Maidstone mum turned author speaks of childhood neglect in new book ‘Escaping Bohemia’
14:00, 05 October 2020
updated: 14:03, 05 October 2020
A woman from Maidstone has spent her time in lockdown digging through painful childhood memories of neglect and collecting them into a book she hopes will help others.
Sophia Moseley, a photographer from Albert Reed Gardens, has released 'Escaping Bohemia' a journal of events she went through growing up with a mum battling drug and alcohol addiction.
In February the 48-year-old was one of 14 survivors who penned the experiences that changed their lives for the book 'The Girls Who Refused To Quit'.
Writing this chapter inspired Mrs Moseley to carry on exploring the traumatic memories she thought she had escaped as they resurfaced.
The mother-of-two added: "One memory led to another and before I knew it I had this a journal of everything I processed.
"I held quite a lot of pain, embarrassment and guilt as a child and now I'm older I realise I didn't need to.
"It shares quite a few events that occurred over the course of my childhood, some are quite dark, some have humor, and some are quite shocking.
"It took a lot out of me and I was drained at points and made me question a lot but it was a real in depth process."
Her mother, who passed away 20 years ago from addiction, was verbally abusive and Mrs Moseley said she was unkind, due to her drinking.
She described her upbringing as bohemian and for many years didn't share the truth with anyone, even her husband Jason knew very little.
Through her book, she feels now is the right time to open up and hopes bearing all will help others who may have similar experiences.
She added: "When it was published there was a part of me that thought ‘Oh my word what have I done?’ but also I feel relieved, lighter and like I've let it go.
"The fact that making myself vulnerable can help others who may be going through something similar, or feeling as I did as a child which was alone and scared, makes me realise I've done the right thing."
Mrs Moseley has already been contacted by a local school to talk to pupils about her experience.
'Escaping Bohemia' is available to buy from Amazon and on Kindle.
