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DEPRESSION AND MY TRUTH

Dionne Simpson-Amuah • Oct 19, 2018
Due to the sensitive nature of this platform, it isn’t very often that the guests I interview are willing to waive their anonymity. This can be due to many factors and of course it is respected.

So it was my absolute delight when the founder of Life Essence UK not only agreed to do a podcast on her journey to healing, but also offered to guest write the blog piece too!

Speaking with Kelleigh that day honestly lit up my soul.  

Whilst I wouldn’t consider myself a devout Christian or religious per say, there was no denying that Kelleigh’s blossoming relationship with the church has made her an infectious ball of positivity. It was this relationship that forged her healing and enabled her to ‘birth’ her business and platform ‘Life Essence’.

Read her thoughts following our recording below:

By Kelleigh from Life Essence
Life Essence

Well guys, I have just finished recording a podcast about my truth of suffering from depression, as a result of being in a toxic relationship with Love Laid Bare.


Boy do I feel open right now!! But open in a good way 🙂 for it has been so long of hiding and being ashamed of how I really felt and what I allowed myself to tolerate. Being able to share my story and recovery with you has  been a blessing in it’s self and I really hope that you will be blessed by my openness around certain subjects.


We can all end up in some crazy “how an earth did I even get here” type of situation which cut us deeply, leaving us to deal with the mental and emotional impact that the situation or event has left us with.


However WE ARE NOT what we went through or what we did or what others say we are. It is so important to focus on how we heal, grow and learn from these experiences that will shape the rest of our lives going forward. AND that my Friend’s is one of the Essence’s of Life!! Using experiences, events and situations to grow and become the beautiful people God created us to be!


ME I USED MY PAINS TO GAINS AND SO CAN YOU



Healing from feelings such as Rejection, Loss, Fear and Desperation takes a lot of work but guess what guys? FEELINGS ARE TEMPORARY!!!


Learning how to accept and sit with these feelings and thoughts that you are experiencing, is not easy and its painful. Because sometimes the truth can be very painful, we tend to ignore the pain and brush it under the carpet. By creating distractions to gain a temporary high to numb the pain and to forget being sad for all of a few hours! Some of us use partying, sex, drinking and taking drugs!


But guys, lets be honest, ignoring the feelings and the pain you feel is also painful right? That “come down” from your night out for drinking to much or that wild steamy lust filed experience did nothing for your inner soul and the pain your in!

So now, we can choose to ignore the pain, the situations, as they sit on your shoulders forever!! Or we can Look pain dead in the eye, hold it’s hand and start the healing process, work through the changes and learn to let go and be free to be your Happy Amazing Self.


For me ignoring the fact that I was depressed and had to look pain in face scared me to death, it was much easier to continue in my rut of despair.  However I have been set free and you can be set free also, invest in you and be kind to yourself and start your journey of freedom and happiness!


Get support and speak out! You will be so glad you did.


After listening to my podcast story and reading this blog, you may think it was as easy for me. It may even seem that I am making it out like it was as easy as praying and 1,2,3 everything was over and I was healed! 

I never said it was going to be easy! 


Have a quick listen to one of my fav tunes Wont He Do It – I always smile back to it as it reminds of how far I have come in so many ways spiritually, emotionally, mentally…Well hey I am still working on the physically hahaha!


No No No No!


I had to NOT run into another DEAD relationship or throw myself at some UNWORTHY cause just to feel better and block out the pain. I understood that If I wanted to be free wholeheartedly and to be superbly duperbly HAPPY.

There was a lot of reflection, determination, focus and it had to start with ME and NO-ONE ELSE!

Flat on my face with nowhere to go, was where I really met Jesus. All his love, grace and mercy.

In the Midst of my Sin he Loved me, I let Jesus into my life not just partly but I fully surrendered my heart, to him and him only.


It was at this point when I really started to believed every word God had said about me, I started to really build my relationship with him, not just believe there was a God but actually get right with the Lord!

Remember that life happens to all of us, regardless of if we believe in God or not, because that is life!!! However it is through Christ that we gain our strength to deal with life. 


When I was at my lowest, I waited on the lord, sought his kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and boy has he renewed by strength and added riches to my life. I am so thankful! Jesus suffered in so many ways, he understands perfectly your sorrows and your weaknesses. As the Son of God and Saviour, he can help you in every situation: sickness, sin and personal sorrow.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). 


1. Jesus died for me and he died for you too-Like guys that is serious!!!


“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. “- John 3:16


2.Gods love for us is unbreakable-How many people in your life can you say that about ???


“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39


3.There are no limits to the love God has for you.


“And I pray that you, being rotted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…” Ephesians 3:17-19


4.Knowing God’s heart means consistently, radically, and very concretely announcing and revealing that God is love and only love, and that every time fear, isolation, or despair begin to invade the human soul, it is then that we must pause, pray and ask for the Spirit to bring us once again to the point where “the love of Christ controls us” 2 Corinthian 5:14. When we are controlled by the love of Jesus, we enter eternal freedom because His love comes without any conditions and limits.


Whatever situation you are in now


Do not blame yourself

Do not be ashamed

Do start talking

Do seek support


Do remember you are loved

If you would like more information on how you can get support please contact

Kelleigh @lifeessenceuk or Dionne at @lovelaidbare


I would like to thank Kelleigh for being so honest and open about her journey to recovery.


Listen to the podcast here and don’t forget to to like and subscribe to this post.


Thank you for taking the time out to read this blog and all of your ongoing support.

Take care of yourself.

