👉 Start Here: What Grows at The Fern & The Flame 🌿🔥
Welcome
I’m Shannon Ashley—writer, single mom, neurodivergent survivor, and creator of this space. You might know me from Medium, where I’ve written for years about motherhood, mental health, and the hard truths we’re often pressured to keep quiet.
The Fern & The Flame is a quieter, wilder, and more creative chapter. It's about telling the truth—but also tending to what grows after the fire.
What this space is:
🌻 A sanctuary for truth-telling, healing, and creative joy.
☀️ A blend of personal essays, gentle reflections, slow-living ideas, and justice-rooted storytelling.
🍄 A place where I explore the forest, the fire, and what grew anyway.
What you’ll find here (as it grows):
🔧 Essays on parenting, wellness, and identity
📖 Behind-the-scenes peeks at The Forest Is Calling, my upcoming activity book
🌿 Gentle organizing tips, creative routines, and accessible living insights from my life as a disabled single mom
🧺 Curated cottagecore and forest finds—with a sprinkle of everyday magic
🎨 Whimsical printables and creative guides to spark joy
🔭 Honest explorations of trauma, recovery, faith deconstruction, and storytelling
📬 Dispatches on current events, spiritual abuse, and what it means to keep showing up
New here? Try these posts to begin:
🦊 A Sneak Peek from "The Forest Is Calling"
How to support this space:
🌸 Subscribe for free to get updates and previews.
🌷 Upgrade to paid to help me keep this work sustainable.
💐 Become a founding member to join the Gratitude Grove and receive special thank-you gifts (these are currently in-progress).
Whether you’re here for healing, reflection, or inspiration—thank you.
This space is for you.
Truth hurts.
But it also heals.
Let’s grow something wild and true together.
Shannon, who does your illustrations? They're delightful!