A Familiar Stranger is the website of author and speaker, Matthew Williams.
Matthew’s debut book, Something Changed: Stumbling Through Divorce, Dating & Depression, can be purchased in paperbook or ebook formats from Amazon, by clicking the link: Buy Something Changed here
Welcome
Sometimes, shit happens.
Depression, divorce, dating disasters, having to take the kids to an Olly Murs concert… we’ve all been there. Well, maybe not; the specifics might change but one thing’s for sure, if you’re reading this you’ve dealt with some shit along the way. That’s life folks!
The thing about shit though, it’s a great fertiliser. In dealing with the shit in our lives we learn, we grow, we become better people. Sometimes, we become something we never imagined we could be.
That’s what happened to me. In the aftermath of divorce and depression I took to my tablet and I wrote. And I wrote. And I wrote some more. In fact, since starting to write in December 2015 I haven’t shut up. And now, I’m a published author. Who’d have thought?
Why do I write?
I write to make sense of things, to find meaning, to release the thoughts and emotions that swirl senselessly around my head, hoping that they reveal some clarity upon landing as words on the page.
By writing I hope to learn things about myself and about life that will make each new chapter in my life better than the one that went before it. I hope that my writing can help others along the way, to find their own meaning and to provide some food for thought, some comfort, and maybe some laughter too. I am particularly passionate about raising awareness of mental health, and doing my part to reduce the stigma that stops so many people from seeking help.
Shit happens, but if we look there’s usually something to make us smile amongst the mess; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day we can find it, and if it’s proving hard to find then we can create it ourselves. Life’s always better when you’re smiling.
Thank you for dropping by, I’m pleased that you found your way here and I hope you stick around.
Very best wishes
Matthew
Soundtrack:
Helter Skelter – The Beatles
Hi Matthew I stumbled on your blog whilst trying to find my blog I wrote in 2013 at university which happened to be given the same title as yours. I had featured a lot of my struggles with coming to terms with my divorce and single parenting and also looking at the funny side of life. Well done on making a success of your writing I do often believe all the reflections and writing I did for my degrees has been a way to clear the mind x
Just read 7 myths about depression via Yahoo and everything you said was true. Reading more of your blogs daily!
Thank you Mary! I hope you like them 😊
Hey Matthew, found your blog thru Sonia’s Facebook post. I recently created a conceptually similar Space for the global Jewish community’s wellness. Would love if you’d check it out and share your thoughts and feedback with me. In the meantime, I’ll dive deeper into yours!
Best,
Fay
Thank you for dropping by Fay 😊 Yes I’ll check that out, sounds great.
Found page through SuzieSpeaks :). Just wanted to let you know your Facebook social link is broken.
Thank you Hanna! Don’t suppose you know how to fix it?!? Haha!
Are you using a WP plug in for the social link? Do you have the URL to the actual FB Page? If it already has the Facebook.com/[insert handle afterward]. If not I would try just pasting the ID in. You can try pasting it in a reply to this and I can test it out.
Thank you!
https://m.facebook.com/mwlovelaughtertruth/
Thank you Hanna, think I’ve managed to fix it with your help 😊
You are very welcome! Glad you were able to fix it :D!
Hi Matthew. I have just come over from Suzie’ blog. I love the sound of your blog and I too like to try and see the funny side of life, especially when sh*t haappens! Anyway,I just wanted to say hello and have a poke around your blog! 🙂
Thank you for visiting Judy! I hope you like what you find here amongst the shit haha! 😊
Hi, I found your blog via Suzie Speaks! Your posts are the sorts of things I like to write about too. I’m looking forward to taking a look around 🙂
Thank you, I hope you like what you find here! I’ll be sure to check yours out too 😊
You’re doing great job, big support from Serbia 😊
Thank you Suzana and as are you, big support back to you from England 🙂
What a brilliant topic for a blog! I commend you. One aspect I noticed in the title for your site “Love, Laughter & Truth” is that they always seem to go together.
PEACE!
– DDM
Thank you! I think you’re right, seems like a good signpost to what I’m looking for in life!