Storms, Survival, and Showing Up Anyway

As a young girl, she experienced unspeakable trauma that shook her to her very core. But despite the overwhelming adversity she faced, she refused to be broken. In the eyes of the world, she was a symbol of strength and resilience, a shining example of overcoming the odds. But inside, she felt alone.

The praise was plentiful, but the support was scarce. She was tired, stressed, and drained, constantly battling her doubts and insecurities. She longed for someone to truly see her, to understand the pain and struggle she had endured. But it seemed that no one could truly grasp the depth of her pain.

Despite the lack of support, she continued to rise against all odds. She poured her heart and soul into her work, determined to carve out a successful future for herself. She pushed through the doubt and fear, using her trauma as fuel to propel herself forward.

And slowly but surely, she began to see the fruits of her labor. Her hard work and determination paid off as she found success in her chosen field. She became a beacon of hope for others who had faced similar struggles, inspiring them to rise above their own trauma and adversity.

But even as she achieved success, the feeling of being alone lingered. She wondered if anyone truly understood the battles she had fought and the scars she carried. And yet, she found solace in the knowledge that she had overcome the darkest moments of her life. She was a survivor, a warrior, and nothing could diminish the strength she possessed.

In the end, she realized that she didn’t need the validation of others to define her worth. She had proved to herself that she was capable of overcoming the most extreme adversity and rising above the challenges that had threatened to consume her. And in that realization, she found the courage to stand tall and proud, knowing that she had fought her battles alone, but emerged victorious.

Written May 18, 2025.

If you've been following this blog for a while, it’ll probably be obvious that this post is about me. Still, I sometimes wonder if anyone truly understands what I feel—or if they understand me at all. But honestly? That question doesn’t carry the weight it used to. I’ve stopped needing to be understood by everyone. I’m learning to be at peace with simply being understood by myself.

I’ve never fit neatly into the professional world. I’m not polished or conventional, and I don't mask well. I’m quirky, intense, sensitive, “too much” for some people. And while others may label me as “odd” or even “crazy,” the truth is: I’m autistic. I have ADHD. I live with complex PTSD. That combination—AuDHD plus trauma—shapes how I experience the world. And while it complicates things, it also makes me who I am.

I’ve had to learn a lot on my own—how to function, how to self-soothe, how to self-parent. Solitude used to feel like punishment. Now it’s something I’ve come to respect, even enjoy. Being alone forced me to build skills, find stability, and become my own safety net. It’s also made space for a kind of clarity I never had in the noise of trying to “fit in.”

I’ve developed tools and coping strategies that help me navigate life, and for the most part, they work. But I’m still searching for a professional space where I don’t have to shapeshift just to belong. That’s a chapter I’m not quite ready to unpack yet—but it’s there, unfolding.

Here’s what I do know: I’ve survived everything life has thrown at me so far. And life, lately, hasn’t held back. It’s been one obstacle after another. Still, I’m here. Still standing. Still dreaming.

Storms are never pleasant. They leave you soaked and shaken. But often, there’s something quietly beautiful waiting on the other side—a moment of peace, a deeper knowing, a reminder of your resilience.

So no matter what comes next, I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep chasing my passions, honoring my goals, and choosing to believe that even when it’s hard, this journey is worth it.

I may not fit into every space. But I belong to myself now. And that’s enough.