Reflections: Stories from My Healing Journey

9: That Time I Found Faith as a Trauma Survivor

In the final episode of Season 1, I dive into the question I am most commonly asked - after everything you have survived, how do you still have faith? This story is about how leaning into faith helped me to survive my darkest days. I share the intimate story of grappling with suicidal thoughts and how an astonishing midnight miracle helped reignite my hope after grappling with the hard realities of being a survivor of rape and sexual assault. I share about my grief after the death of a close friend, the shock of repressed memories, and navigating suicidal ideation. This is a story of healing, faith, and learning to be compassionate with myself and all my feelings – even the really challenging ones. And for anyone who relates to thoughts of suicide, I promise you it does get better. Your life matters. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of Reflections Season 1. Timestamps * 0:00 Introduction * 1:00 Story - That Time I Found Faith as a Trauma Survivor * 9:40 Final Thoughts You can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections [https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections] For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ [https://www.newviewadvice.com/] Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems [https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems]

8: That Time I Made People Uncomfortable Surviving Sexual Assault

In this episode, I reflect on my journey of healing from childhood sexual assault and the ripple effect it had on my life, including making others uncomfortable. From the pain of repressed memories surfacing to trying to open up to loved ones and professionals, I share how society's discomfort with trauma left me feeling alone and ashamed. In this story, I reflect on - why is it my responsibility to make others comfortable with my truth? Why is compassion for survivors so scarce? How can we navigate discomfort and find new ways to support survivors of sexual violence? If you are a survivor, it was not your fault and you are not alone. I am sending you so much love, thanks for listening. This episode contains explicit language. Timestamps * 0:00 Introduction * 1:15 Story - That Time I Made People Uncomfortable * 9:41 Final Thoughts You can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections [https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections] For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ [https://www.newviewadvice.com/] Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems [https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems]

7: That Time I Survived the Bystander Effect

In this episode, I reflect on surviving the bystander effect. I explore the difficult feelings I have grappled with ever since my traumatic experience of being raped and the painful reality of the bystanders who did nothing. What responsibility did the bystanders have to step in, speak up, or intervene when I was being sexually assaulted? Throughout my healing journey, I have continued to reflect on trust, choice, and the power of compassion. If you are a survivor, you are not alone. My intention is to bring light to how these difficult experiences – such as rape and living the through bystander effect – can continue to impact us for years or even decades after the traumatic events themselves. Thank you for listening, send you so much love. Timestamps * 0:00 Introduction * 1:13 Story - That Time I Survived the Bystander Effect * 8:38 Final Thoughts You can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections [https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections] For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ [https://www.newviewadvice.com/] Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems [https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems]

6: That Time I Was Betrayed by Women After Being Raped

In this episode, I share a story about healing from the betrayal of women after sexual assault. After surviving rape, I not only felt betrayed by the perpetrators, but also from those I thought I could trust, including female friends, mentors, and even a spiritual leader. This story dives into the emotional fallout of trusting the wrong people, and in my case thinking that women would be more empathetic to my experience of sexual violence. Along the way, I reflect on self-trust, understanding the complexity of trauma, and the importance of embracing differences and no longer seeking to conform with those around me. This story explores the complexities and feelings of betrayal in the aftermath of sexual trauma. Timestamps * 0:00 Introduction * 1:15 Story - That Time I Was Betrayed By Women After Being Raped * 10:21 Final Thoughts You can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections [https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections]

5: That Time I Had Survivor's Guilt

In this episode, I share a story about how after years of healing from rape and overcoming immense trauma, I found myself facing an unexpected emotional challenge: survivor’s guilt. As I began to reconnect with life, I struggled with the guilt of being alive while others still die by suicide after experiencing sexual assault and rape. I reflect on my own journey of battling suicidal thoughts to embracing life again. This story explores themes of guilt, unworthiness, and self-forgiveness, shedding light on the emotional complexities survivors of trauma and rape often face. If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you are not alone. Sending you so much love, thank you for listening. Timestamps * 0:00 Introduction * 0:47 Story - That Time I Had Survivor's Guilt * 8:57 Final Thoughts You can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections [https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections]