Unlikely Journeys, Inc

09/25/2025

🧠💬 Let’s Talk Coping Skills + Substance Use 🌀

Teens face real pressure—school stress, family stuff, friendships, identity, and big emotions. Sometimes, substances like alcohol or w**d get used as a quick escape. But here’s the truth: substances don’t solve the problem—they just press pause. And when the high wears off, the problem is still there...sometimes even bigger.

That’s where coping skills come in.

At Unlikely Journeys, we help teens build real tools to handle tough emotions, stress, and uncertainty. Coping isn’t about being perfect—it’s about learning what works for you. From journaling to movement, music to mindfulness, even just talking it out—there’s more than one healthy way to get through hard stuff.

✨ You're not alone. ✨
Let’s replace short-term relief with long-term strength.

09/23/2025

09/21/2025

🌿 Acceptance 🌿

Acceptance doesn’t mean we approve of, agree with, or even like what has happened. It means we stop fighting reality and begin to meet life as it is.

When we resist, we stay stuck in anger, fear, or regret. But when we accept—even the things we don’t like—we open the door to peace, clarity, and growth.

Acceptance is not giving up. It’s saying: “This is where I am right now, and from here, I can choose my next step.”

✨ You can accept things you don’t like, because acceptance is about freedom, not approval.

09/20/2025

🌿 Surrender & Letting Go 🌿

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is loosen our grip. We hold on so tightly to control, expectations, people, or outcomes—believing that if we just try harder, things will finally fall into place. But healing often begins with surrender.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means trusting that we don’t have to carry it all on our own. It means releasing what no longer serves us so we can make space for what will.

✨ Surrender is strength.
✨ Letting go is freedom.
✨ Trusting the process is courage.

What is one thing you can release today to lighten your load? 💜

09/19/2025

Today, Danielle had the opportunity to visit Hamilton County Jail and meet with Jodi Miller, founder of Refuel Wellness. Jodi leads a program within the TOWER Program at the jail, focusing on strengthening mind, body, and spirit.

Her program includes wellness education, meditation, weekly mantras, and creating vision boards for the women. Danielle was grateful for the chance to sit in on class today, share with the women, and listen as some of them read their own poems—written as part of their program homework.

We are honored that Jodi has also chosen to incorporate Danielle’s poetry collection, Unhinged Fragmentation, into her work with the women. So far this year, Jodi has shared Unhinged Fragmentation with three cohorts, and we are deeply grateful for the way she is helping women on their journey of healing and growth.

09/18/2025

Today our Founder and Executive Director, Danielle Burkett, was invited by Officer Love with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office to share her testimony and the lessons she has learned with town and county officers participating in Crisis Intervention Training.

Danielle spent the years from age 13 (1993) to 35 (2015) involved in the criminal justice system. Since entering the mental health and addictions field as a recovery coach nearly a decade ago, she has worked in spaces where she once was not free.

She was honored to be trusted with the opportunity to speak to the officers. At one point in her life, police were the enemy. But since coming home from prison, doing the internal work, and becoming the change she wished to see, Danielle has transformed into someone who builds bridges instead of burning them down.

Danielle envisions a kinder, more compassionate world for the generations to come. And while we, as a society, still have a lot of work to do—she is committed to being part of that change.

09/16/2025

🌱 Try Something New 🌱

Growth often happens outside of our comfort zones.
Whether it’s joining a group, picking up a hobby, or having an honest conversation—you never know what doors will open when you take that first step.

✨ It doesn’t have to be big.
✨ It doesn’t have to be perfect.
✨ It just has to be new.

At Unlikely Journeys, we believe that small steps can lead to big transformations. 💜

👉 What’s one new thing you’d like to try this week?

09/15/2025

🌟 Grantee Spotlight 🌟

We are excited to announce The Willow Center has been awarded $325,000 to open an outpatient treatment center in Morgan County, serving approximately 235 adults in need of substance use and mental health services in the first full year of operations.

Thank you for your commitment to providing additional substance use and mental health services in Morgan County.

09/15/2025

Dance or movement can help in so many ways—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Stress relief: Moving your body can release tension and lower stress.

Emotional expression: Dance gives a healthy outlet for feelings that might be hard to put into words.

Connection: Whether in a group or alone, movement can make you feel more connected to yourself and others.

Healing: Gentle movement can help process trauma and support recovery.

Confidence: Learning to move freely builds self-esteem and body awareness.

09/13/2025

Conflict Resolution & Agreeing to Disagree

Not every conversation has to end in full agreement—sometimes, healthy relationships are built on respecting differences.

Conflict resolution isn’t about “winning” an argument; it’s about creating understanding, finding common ground where possible, and maintaining respect where it isn’t.

💡 Agreeing to disagree means:

Listening fully before responding.

Valuing the other person’s perspective even if you don’t share it.

Choosing peace over proving a point.

Setting boundaries when needed.

When we honor differences without hostility, we leave space for connection, growth, and respect to thrive.

09/12/2025

Open-mindedness, Love, and Tolerance

✨ Open-mindedness means being willing to hear perspectives beyond your own, even when they challenge your beliefs. It’s not about agreeing with everything—it’s about creating space for understanding.

✨ Love is more than emotion; it’s action. It’s choosing compassion, care, and respect in how we treat ourselves and others.

✨ Tolerance means recognizing differences and allowing them to exist without judgment or hostility. It’s the foundation of peaceful coexistence.

When we embody all three, we step into a way of living that honors humanity in its fullness. We listen without needing to control, we care without conditions, and we allow people to be who they are. Together, these qualities create an environment where healing, growth, and genuine connection can thrive.