How Connecting with Other Survivors Changed My Healing Journey

For a long time, I navigated my trauma alone. The weight of my circumstances seemed too heavy to share, and I always worried that no one would understand, much less believe, what I was going through. The few times I'd talked about it, was with people who hadn't been through it, and afterwards, I left feeling worse than I had before. It wasn’t until I finally connected with other survivors, that I began to see a glimmer of hope—and a new path to healing.

I remember the first time I sat down with the group. My anxiety was in full swing. The idea of opening up about my experiences again, felt unsafe. But I knew if I was truly going to heal, I had to get used to talking about everything. The first time I walked into the room, with everyone sitting in a circle talking like they'd known each other forever, I felt like an outsider. But after the first meeting, it felt like a new family.

The room was filled with women whose stories mirrored my own in so many ways. It was as if we all spoke the same language that no one else could understand. They talked about their experiences with a raw honesty that was unfiltered, and disarming. As everyone shared, I started seeing pieces of my own story reflected in theirs. And for the first time, (except for a handful of people in my life), I didn’t have to explain myself or justify my feelings.

The group was a space where vulnerability was not just accepted but encouraged, and pain was acknowledged, not dismissed or minimized. A place where we were not allowed to even whisper "I'm sorry". It was in these rooms, with these women, from all different backgrounds and circumstances, that for the first time in years, I found a sense of true belonging.

The support group became more than just a meeting; it became a lifeline. I learned new coping strategies from others who had walked similar paths. But it was the emotional support that had the most significant impact on me. We cried together. We laughed together. We connected in a way I didn't know was possible. Strangers became friends, mentors, and sisters in that room. The encouragement, empathy, and understanding helped me believe that healing was not only possible, but absolutely within reach. As I began to feel less isolated, I gained more confidence, and my own path unfolded. I started to feel whole and worthy again, and certain that everything I'd gone through was preparation for helping others heal too.

These women showed me that while everyone's healing journey is deeply personal, it doesn’t have to be walked alone. This tribe, this network of support, has made a significantly positive difference in every aspect of my life, and I don't know where I'd be right now if I hadn't taken the first step into that room.

If you’re struggling with trauma, I encourage you take a step too.

Reach out and find a support group near you, or even online.

You don’t have to navigate pain alone.

There are people who get it! There is support, hope and healing.

And you're worth it!

xo

Jayne