Dionne x

Co-Parenting featuring Aaron (Raising Boys 2 Men)

by Dionne Simpson • 13 Jul, 2022
personally, as soon as I was faced with the notion that my relationship with my ex-husband would not survive, we discussed at length how we would conduct ourselves. We discussed finances, how we would deal with future relationships, mutually agreed on how we would parent and left no stone unturned. our daughters well-being was the priority and everything else came afterwards. yet, despite these discussions and writing things on paper, we still faced some of the same hurdles that millions of other co-parents do. sometimes it is nearly impossible to avoid friction at some point in the journey, particularly when everything is fresh and new to everyone. one question I always ask myself when it comes to co-parenting in the face of adversity is, 'does this benefit my daughter?' . if the answer is no, I just won't allow myself to behave or respond in a way that is detrimental to her or the co-parenting relationship. does that mean I back down? no. but what it means is that I approach all conversations and disagreements respectfully and as calmly as possible. a breakdown in healthy communication gets neither party anywhere, and if both are sincere and care enough, the Childs needs will always come first. realistically, Things may not always go smoothly when co-parenting. It helps to be clear about what your most important goals are for the future. Here are two that you might want to consider: To commit to supporting your children in having a free and uncomplicated relationship with the other parent. To keep whatever feelings you have about each other separate from your co-parenting relationship. These principles can serve as foundations for everything you do as co-parents.

Why Quitting My Corporate Role Was My Biggest Act Of Self Care

by Dionne Simpson • 06 Jul, 2022
this episode is probably the hardest one I have ever published, but quitting my corporate role was one of my biggest acts of self care. even as I type this, I am feeling quite sad and vulnerable. nothing has been more damaging to my self esteem than working in the insurance industry. some people may watch, read or listen to this episode and say that I am a fool for staying as long as I did, or that maybe I should have taken this company to an employment tribunal. however, back then terms such as 'microaggressions' or 'covert racism' were not that popular and how I would even build a case against them? how could I cite that their refusal to give me a blackberry to do my job efficiently was a sign of racism? had this been in more recent times, maybe things may have been different, but I am also a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I had people close to me scorn me for leaving without finding something else, but 'who the cap fits, let them wear it!'. I was drained, exhausted, broken and I mentally could not go on. despite the negative responses I received, all that mattered to me was that my then husband was supportive of my decisions and he backed me all the way. I must credit him for his understanding at that time and I am grateful for the space he gave me to get back on my feet.
Dionne Love Laid Bare Podcast

The Orgasm Gap

by Dionne Simpson • 22 Jun, 2022
Episode 2, season 8! The Orgasm Gap

How Numerology Can Help You ft Lorraine Whyte

by Dionne Simpson-Amuah • 21 Apr, 2021
In this week's episode I am joined by returnee guest, Lorraine Whyte, to discuss the benefits and insight that numerology can give you, alongside identifying any trauma that may need to be worked upon. Discussion points: -Numerology and its definition -How numerology offers insight to your life's purpose and beyond -Can you change your life's plan? -The truth about manifesting -Dionne gets her own personal reading & forecast for 2021 -Trauma and karmic lessons -Numerology for business -Angel numbers

Soul Ties & Sexual Healing ft Tay Burke (Spiritual Alchemist)

by Dionne Simpson • 07 Apr, 2021
Quite simply, sex with the right person that aligns with you can be a very fulfilling experience. UNFORTUNATELY, THE MESSAGES THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM SOCIETY, CULTURE AND RELIGION MAY HAVE ALTERED OUR VIEW OF SEX AND NOT ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT WAY.

Becoming Dad: The Untold Story

by Dionne Simpson • 02 Apr, 2021
We’ve discussed having a stepfather from a child’s perspective, absentee fathers (again from the child’s perspective) as well as the challenges of co-parenting. For this episode and blog, I wanted to talk to the men who had struggled for various reasons whilst having their children relatively young. As I was writing this blog, my uncle just happened to be at my parents’ house, so I invited him to share his thoughts on the topic. He had his first son at 21 and struggled to maintain a relationship with his eldest son until he was old enough to come and look for him.

Understanding & Defining Spirituality Ft Lorraine Whyte

by Dionne Simpson • 24 Mar, 2021
As i mention at the top of this episode, i have wanted to explore this topic for a while. i know the limits of my spiritual knowledge and therefore needed to have this discussion with someone who knows their stuff unapologetically. growing up in a christian family, attending church every sunday and going to a faith based school surely should have kept me within the borders of my religion. yet, from a young age i just knew that there were some things that didn't sit right or make sense to me.

A Dose Of Dionne - The Games People Play

by Dionne Simpson • 17 Mar, 2021
in this episode of a dose of dionne, i reflect on some of the experiences i have had with meeting new people. Having been 'out of the game' for a while, i don't think i genuinely had a good idea about the interactions people have in the dating world. i can honestly say that i have met some truly amazing people and each person has given me some food for thought or added to my growth as a person. I refer to a previous episode with victor granville called the search for real love which goes a bit deeper into some of the things i mention in this episode. Please have a listen if you need to!

How To Be A Conscious Parent

by Dionne Simpson • 10 Mar, 2021
In this weeks episode I am joined by Nicole Henry, child psychologist and therapist as we discuss how we can adopt better ways in parenting. you can follow or get into contact with nicole on instagram or via her website - www.thenicolehenry.com the episode is available to listen below:

A Dose Of Dionne - Behind Her Eyes Spoiler Alert!!!

by Dionne Simpson • 03 Mar, 2021
For me to dedicate a whole episode to a TV series, my regular listeners will know that I must be quite rattled. Lol! Behind her eyes was a brilliant series, a frustrating series and an ‘Oh My God’ type of psychological series. This is a spoiler alert so if you have not watched the series or if you intend on watching the series, please do not listen to this episode. I repeat, do not listen to this episode!! This is a VERY candid, off the cuff episode so please be warned there will be some profanity used because the series was that good!!!
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