Depression and Pyrography

A Community For Support

Lizette Mendoza

Author of

"Depression and Pyrography"

Surviving Depression
My Remarkably Powerful Story of Healing

This is my remarkably powerful story of surviving depression, P.T.S.D., and personal loss. Through pain, setbacks, and resilience, I discovered healing in the most unexpected place: pyrography, the art of woodburning. My journey is not only about survival but about finding strength, creativity, and purpose in the face of darkness.
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One Quiet Moment Journal featuring Lizette Mendoza, Wallie and Cano
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"Lizette Mendoza using pyrography as art therapy while working on her first woodburning project, a creative activity that helped her cope with depression and grief after losing her dog Cano."

Early Life in Puerto Rico

I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The vibrant culture, warm sunshine, and stunning beaches made my childhood unforgettable. Yet, behind those moments of joy, I often felt lost — searching for my place in this big world. I carried confusion and silence, never fully understanding why life felt so heavy at times.

In 1978, still in high school, I enrolled in a small technical institute called Advanced Computer College. That was where I had my first encounter with computers. A spark lit up inside me. Fast forward to 2001, I proudly earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and began teaching at the same university. It was a milestone I had worked hard for, but deep inside, I still hadn’t found where I truly belonged.

Struggles and Diagnosis

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Living With P.T.S.D. and Depression
In 2006, I moved to Florida to work as a bilingual internet help-desk technician. But in 2009, an asthma attack changed my life. After seeking medical help, my doctor recognized the weight I had been carrying for years. He referred me to a psychiatrist, and that’s when I was finally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) and depression — conditions rooted in the childhood trauma I had endured but rarely spoke about.
The Turning Point Through Therapy
Therapists and medications helped me stabilize, but the questions never left me: Where do I belong? Why do I feel so broken? For years, I struggled in silence — until two dogs, "Cano" and "Wallie", gave me a reason to belong again.
My Descent Into Darkness
With treatment, I tried to move forward, but in 2013, depression consumed me again. Crisis became a daily reality, and by September I lost my job. I hit rock bottom. In October 2014, I was admitted to the hospital for nine days. Group therapy was hard, but it showed me I wasn’t alone. There were others fighting battles just like mine.

Loss and Grief

Saying Goodbye to My Beloved Dog “Cano”

“Cano” wasn’t just my dog — he was my anchor, my family, and my reason to fight through each day. In 2019, I lost him, and with him, I lost my balance. The grief was crushing, and my depression deepened into a darkness I couldn’t escape.

How Loss Opened the Door to Art

My therapist encouraged me:

Try something for yourself. Find a way to let the pain out.

That’s when I turned to YouTube and discovered pyrography — the art of woodburning. With trembling hands and a broken heart, I began to burn my tears into wood. Every mark carried my grief, but also released a little of the weight I had been holding.

Discovering Pyrography as Healing

"Lizette Mendoza using pyrography as art therapy while working on her first woodburning project, a creative activity that helped her cope with depression and grief after losing her dog Cano."
One Quiet Moment Journal featuring Lizette Mendoza, Wallie and Cano
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pet loss is a heartfelt image of a dog with a collar, representing the bond and memories shared with Cano, who is dearly missed.
My First Encounter With Woodburning
At first, it seemed so simple — just fire and wood. But pyrography quickly became a meditation, a lifeline. For a few minutes each day, I could escape the crushing waves of depression and focus on creating something that carried both my pain and my love.
A Meditative Path to Recovery
Burning wood became a way to burn my sorrow, to transform loss into something tangible. It connected me to "Cano’s" memory and gave me moments of peace I thought were impossible.
Sharing Healing Through My Manuscript
As pyrography became part of my daily healing, I realized I couldn’t keep this discovery to myself. I began writing a book — Depression and Pyrography: A Way to Fool Your Brain — to share how art therapy saved me, and how it might help others facing similar struggles.

Depression and Pyrography

A Way to Fool Your Brain

This manuscript is not just a book. It’s a tribute to “Cano”, to “Wallie” (who still walks beside me), and to every person battling depression or P.T.S.D. It’s proof that healing can come from unexpected places — even from fire and wood.

This manuscript is not just a book. It’s a tribute to “Cano”, to “Wallie” (who still walks beside me), and to every person battling depression or P.T.S.D. It’s proof that healing can come from unexpected places — even from fire and wood.

Discovering Pyrography as Healing

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Creating a Website for Mental Health
After the COVID-19 pandemic, finding consistent therapy became difficult. Instead of surrendering to isolation, I used my computer skills to build this website. A space where others struggling with depression, P.T.S.D., and anxiety could find community, healing, and hope.
Connecting With Others Through Art
I know how painful it feels to carry silent battles. Through this community, my manuscript, and my story, I want others to know: You are not alone. Healing is possible. And even in the darkest moments, there is always a spark waiting to ignite hope.

Continue Your Journey of Healing & Hope

After exploring Depression and Pyrography, we invite you to discover more ways to find strength, creativity, and support through our community resources.

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