— Change, Confidence, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships —

To the First Man I Ever Loved: Thank You For Helping Me Find Peace

April 6, 2023

To the First Man I Ever Loved: I remember exactly how good you made me feel at 16 years old. How I told you things I had never told anyone. How hearing your voice, seeing you, just knowing you loved me, was enough for me to forget what he did to my innocent body. I… Read More To the First Man I Ever Loved: Thank You For Helping Me Find Peace

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Relationships —

Forgiving Someone Who Isn’t Sorry

January 18, 2023

My partner and I recently got engaged and this is something I never dreamed of happening again. After the breakdown of my 12 year marriage, I was adamant that I’d rather die alone than risk heartbreak and loss again. The idea of ever making it down the altar again was something that never crossed my… Read More Forgiving Someone Who Isn’t Sorry

— Change, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Relationships —

The Worst Relationship Advice I’ve Ever Received and How It Almost Broke Me

January 2, 2023

Trigger warning: Child abuse, sexual assault, family and domestic violence Growing up, I was not surrounded by healthy versions of love. I was sexually abused by a family member for years. My first depiction of love was family and domestic violence, punches being thrown in glass doors, incessant arguing after family dinners, and heads being… Read More The Worst Relationship Advice I’ve Ever Received and How It Almost Broke Me

— Decisions, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Moving Forward —

You Abused Me. But I Would Still Save Your Life.

October 28, 2022

Trigger warning: Sexual assault, child abuse Gardening, for some people, is quite relaxing. Being in nature, hearing the birds chirping away, the sun shining. For me, it’s always been something more. Whenever I am watering my gardens or weeding, I remember a time when I felt incredibly conflicted. I was a teenager on the verge… Read More You Abused Me. But I Would Still Save Your Life.

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships, Respect —

I Know That You Loved Me. I Just Didn’t Love Myself Enough

October 3, 2022

Trigger warning: Child abuse, sexual assault Prior to my current relationship, I have been in love with 4 other people. With each person, I have felt that I could see myself spending the rest of my life with them. With each person, I hold positive memories of us laughing, going out to different places, sharing… Read More I Know That You Loved Me. I Just Didn’t Love Myself Enough

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships —

The Beginning of the Rest of My Life

May 30, 2022

Trigger warning: Child abuse, sexual assault. Last week was by far, one of the most emotional weeks of my life. I had been building myself up for something, knowing full well that that day would leave me feeling anxious, stressed, emotional, and confused. That day was all those emotions and more. But I have now… Read More The Beginning of the Rest of My Life

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Relationships —

How Covid Isolation Helped Me Find Myself

April 2, 2022

On 7th March this year, my life completely changed. I have not been the same person since this day, both for better and worse. On this very day, I was made aware that I was a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case. I knew immediately, upon hearing their results, that there was no way… Read More How Covid Isolation Helped Me Find Myself

— Change, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Moving Forward, Purpose, Relationships, Respect, Success —

You Took My Innocence Away but I Forgive You

March 25, 2022

Trigger warning: Sexual assault, child abuse Not too long ago, I couldn’t look at a tub of Vaseline without remembering what you did with it and where – when I was only 11 years old. I couldn’t use Vaseline, it had to be lip balm, chapstick, anything else, because that yellow tub took me back… Read More You Took My Innocence Away but I Forgive You

— Change, Confidence, Decisions, Determination, Feelings, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Success —

You Are Not Defined By Your Mental Health Struggles: Finding Strength During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 30, 2020

Trigger warning: Child abuse, sexual assault, suicide There was a heartbreaking time, many years ago, when I couldn’t sleep without worrying that I’d be woken by a real boogie man in the night. So I’d lie awake, very late into the night, doing whatever I could, watching TV, listening to music, anything just to avoid… Read More You Are Not Defined By Your Mental Health Struggles: Finding Strength During the COVID-19 Pandemic

— Change, Decisions, Feelings, Forgiveness, Happiness, Hope, Inspiration, Moving Forward, Purpose, Regret, Success, Support —

A Bad Decision Doesn’t Make You a Bad Person

December 8, 2019

Many of us feel pretty sure of ourselves. We see another person make a “bad” decision, engage in some reckless behaviour, or act out of character – and we are quick to say “I would never do something like that.” We can’t help but judge others for decisions we “clearly” wouldn’t make ourselves. But in… Read More A Bad Decision Doesn’t Make You a Bad Person