I Get It

I get the unspeakable shame and emotional pain and trauma of child abuse as a child and adult child. I get how you want to hurt yourself just to stop the pain and self-sabotage because you have no healthy sense of direction. I get it. Let’s talk about what creates trauma. Let’s talk about it without judgement. Let’s talk about how trauma and it’s buddies that keep you stuck.

Let’s talk about mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness. As we speak openly about these struggles of ours and those we know, the power of alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness become manageable. Talk to everyone about how important mental health is and that ending the suffering is possible, talk to therapists, go to 12 step programs, and go to groups that are struggling with what you are struggling with, find your supporters, show up for your own recovery.

You may not be validated as you speak out and that is OK, keep looking for those who are supportive of you. Go no contact with those who are actively self-destructive. It is perfectly OK to protect yourself. It’s OK to search for what you need; it’s OK to search for meaning and making sense of your life. It’s OK to heal; it’s OK to take your time in recovery.

Recovery is not quick and most clichés that suggest quick fixes are victim blaming and not realistic. It takes a long time to relearn trust and un-blend the destructive false beliefs from your thinking.

Start now, start when you are ready, start when you are scared and unsure, just start, you are so worthy of a wonderful life.