At nineteen, Michelle was a positive and confident young woman. She was so proud of her favorite physical feature—long, flowing strawberry-blonde hair. She hadn’t heard of the term Alopecia Areata before, but it would change her life. She planned to grow her hair down to her waist, weaving it into her identity, a symbol of […]
Tag: resilient stories
Navigating Constructive Dismissal Amidst Personal Struggles
Nathan’s story is a deeply personal journey, marked by intense struggles with addiction, health challenges, and a professional crisis. These challenges culminated in what he later recognized as constructive dismissal. His life has been a complex tapestry, where personal battles often overshadowed moments of professional success. For every hill he crested, a valley waited to […]
How The Fall Season Inspires Reflection and Letting Go
When is the official start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere? Does it begin in early September, late August, or at the Autumn equinox? Ask multiple people when fall begins, and you’ll likely have some different answers. The First Day of the Fall Season For me, it commences when autumn foliage begins appearing, […]
From a Suicide Survivor: A Story of Loss, Resilience, and Advocacy
The early years of my life were marked by struggles with body image, feelings of isolation, and a deep sense of not belonging. As a suicide survivor, I now reflect on the pain and insecurities that nearly consumed me. Society’s impossible standards and the silence surrounding mental health shaped who I am today. I hope […]
Healing Generational Trauma: Reclaiming Your Self-Worth
Written by: Sara Beth Wald This was a really difficult post to sit down and write. Who knew healing generational trauma would sneak up on me this way? In fact, I missed the deadline by three days, which is a big deal for me. Back in my columnist days, I gave birth on a Monday […]
Healing From Childhood Trauma: A Long Journey to Finding Myself
I started out as a bewildered traveler when I embarked on my journey of healing from childhood trauma in August 2022. I had no idea what it would involve. There was no map and only a vague impression of my destination. Let’s just say I took the meandering, scenic route. I didn’t understand what healing […]
Retinal Detachment Surgery: Finding My Vision Amidst Darkness
My name is Alan Cruz, and I’m 23 years old. I’m an entrepreneur, world traveler, adventurer, and someone who believes in living life to the fullest—even if that means dealing with retinal detachment surgery. From a young age, I’ve always had a natural curiosity that led me to explore the world around me. I was […]
From Meth Addict to Survivor: Patty’s Road to Recovery
Patty was not always a meth addict. When I sat with her, it shocked me to learn that her first time using meth was at 46. She said she had been “anti-drug” all of her life. If you were doing drugs, she wanted nothing to do with you. That aversion to drugs was because Patty’s […]
Coercive Control: One Woman’s Struggle With This Silent Abuse
Story contributed by Lynae Dolechek Sitting across from Lynae, I initially anticipated this personal interview to be a tale of enduring love. The kind that weathers life’s storms and emerges stronger. Instead, Lynae’s story unfolded as a narrative of coercive control that spanned decades. Initially, she, too, genuinely believed it was a love story where […]
I Never Thought I Would Say Thank You for My Pain and Trauma
When I began my healing journey, my quest for self-discovery, and radical self-acceptance, I didn’t know it would culminate in me wanting to say thank you. It felt like expressing gratitude for some of my pain, trauma, and experiences was just impossible. However, in the quiet moments of reflection, I find myself drawn to thoughts […]