Hi Scott!

I really appreciate your kind words. It’s really brave of you to pursue a career path that differs from what you initially expected. I’m glad that Early Childhood Education aligns more closely with your goal of helping others. I’m so happy for you!

I am also exploring how I want to move forward in my career. Currently, I am earning my certification to teach Pilates, and I can’t wait to share the beauty of the mind-body connection with others!

I wish you peace, safety, and prosperity as you continue your journey. Be sure to listen to your body and take it easy during this big life change.

All the best,
Natalie

I’m a few years into my own healing journey and this gives me a lot of hope and inspiration at a time when I need it. I quit a toxic job 9 months ago and since started pursuing Early Childhood Education at College. This is something I never would have seen myself doing even 2 years ago. The last month has been especially intense as my nervous system has been releasing a TON of built up energy.

When I graduate I hope that I can teach the children I work with foundational skills of self regulation so they can be set up for better success!

Thank you for your very sweet and kind comment, Stephen!!

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really feeling great these days. As I mentioned, I still have work to do and am laser-focused on my continued progress. It feels like the last lap of a marathon! If I had to estimate, I would say about 90% of my symptoms have been resolved, which is significant progress, considering I only started taking control of my situation a little under a year ago.

I’m truly sorry to hear that you are in so much pain from what you went through in a short amount of time. It saddens me that you can relate to all the things I wrote. I deeply understand what you’re feeling at this very moment. I want to encourage you that it absolutely *can* and *will* get better. Unfortunately, though, it does require effort. I suggest you start with baby steps in your healing journey. Initially, my baby steps included things like: 1) spending 5 minutes in the sunshine each day, 2) cutting out caffeine to improve my sleep, 3) practicing meditation and breathing exercises with five-minute meditation videos on YouTube, etc. I had to practically force myself to do these things at first. Now, a year later, these things are effortless for me, have become a part of my daily routine, and my body is capable of so much more at this point!

I’m currently in the process of creating a personal blog where I will share more specific healing tips that helped me a bunch. I plan to link it to my CPTSD Foundation author bio once it’s ready, so keep an eye on my posts for updates. Maybe it’s something you’d be interested in following along on.

Even though I don’t know you in real life, I could feel your pain through your words, and I want to encourage you that there is hope on the other side of this battle. It is entirely possible to get there! Please keep pushing forward and don’t give up on your fight. I hope to see you on my future posts!

Hi Camille!

I’m intrigued to hear that we had a similar experience in seeking out a neurologist for help with our symptoms. I also have not yet met another survivor that did that! So, I appreciate your comment. It really speaks to how desperate we were for help.

Same thing here – my neurologist played a crucial role in helping me recognize the need for a trauma-based approach to my healing, but beyond his initial tests, he couldn’t provide much support. As I began looking for trauma-informed professionals within the mental health system, I sadly learned that many who advertise themselves as trauma-informed are often the opposite. I spent another couple of years taking backward steps instead of moving forward. It’s baffling how many “experts” and specialists are so misinformed about trauma, leading to harmful care for their patients. My progress happened exponentially this past year when I made the decision to face my demons on my own, listen to my intuition, and teach myself to regulate my nervous system. These symptoms were really nothing that any specialist or medication could “fix.”

To seek out a neurologist for your symptoms must mean that you underwent some horrific experiences, and I’m truly sorry for what you’ve been through. However, it sounds like your symptoms have resolved and that you are now living peacefully. And, yes, Happy New Year! I wish you the absolute best in 2025. Keep staying strong! ♡

I have been searching desperately to find anything at all that could help me see a way forward in my situation. I have experienced multiple traumas and horrific abuse in a relatively short period of time. These experiences have threatened my life as I can’t see a way out of them and the round the clock torture (that you described) is unbearable. I resonate with all that you wrote. All of it. Knowing that you have emerged in a good way gives me hope tonight. I don’t know where to start but I know that it’s possible to heal because you have. That’s a starting point…because I truly didn’t know if it was humanly possible. Thank you.

Hi Ellie,

I’m so sorry to hear about the pain and suffering you’re going through right now. For many years, “fake it ’til you make it” was my motto as I concealed what I was truly feeling inside. It’s not easy to pretend that everything is okay when it isn’t.

I’m glad that some of my experiences resonated with you and inspired you to take active steps toward caring for yourself and finding small moments of peace and joy. You are fully capable of experiencing these moments. I’m sending positive energy your way and wishing you all the best in the new year and beyond!