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By Dhairya Negandhi, PR & Communications HNA

Words That Need to Be Written

For Julie, poetry isn’t just a hobby. It’s how she makes sense of life. β€œWords just start writing themselves in my head, and it drives me crazy if I don’t write them down,” she says. Sometimes, her poems come from a place of stress or strong emotion. She doesn’t read much poetry herself; for her, it’s simply a way to get her thoughts out and process what’s going on. She wrote her poem β€œChild” in two days. β€œIt’s just something I can do,” she says, a little surprised at herself. But it’s not about the writing for herβ€”it’s about what happens after.β€œ The best part is getting to share the poetry and seeing people enjoy it.”

Finding Community

Julie first got involved with High Notes Avante after years of writing and performing her poetry at schools and mental health groups. Through the High Notes events,β€”including the 10th anniversary celebration a year agoβ€”she found a sense of belonging and a community of people who really listened. She describes performing as a mix of excitement and nerves. β€œMy life kind of feels like fumbling with a box of matchesβ€”most of them are duds, but every once in a while one finally lights. That’s what it’s like when I get to perform with High Notes.”On stage, she feels both vulnerable and proud, knowing she’s sharing a real part of herself.

More Than Stage Fright

It isn’t always easy. Julie lives with borderline personality disorder, which means her emotions run deep and can be tough to manage. β€œI’m very sensitive. It can take days to process feelings,” she shares. But poetry helps her release some of that.β€œ After I’ve written a poem, it feels like I’ve taken a piece of me out and put it into the world. Here’s my heartβ€”try to understand what’s inside.”

During one performance, she was surprised by the crowd that came up to her afterward. People told her how much her words meant to them, and she realized her honesty was helping others. β€œThat’s why I do it. I want to be a voice for people who may not have the words, and let them know there’s hope.”

Staying Connected

For Julie, community is key. She knows that when she’s feeling down, she tends to isolate herself. Being part of High Notes helps her stay connected and reminds her she’s not alone. She hopes her story can show others, especially young people struggling with mental health, that things can get better. Julie also gives back through outreach. With her friend Rosemary, she brings food and supplies to people who are homeless around Niagara Falls. She understands what it’s like to go through hard times and believes in helping however she can.

A Flare of Hope

Every time Julie shares her poetry, she offers a bit of hopeβ€”not just for herself, but for anyone listening. Performing with High Notes Avante has been a bright spot in her life, and she hopes her story can be a spark for others too.