Welcome to The Messy Middle

Hi, I'm Trisha Jo.

I'm 43 years old, a mother to two incredible daughters, a former beauty industry professional with 18 years of experience, a lover of skincare, music, long walks in the woods, and someone who has spent a good portion of her life trying to figure out who she is underneath all the roles she's carried.

The truth is, I didn't create The Messy Middle because I had life figured out.

I created it because I didn't.

At some point, I looked around and realized I wasn't who I used to be anymore. My girls were growing up. Life had changed. Relationships changed. Friendships changed. I changed. The version of me I had always known no longer fit, but I wasn't quite sure who I was becoming either.

That's where The Messy Middle came from.

The messy middle is that space between healing and hurting. Between staying and leaving. Between surviving and growing. It's the place where most of us actually live, even if social media tries to convince us otherwise.

Over the years, I've navigated Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD, eating disorder struggles, grief, family conflict, friendship heartbreak, relationship challenges, motherhood, and the ongoing process of rebuilding myself. I've spent time in therapy, completed intensive outpatient treatment, learned how to set boundaries, learned how to apologize, learned how to start over, and learned that healing isn't nearly as pretty as people make it look online.

Some days I feel grounded and confident.

Some days I'm overthinking a text message from three days ago while sitting in a parking lot listening to the same song on repeat.

Both versions are real.

Before all of this, I spent nearly two decades working in the beauty industry, and that part of me never left. I still love skincare, beauty treatments, lashes, self-care, and all the little things that help us feel like ourselves again. Not because I think beauty fixes everything, but because I know how powerful it can be to look in the mirror and recognize yourself on a hard day.

When I'm not writing, you'll usually find me spending time with my daughters, walking, listening to music entirely too loud, hanging out with my two German Shepherds, getting lost in my thoughts in the woods, working on my blog, or convincing myself that buying another skincare product is a perfectly reasonable life decision.

I also have a dark sense of humor.

Honestly, I think you almost have to when life hands you the plot twists it's handed me.

The Messy Middle isn't just a mental health blog. It isn't just a motherhood blog, a beauty blog, or a relationship blog either.

It's a real-life blog.

It's where I share the things people don't always talk about:

The friendships that break your heart.

The family relationships that leave scars.

The grief that never completely leaves.

The pressure of motherhood.

The fear of aging.

The exhaustion of mental illness.

The beauty routines that make us feel human again.

The healing that happens slowly, quietly, and usually when nobody is watching.

Some posts are educational. Some are deeply personal. Some are funny. Some are painful. Most are a little bit of everything.

My hope is that when you leave this site, you feel a little less alone than you did when you arrived.

Maybe you find something you relate to.

Maybe you learn something.

Maybe you laugh.

Maybe you cry.

Maybe you simply realize that someone else understands what it's like to be in the middle of figuring it all out.

Because that's what this space is really about.

Not perfection.

Not having all the answers.

Just showing up honestly.

Welcome to The Messy Middle.

I'm glad you're here.

— Trisha Jo 💜

Editorial Note

The content published on The Messy Middle is based on personal experiences, opinions, research, and lived experiences. Articles discussing mental health, wellness, beauty, relationships, and personal growth are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, mental health, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.

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