Hello, I hope your journey with the Blogging GEMS series has brought you some hope and encouragement, even if it’s a glimmer. That’s all you need to take the next step towards whatever the ‘next step’ in your life is.
This month’s blog is all about support systems; what kind I had in place and what helped me during my healing.
Wow! Seems like a lot to pack into 500 words… but I will give you the short version.
Listening to My Inner Voice
My first support was myself.
I’ve always had an inner belief that I am destined for more – even though my childhood environment could be described as something like a war zone. It was the inner voice best known as our intuition.
My inner voice gently guided me which direction to go.
This was one of the hardest lessons to learn. I never listened to my inner voice. I’d had too many external voices telling me, “You are nothing, without me”, or, “You’re just like…” The list continued.
So, why would I listen to my inner voice when others who knew me were telling me different?
Then, one day, my inner voice got louder and louder until I could no longer push it down and discard it.
Healing Supports
At 27, I picked up the phone and started the search for my first counsellor.
It was where I first learnt that what I had survived was Childhood Domestic Violence, as well as other traumatic experiences. I had a name for it, the reasons behind a variety of feelings and emotions.
That counsellor was the first of a few different styles of therapy, until I found the right fit for me.
A few years ago, I knew I needed to see another therapist. I went along to my doctor, who took the time to listen and hear me on what I was currently experiencing, and searched the varying psychologists in the area.
It certainly was the best decision. I found the support of an incredible empathetic and compassionate psychologist who on the first visit declared, “I am here for the long haul, no matter how long it takes.” This gave me the hope that this was not going to be a shallow solution.
As I got stronger, I started focusing on strengthening other areas. Which friendships did I have around me? I took stock of what type of people I wanted in my life. What kind of interests did I want to explore? Were there any courses I wanted to complete?
New Opportunities
Removing the toxicity along with the healing transformation produced an acceleration of new opportunities. I became an author sharing my story, and explored returning back to work full-time.
I now have an incredible support system that’s full of unconditional love which I’ve never
experienced before in my life. I have the confidence to go after my dreams.
Blogging GEMS program
This Blog is a part of the Blogging GEMS program, which supports domestic violence survivors to practise the self-care strategies of Gratitude, Exercise, Mindfulness, Support, and Service (GEMS). As they practise the strategies, they blog about it.you can read their survivor GEMS Blogs:
Gratitude Blogs:
Exercise Blogs
Mindfulness Meditation Blogs:
Service Blogs
Support Blogs
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