A milkdrunk motherhood
Milk drunk was a term synonymous with a state of relaxation but, then it took on another meeting when I entered single motherhood in 2019. As a therapist, I reframed the infant state of milk drunk and deemed the term in postpartum for mothers as that state of lucidity, shock, awe, my “holy shit.” A sort of dark comedy journey of my understanding of motherhood and the guilt triggering my unresolved grief over the loss of mine own mother. I hope this blog captures the nuances of motherhood in a way I wish was reflected scrolling the pages of Instagram looking for a glimpse of myself in others’ stories.
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a literary platform featuring current non-fiction works in progress adapted from the novelist’s collection of select poems and prose.
The Cowardly Lion explores the stages of grief in an intimate relationship tested by modern day notions of commitment. Ninety-six Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Hours is an 11-year passion project where the novelist chronicles the lives of friends and acquaintances striving to succeed in art, music, business, culinary, motherhood, and more.
Hi friend! I’m Susan J. Doyle, LCSW (she/her/hers), an aspiring novelist and licensed clinical social worker working as a community mental heath therapist. I specialize in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and grief/loss. I hold a Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University.
In personal and professional practice, I lean on the power of narrative storytelling to help client’s both strengthen, and adopt coping skills to achieve a sense of acceptance. I currently live and write in Los Angeles, California. Send feedback to @milkdrunkmotherhood on Instagram.
Works
The cowardly lion
Greta and he are navigating the complex parameters of a relationship with a modern-day twist. With childlike disregard they dodge limitations to their relationship and combat differing expectations to explore a connection neither of them can quite explain. When a traumatic life event challenges their understanding of their relationship, Greta confronts unresolved feelings about her grieving process . Theirs becomes a story based in self-reflection, and courage.
ninety-six thousand three hundred sixty hours
Grounded in the dynamism of mentoring and the power of narrative storytelling, the novelist chronicles eleven years of living and writing in New York City. Readers meet impassioned storytellers: friends and acquaintances of the novelist who too strive to succeed in their craft. Each interview speaks to the storyteller’s process, the challenges, the networks, and the opportunity.
From art to music, business to culinary, public service, and the literary world there is a mentor for everyone including, an index as a resource. The novelist forms a community of peer mentors whose perseverance inspire and unite us on our shared professional journeys.