just the jumpstart that I needed and that coupled with some online therapy, I’ve gone 37 days without pulling (which is seriously a miracle and I don’t use that word lightly).
“Trich is something we have, NOT who we are!”
One thing that’s really helped through it all is music. Music has an amazing power to change your mood, provide healing and connect in a way that nothing else can. As a songwriter, I write about everything I feel and that’s been like therapy for me. Here’s some songs that have been a part of my process of healing:
I wrote a song a few years ago called Addicted to You. Trich felt so much like an addiction and I wanted so bad to be rid of it, but I also had a hard time letting go. Its something only someone with Trich can understand.
Then, last year I wrote a song, Fearlessly, Honestly Me, about how I sometimes let these insecurities about myself diminish who I am, especially in social settings. This song was like a pep talk to myself. I really do love who I am and I want to be fearlessly, honestly me in every situation. I’m pretty darn great and I want people to see that, regardless of how much hair is on my head.
Wonderful Ride came out of reflecting on many aspects of my life. I feel like we all try so hard to make our lives fit an imaginary standard that the world sets up and life rarely works out that way. But through all of that, I’m very grateful that my life has turned out the way it has. The struggles have given me strength and a much stronger sense of self that I would not have had otherwise.
While I’ve found healing through writing lyrics and singing, I also find others’ music to be medicine. Here’s a few other songs that really help put things into perspective and turn around my day:
If you need more music recommendations or want to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Instagram @ ktleeitsme.
Musically,
Katie
