Past to Possibility: Karen

What could journalling unlock for you?

A warm hello from me! 👋🏻 If you're new here, I’m Natasha — psychotherapist, mum, wife, and cocktail enthusiast! 🍹

Welcome to Therapreneur Diaries, a candid diary exploring the emotional side of success — the doubts, mindset shifts, and self-trust we need to earn and grow.

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• The unfiltered ups and downs of running an online therapy practice

• Figuring out what it takes to be a successful, in work and life

• Exploring how the past impacts us in the present and the future

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• How to embrace self-trust and take action, letting go of overthinking and self-doubt

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I’m excited to continue my spin-off series: Past to Possibility.

This series is all about exploring the powerful connection between past experiences, how they shape the present, and how they influence the possibilities for the future.

Through a series of reflective questions, each interviewee will share a significant moment in their life that sparked personal growth, how it influenced their mindset and actions, and how those insights continue to impact them today. I’m grateful to Karen for sharing her story and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Past to Possibility Interview #5: Karen Geiger

Karen Fatica Geiger is a licensed speech-language pathologist, certified journal writing facilitator and coach, self-published author, and award-winning essayist. She's a wife and the mom of two adult boys (and one sweet doodle, Deacon Blue). When she’s not writing or teaching, you can find her on the pickleball court.

Karen writes at The Write Remedy; the name is an amalgamation of her medical and creative self blended into a phrase that depicts how writing is healing, transformational, and a balm for what ails you. Karen created The Write Remedy because she wanted a space where people can outline, write, and rewrite stories - together - without perfection or pressure.

What is one defining moment or experience from your past that has shaped the person you are today?

My identity has been shaped by both everyday routines and significant life events. Growing up, I absorbed traditions and values about work and family from three generations - my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. These small, daily influences built the foundation of who I am. A more recent defining moment that significantly impacted and shaped my life was a routine surgery that resulted in nerve damage. At 52, this became an important turning point in my life. This experience forced me to redefine myself. I needed to look at myself, my strength and abilities in a different light.

How did that moment or experience impact you as a person at the time?

You don't plan for chronic pain. When my story took a turn, my initial focus was simple: follow medical instructions and heal. I am a diligent patient. I did everything asked of me and more. But nerves have their own timeline and it's a slow one.

Beyond the physical challenges, I had to confront a different struggle - reconciling my new reality with the identity I'd held for 52 years.

Being active and athletic wasn't just what I did; it was who I was. How I defined myself was suddenly called into question. My core beliefs didn't change - but I had to alter how I saw myself and for all of this to occur during midlife - a pivotal chapter - I also had to wrestle with the question, "what now?"

There was a rollercoaster of emotions that came with my chronic pain. What didn't fluctuate was my journaling routine. This is what saved me. The ritual of putting pen to paper - to record not only my feelings but also the symptoms, side effects and progress of my recovery. I documented my journey like a scientist and a writer. I brought my findings to follow up visits with my surgeon which helped us write a new course for healing.

What chronic pain did to my body was create a new strength I didn't know existed. It was either grit or give up. Never play a sport again or figure it out and retrain your muscles to work despite the numbness. What chronic pain did to my mindset was clear the clutter of what's really important. This clarity also came from my journal reflections. My journals became a mirror, reflecting unmet goals, unfinished books, and the need for a mindset shift. Perhaps it was the convergence of midlife, menopause, and medical challenges that created this climax in my story. But the message was clear: it was now or never.

In what ways do you notice the influence of that experience showing up in your daily life or mindset today?

At that time, I was asked to spearhead a writing program at our local cancer wellness centre. This led me to the path of becoming a certified journal writing coach. I didn't know this even existed!

I anchor everything I do in education, and this was no different. Journaling became my guide. Not only for how and what to teach but in my own endeavours. This experience integrated with all I had been and had learned - from being an English major, to speech lang. pathologist in a hospital, to writer, mom, wife, daughter. We are the culmination of everything and this was one more chapter in my narrative.

I have always leaned into literature, mindset and philosophy like Emerson, Wattles & Dyer. As a medically-based SLP, I looked to science and this was the perfect opportunity to combine all of my passion into a growth mindset. I dove into neuroplasticity and the effects of a daily writing habit. (Research reveals the statistics of writing - 42% in goal achievement, increase mindfulness, cognitive function, working memory, immunity.) This was the mindset shift I needed. This was my WHY. Focusing on the growth, the change AND on serving others in writing/rewriting their stories.

My pain didn't drastically change, but my mindset did. I realized that the writing goals I had set 5 years prior were still just that - goals. Unmet and to be continued -- in therapy terms. I hadn't set the time and effort behind the desire, until now.

