Meet Kelly Oswald

We recently connected with Kelly Oswald and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always known that I wanted children in my life. I met my husband when I was 31. He is still surprised to this day that his being a father was something that attracted me to him, rather than ward him off. As our relationship grew, the desire to have a child of my own and his two wonderful kids also grew. Time progressed and we married in the fall of 2021, and we began being intentional with our practices to get pregnant. At this time, I was 34. I knew my age was approaching the awful medical term of “geriatric” in terms of a pregnancy. I was eager to get moving and finish building our family.

I had to find a new OB, as mine had retired a few years prior. My first time meeting with her, I had felt very brushed off. I voiced my concerns about undiagnosed PCOS, irregular periods, and the inability to track ovulation. She recommended I lose 20 pounds, and that a healthy pregnancy should follow. While knowing that my weight wasn’t where I wanted it, I considered that it wouldn’t hurt to lose a few pounds, but I still felt dismissed. I met with her again a few months later when she told me I could meet with an IVF specialist, but that her primary focus was not on infertility. She ran a few lab tests and sent me on my way with a referral.

I was able to secure an appointment with the Reproductive Health Therapist, although I’d have to wait 6 months to be seen. In that time, I did some research of my own and spoke with other women who had experienced similar symptoms of PCOS who struggled to get pregnant. I worked hard to make lifestyle changes to help prepare my body for a successful pregnancy. The weekend prior to my appointment with the specialist, I received a call from her office. “The doctor is willing to see you at this time, but will not be able to treat you until your BMI is within a better range.” I was shocked. No one had prepared me to hear that. I had six months of waiting, only to be met with news that could have been shared much earlier. I decided to cancel my appointment and move forward, as I had already felt stressed and unsure of this avenue.

That was 2022. Another year had passed and I was becoming desperate. At the start of 2023, I was able to find a different doctor. My new OB was incredible, she was able to help set me on the right path, and she was kind, patient, and understanding of my frustrations. She had studied under a physician who specialized in infertility and while newer to the world of it all, she was open to helping me reach my goals. We were set to start treatment in June of 2023, which included simple tries, including medication to force ovulation.

Much to our surprise, we became spontaneously pregnant in May of that year! I was thrilled to bypass any additional or invasive care as the five months prior were filled with appointments, HSGs, constant lab work, and more; it had been a part-time job just trying to get pregnant. We began telling family and close friends, as I knew that if something bad were to happen, I would need the support. Unfortunately, that was necessary, as I miscarried our baby at 7 weeks. We were devastated.

June passed in a blur. In July, we traveled to South Dakota to pick up my bonus son for the summer. I had much hope that our time together would help heal my heart. We filled the schedule with all of the fun things you can do in summer in Wisconsin. I ran myself ragged trying to do it all, while completely ignoring myself and my deteriorating mental health. I would cry any chance I had to sit with my thoughts. I became hysterical at the slightest of inconveniences. My husband would hold me and rock me to sleep often while trying to hold himself together as well. Eventually, enough was enough. We both agreed that I needed to get help, although I still didn’t know what that meant.

I had recently heard a success story of someone who had received care from Roger’s Behavioral Health. I left my house one morning to go for a drive, and found myself in a parking lot weeping as I called their informational number to have a mental health screening. It was agreed upon almost immediately that I needed a spot in their Intensive Outpatient program. Less than a week later, I started my therapy. We met 5 days a week for 3.5 hours each day.

During that time, I worked with the therapists one-on-one and in group settings to retrain my thoughts with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). During our group sessions, I began to doodle on my pages to help focus. My doodles received much praise in the group, so I shared some of them on my Facebook page just so that I could mark the memory for myself to look back on in years to come. There, they also gained a lot of attention, and someone recommended using my doodles to support women going through the same. I had no idea what that would mean, but I kept that in the back of my mind.

During my time in therapy, a friend and client of mine gifted me a Joy Bomb, from A Little Something A Lot of Love, which is an organization in Southeast Wisconsin that helps share love with families who experience infant and pregnancy loss. The creator, Emily, is a fellow loss mom who was inspired by her Angel baby to help spread joy. The package contained a few wellness gifts and mementos to remind the recipient that they were loved and not alone while in their darkest hours.

