People face many different traumas, challenges, and experiences that form their story. Yet, many people decide to keep it inside. Our stories are important.
It's important because I think there are a lot of people who are dealing with similar things and feeling very alone in their process. I've dealt with PTSD from childhood sexual assault and it has majorly affected my relationship and my self worth and ability to do what I want in my life.
I have had to overcome PTSD from sexual abuse as a child. I've worked with a variety of healers and used a lot of different techniques to process and let go of the trauma: acupuncture, biofeedback, memory reconsolidation, hypnotherapy, diet, meditation, DBT, sharing with others who were dealing with the same thing.
Things still come up - I had some reactions yesterday and the main thing was to accept that that was happening and let it move through my body.
Today I feel better.
If I were given only one word to describe who I am, it would be Mirror. I love seeing people deeply and reflecting them back to themselves.
In our lives, we may have people who help us through our experiences and those we consider to be influential.
For me, “Who has been the most influential person in your life?” is a challenging question to narrow down. I would say either my best friend or my sister. They have both been there for me through the years. My sister also dealt with PTSD, so she understood that part of my journey, She was, and still is, incredibly supportive. Watching her heal herself was incredibly inspiring and gave me hope in the darkest moments. Additionally, my best friend knows me well and reflects back to me with encouragement when I can't see it. She also taught me the skill and value of dark humour - to be able to laugh when it seems like there's nothing to laugh at.
Challenges can make us who we are. After experiencing my hardships, I have learned that I am way stronger than I thought I was. That living in my body, rather than disassociating from it, is the key to me being able to fully engage in my life. That pain is a gateway to a depth of life experience that I wouldn't trade.
