FROM SCARS TO STRENGTH: A WHISPER OF HOPE

My dearest #MentalMonday♥️🧠reader. It has been a minute, or might I say it is becoming a norm that I disappear on many a few times. Well, I will have you know that the reason for this, is to catch a breath, re-calibrate, share a few giggles, because after all healers too need a break! However, today I am here and happy new month, happy new week, above all to those in the same hemisphere as I, happy Spring. May you too find your rebirth in this season, bloom and blossom, because you are worth it. September in mental health is suicide prevention month, and for this reason, this is not just any blog, it is a love letter from me to you, and when you share this post, it becomes a love letter from you to the next person, because yes, I am because we are.

My greatest wish as I type this letter, is that I connect with each and every one of you readers, that when you read the last word, you feel seen, heard and know that you matter. Life in its best is a portrait painted with beautiful experiences while other experiences are frayed and tattered by the weight of our struggles. It is only natural that as we navigate life, we often find ourselves at crossroads, weighed down by the pressures of decision making and making ends meet. It is also at these times that the echoes of our childhood traumas ring ever so loudly, threaten to drown us. Flashbacks of those early days when innocence collided with harsh realities invade our memories. Perhaps we faced challenges that left us feeling small, unworthy, or unheard. These scars can linger, shaping how we steer through our world, influencing our relationships and how we see ourselves. 

And while we always look out for a promise of a better tomorrow, a flicker of hope, a ray of sunshine, life may not grant us that. As we grow, the journey doesn’t always become easier. Teenage years can amplify our insecurities, as we navigate friendships, first loves, and the complexities of growing up. We may find ourselves hurt by those we trusted, leaving us with wounds that seem to refuse healing. These scars can deepen in our adult lives, where the weight of expectations, whether from ourselves or others can feel crushing.

Yet, amid these burdens, I want to remind you that you are not alone. Every struggle you face is valid, and it’s okay to acknowledge the pain that life has brought you. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, to cry, or to scream into the void. These feelings do not define you; they are merely a part of your journey. The Irish have a beautiful lesson for us. When they talk about an emotion they don’t say am sad but rather that sadness is on me. And the beauty of this is there is an implication of not identifying yourself with the emotion fully. Rather what you mean and believe is “I am not sad but sadness is on me for a while. Something else will be on me another time.” And this dear reader, is a good thing to recognize.

Hope is like a flickering candle in the darkest of rooms. It may seem small, but it is powerful. It reminds us that there is light even in the most difficult times. There are people who care, who are willing to listen, and who want to be there for you. Sometimes, it just takes a moment to reach out, to say, “I’m struggling,” and to find someone who will hold space for you without judgment. In all of this, please remember: your story is still being written. There are chapters yet to come, filled with healing, connection, and love. You have the strength to continue, to seek help, and to find solace in the company of those who understand. Even in those moments when you feel that you are trapped in the silent corridors of the soul, with tales too delicate for a tongue to utter, remember there is always someone whowould rather listen to your story than attend you funeral. 

So, as we reflect on our journeys this month, let’s honor our struggles and embrace the hope that lies ahead. Reach out to someone you trust or seek professional support if you need it. Yes, we may feel like we are drowning and get tempted to give in but remember suicide doesn’t take away the pain, it gives it to someone else. Join in the struggle for suicide prevention and together, we can create a world where every voice is heard, every heart is supported, and no one feels they have to carry their burdens alone Because#Mentalhealthmatters♥️🧠