After completing my time at Rogers, I knew that I wanted to be involved with Emily’s work. I continued to draw and found note cards to be the perfect size for my doodles, and a practical way to spread joy myself. I paired with a friend and business owner to host a Doodle Night and sell my cards as a fundraiser for A Little Something. In the month of October, we were able to raise over $600 through a Doodle Night, two pop-up events at local boutiques, and online sales through Facebook.

The power of doodling has truly saved my sanity. When feeling anxious, I go to my creative space and start drawing a few lines. What comes from these lines often leaves me in awe of how simply they start. As the following of my doodles became more popular, I began streaming them on TikTok to spread the word about the benefits of meditative drawing. Word has spread, and I have been able to lead a few more private events for women and Girl Scout troops. I teach not only doodling techniques, but the benefits of mindful breathing, posture, and relaxation. That doodling doesn’t have to have an end result but can be something to help anxious hands find purpose when a racing mind won’t settle itself.

While we continue to work with specialists to become pregnant, my anxiety still gets the best of me from time to time. It has given me the opportunity to be cognizant of what I learned in therapy and has driven me to turn to my pen and notecards more. It brings me back to the prayer I repeated while I was miscarrying our baby; that God would use this pain for good. Through my doodling, I continue to point people to resources that can help them take better control of their mental health. My personal focus is on aiding other mothers on their journey to and through motherhood. I have found so much purpose in serving others through my loss, by using my hands and artwork to bring them to resources.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I began creating simply designed and intriguing note cards. These note cards come in bundles for sale and feature local resources for families facing infant loss and miscarriage on the inside. I use ZenTangle theory behind my designs, which allows for my brain to relax as I create, with little focus or planning on what the end result will be. After each design is created by hand on paper, it is scanned and transferred to a digital platform with which I can easily create prints from. These designs are always in black and white and can offer the sender or the recipient an opportunity to fill in the lines with color – they are often packaged with colored pencils when being given as a gift.

10% of all of my sales benefit a local business A Little Something, A Lot Of Love out of South East Wisconsin. The creator, Emily, curates incredible Joy Bomb packages with donations from other local artisans and small businesses, to leave at local hospitals and clinics. When a woman or family come in seeking help with their pregnancy loss, they are gifted a Joy Bomb from the medical staff, which is filled with resources and lovely gifts to help the moms feel less alone in their darkest days following a miscarriage.

A fun way to interact with fans of my art has been to film my doodles and designs on TikTok. The sped up versions usually last around 1 minute and offer a moment or two of piece while watching the design from start to finish. People have noted that while they aren’t always led to doodle themselves after watching, they do find it mesmerizing to see the project from start to completion in such a short amount of time.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One thing I can absolutely reflect on to start the healing journey through art, was that I had to be open to what would come. There was little room for any preconcieved notions of what my art was “supposed” to look like; much like my healing journey.

I had to acknowledge that my truest joy came from giving back to support women who were experiencing the same pain that I had felt during and after my loss. The praise from my artwork felt great, don’t get me wrong. But knowing that those cards would help reach women who were suffering was the greatest joy to be a part of. The spirit of giving brought me true joy, and reminded me of the light that was in my life previously.

My favorite part of the doodling is that it is so easy, anyone can do it. To start each piece of art, I create a border in my space. Often times putting the first lines or strokes on the page is the hardest part. Beyond that, a few lines get the design started. Whether you are creating repeat strokes or completely random strokes, the best art comes from relaxing and realizing that there are no wrong choices.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

I don’t have anyone in particular in mind when I create my cards. The beauty about them is that they can be purchase, sent by, or sent to just about anyone. When I am curating a bundle of cards to sell as a set, I will sometimes create a broader theme. Earlier this year, I created a floral bundle that was inspired by the spring season that was approaching. The goal for that was to highlight the beautiful blooms that were to come. Other times, certain holidays or occasions have been the theme in a simple greeting card bundle. Often enough, the random designs seems to do quite well. Outside of being sent out, I’ve been told of others who frame the designs as small and functional pieces of art. Whether left as black and white art as it is sent out, or colored and filled in, this artwork allows the recipients an opportunity to be inspired, too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyreneoswald
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553280519584
• Other: https://www.momsmentalhealthinitiative.org/post/how-doodling-and-cbt-changed-my-outlook\

  TikTok @kellyreneoswald