After 14 years at Seneca and two books later, Erin Lawler Patterson will travel the world.
Erin Lawler Patterson is checking items off her bucket list one book at a time. Patterson promised herself she would publish a book before she turned 40, and she did just that. She released her first book, “Peace, Love & Goodness: Lessons from the Drug Lady,” months shy of her 40th birthday.
She recently released her second book, “A Higher Level of Goodness: Lessons from the Drug Lady” and will be checking off the next item on her bucket list — travel to 50 countries before she turns 50.
Her first book reflects on her time spent as a substance awareness coordinator at Seneca High School, along with her previous travels and life lessons she has captured on her journeys.
Her second book, which she started writing immediately after the first’s release, takes a closer look at the impact of mental health stigmas and improving one’s quality of life. As she parts with the high school to pursue her travels, she stated the past 14 years at Seneca have been a beautiful chapter in her life.
Her next chapter begins on July 9, as Patterson, along with her husband and 3-year-old son, will explore approximately 20 countries over the next 10 months. Having previously visited 43 countries, Patterson can proudly check this accomplishment off her list.
Patterson will be documenting her trip through her podcast, Goodness Chick, where she will interview and connect with others while indulging in volunteerism. Her podcast, Facebook page and her website, goodnesschick.com, focus on mental health and addiction, giving back to others and living to the full quality of life.
She hopes to encourage and motivate people on her worldwide adventure, and to get others to “wring the most out of life.”
Her goal is to break the stigma of mental health and addiction, and to make people comfortable talking about their struggles while providing the proper resources to improve their lives.
“We’re in a day and age where people do not have natural, authentic highs in life which impacts their quality of living,” Patterson said. “The more we talk about authenticity and the more we talk about being well, it makes people comfortable.”
She has plans to start her third book, “Global Goodness,” once she returns from her trip, in hopes to send others off on their individual journeys.
Patterson said, “I think too many people are living with the pause button on, and I think once we get encouraged, we get reflective, we get inspired, and it can change your life.”
Patterson’s new book, “A Higher Level of Goodness: Lessons from the Drug Lady” can be purchased on Amazon.