Tell us about a decision or action you’ve taken recently where your current mindset, shaped by your past, played a significant role?

If 2022 was a year for rewiring, then 2024 was the year of energy. In the spring of 2024 I self-published my guided journal - Storied Life Journal. I created the book that I had always wanted to use. It's The Artist's Way meets the Full Focus planner - a combination of quotes and prompts, a space for gratitude and wins and goals. I spoke on several podcasts, the most influential to my career was Dr. Heather Hirsch's Health. We collaborated on the link between menopause/midlife and the positive impact of journaling. This has taken my writing in a new direction. I launched The Write Remedy - and while I am still navigating the marketing side of Substack, I want this to be an abundantly creative and welcoming space for all writers. I want to fill the newsletter with value and help others find, write and rewrite their stories. (nonfiction and fiction) I’ve also successfully completed my Author Accelerator book coaching certification. I'm so excited to bring this extra component to my audience.

What connections do you see between your past and your present? Does this surprise you?

Nothing surprises me about connecting past and present experiences. I have learned so much from my cancer class participants. Not only how to be strong and resilient in the constant face of doubt and fear, but that the thread of our past experiences are woven into the tapestry of who we are today. How we act, react, respond, think, can be traced back to the stories we learned and the stories we tell ourselves. We can rewrite narratives and change our beliefs but before we can do that - we need to understand who we are right now.

This is where journaling comes in. While I always stressed to my children - grades don't define you, athletics don't define you... what defines you is how you treat other people, how you get up after falling, how you see yourself in the world. I took my own advice. I reordered the definition of myself. Mom and wife will always be at the top of the list, but I moved writer up. I changed the priorities of my midlife and are writing my third act with a different energy.

Following your journey to this point, how do you imagine your current mindset, actions and habits will influence your future?

Personally - I see my journaling habit and writing life as a positive and continued force in my future. I see the teaching as a constant for now, both at the cancer centre, online and hopefully for a few endeavours I have in the works. Sustainability on social media is a long game. My mindset is to align with those that are searching for their stories, create a community and foster these connections. Writing is powerful and stories bring us together.

What possibilities in the future are you most hopeful or excited about?

I will be launching a mindful writing for burnout and empathy at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic this summer. I am thrilled to offer a technique that could reduce the stress and anxiety that goes hand in hand with medical school. Studies show that by the third year of med school, there is an increased feeling of burnout while empathy is on the decline.

My husband and I got married two weeks before he started medical school and my son just finished his first year. This project is close to my heart.

I recently spoke at Dr. Jila Senemar’s EmpowHer Miami event for menopause and am an official member of Dr. Hirsch’s Collaborative. I’m looking forward to more midlife reinvention through 1:1 coaching and evergreen products and workshops - because time is precious and I get that!

✨Reflection: How did you find this exploration of the links between your past, present, and future?

This is a very comprehensive and thoughtful questionnaire. I like linking past/present/future and do this frequently within my workshops. You can't know your direction without knowing your starting point and current position. Clarity, cognitive fitness and creativity are my 3 C's of journaling. Thank you!

Connect with Karen:

Substack: The Write Remedy

Website: Karen Geiger

Instagram: Joy of Story

Natasha’s reflection

Karen’s story is such a powerful reminder of how health challenges can shake our sense of identity. So often, we define ourselves by our work or how we spend our time, so when that’s taken away, it’s natural to ask: Who am I now?

I love how journalling gave Karen a space to explore her thoughts and feelings, making room for a new chapter to emerge. So many people could benefit from this kind of meaningful, reflective habit.

This quote really stayed with me:

“We can rewrite narratives and change our beliefs - but before we can do that, we need to understand who we are right now.”

That’s 100% at the heart of the work I do too. Karen, you’re an inspiration!

✨What stands out to you from Karen’s experiences?

Work with me

Curious about how your past has shaped your beliefs and behaviours? I offer 1:1 online therapy to help you lead a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Therapy with me focuses on three key areas:

• Relief – Helping you feel less overwhelmed, dissatisfied, and stuck.

• Resolution – Understanding and resolving past experiences so they no longer shape your beliefs and behaviours.

• Empowerment – Gaining control of your choices and future, with a clear plan to sustain your progress after therapy.

You might also like these posts:

• Past to Possibility Interviews – More inspiring stories from reflective women sharing their experiences.

• Therapreneur Check-ins – Monthly reflections on my life as a therapist-solopreneur: the challenges, the stats, and the wins.

• Deep-dives - In-depth explorations of psychology and business related topics.

Excited to read the next interview?