SurvivorsPlace
VIDEO DRAFT: A lot of people who've survived trauma feel alone. The same is true for survivors of addictions. Not only that, we often feel ashamed, guilty, angry, fearful, afraid of what others think of us and even what we think of ourselves. You may relate to some, none, or all of these things. I know myself because I've lived it. I've been there. As a matter of fact, I registered the domain for this site back in 2005 because I wanted to do this and it wasn't until 2021, 16 years later, that I finally found the courage to do it.
So here's the deal. Most everyone I know has had something happen to them, or for them, during their life. I say for because some people actually use these events to raise up to levels that they'd never attain without experiencing their lives in such a way. Now, not everyone sees things this way and if you don't, that's OK too.
Some of us have experienced earth-shattering events and we are impacted in big ways. Some of us have experienced things that others perceive as insignificant, or they minimize, but they still have a profound impact on us - and that's OK. We all respond to everything uniquely. That's the beauty of being human. Whatever your case may be, you came here for a reason.
Maybe you lost a sibling or close family member. Maybe grew up in an abusive or highly dysfunctional family. Maybe you had a parent who wasn't there for you, either due to their lack of presence, or their ability to be there due to an illness. Maybe you've won and then lost fortunes. Maybe you've survived cancer. Maybe you've lost a friend or loved one to cancer or another disease. Maybe like me, you have been physically abused when you were younger.
Whatever the case may be, many people find that by documenting or sharing their story, even if it's never seen because you've marked your story to be private, doing so takes some power away from it - and they ultimately become more powerful people - taking back control of their lives
It's a step in a long journey towards healing and eventually either taking that bag of bricks off your shoulder, or embracing what has happened and figuring out how what has happened has changed you, for better or worse, and where you can go from here.
Some find that sharing their story, either privately with others or publically, releases them from the shame and guilt that they hold inside. This was true for me. We all seem to carry the shame and guilt even though we were likely powerless to the situations that occurred involving us.
It's almost as if the guilt, shame, and other emotions attached to events in our lives are like balloons in our lungs. They are full and they take up space in our lungs that we need to breathe in the oxygen that feeds us. Many find that sharing their stories helps to deflate these balloons - and the emptier the balloons are, the more we are able to breathe.
The balloons still remain within our lungs, they are our scars, and we'll never be without them, in fact, they can still take on air at times, but over time we learn how to deflate them or let them deflate on their own. And when we can breathe, we can live.
So if you are ready, and ONLY if you are ready, fill out the form below. After you do it you'll be sent an email to verify your authenticity.
Click the link in that email and you'll be able to start sharing. You can share in writing, or even record a video. You can be as public or as private as you want. You can even change the settings at any time.
We'll provide you with a step-by-step guild to help you to tell your story. It'll share how to explain things and what to share with the goal of making it easier.
Look, I want to thank you for taking the time and making the effort to do this. It takes a lot of courage. You're working on yourself - and that's HUGE!
Oh, by the way. I have no problem with you using a pseudonym or fake name for the sake of anonymity. Just knowing others hear you, and understand you, and that you aren't being judged can be huge. And know this. Your story may just resonate with someone else who's going through it right now. You may just be the person who helps them not feel alone. And your story may help them immensely.
Getting Started
Complete the form below and then check your email. Inside the email will be a link to activate your account. We promise never to spam you and you'll always be able to opt-out of any email that we do send. We will also never share your information with any third parties. After clicking the link you'll be taken to a page that will give you some tips as to what to include and what not to include in your story, like anything that might identify others who may have been involved. Just like we value your privacy, keeping others' identities private is critical. We appreciate you and your willingness to share. We're proud of you! We hope that others are able to connect with your story as well so that they won't feel so alone. Knowing you aren't the only one can be incredibly healing. And just know, you aren't the only one!
After you register you'll be sent an email to verify your account. Click the link in the email and we'll get started.