You could say I’ve been through a trauma or two. Between foster care, homelessness, and the loss of my mother and sister only ten months apart, life has granted me a handful of experiences that were less than ideal.
The walls I built to protect myself over the years became my sanctuary. I grew comfortable, almost to the point of forgetting that they were even there. I had put my heart in a jail cell of sorts, constructed—piece by piece—from all of the pain I endured over the years. Eventually, the walls felt solidified. They felt permanent, and even the idea of trying to knock them down felt downright impossible. So I grew to like the walls. I hung pictures and made it a home because that was easier.
But in time, the comfort and familiarity of the walls were replaced by the feeling that I was missing out. As I worked to protect my heart from any more pain, I was keeping love from entering, too. Trauma had put me in survival mode; after going through so much heartache, chancing happiness was far too risky. I wanted things to be certain and stable, rather than chaotic and unpredictable.
The thing is, life is rarely just one or the other.
The world is full of duality: the good and the bad; the joy and the pain; the laughter and the tears. The human condition contains a multitude of spectrums, constantly shifting from one end to the other. Life is supposed to treat us well, is supposed to be joyful and full of laughter. But life is never only those things—it’s also frustrating as hell and packed with pain and tears.
I was afraid of those things, afraid of facing my trauma, because making it through trauma is one thing, but turning back around to truly face it for what is? That’s terrifying. But the strength that is built through vulnerability is unmatched to any strength I have ever known.
I’ve learned that I can feel sad and smile at the same time when the sun kisses my skin. I’ve learned that I can feel a tightness in my chest and belly laugh simultaneously. I’ve learned that I’m allowed to be all of the things my heart is capable of holding. Pain and joy don’t often exist without the other and I am now accepting the possibility of both.
Yes, you could say I’ve been through a trauma or two, but you can also now say that I’ve loved people deeper than I ever thought possible.
You can do both and still be okay. You can do both and be better than okay.
E.K.
“Pain and joy don’t often exist without the other and I am now accepting the possibility of both.” Truer words have never been spoken. Sometimes when we’re feeling devastated, overwhelmed and helpless, it’s hard to see past the depression, anxiety, trauma, struggles, etc. It seems as if our world is crashing down and nothing will get better. But we often forget that the pain doesn’t completely get rid of our other emotions– we’re still worthy and capable of feeling joy, hope, wonder, and love. Thank you for putting this important reminder in this blog.
BCIS
Aneva Jefferson’s candid reflection on her journey through profound trauma and the subsequent emotional fortifications she constructed is both poignant and inspiring. Her narrative captures the essence of human resilience and the intricate process of healing, as she navigates the complexities of embracing vulnerability after enduring such profound hardships. Aneva’s courage in confronting her trauma, acknowledging the self-imposed barriers to her emotional well-being, and her willingness to explore the possibilities of life beyond pain, offer a powerful testament to the strength and growth that can emerge from the depths of adversity. Her story is a compelling reminder that while trauma may shape us, our responses to it define our path forward, illuminating the potential for transformation even in the darkest of times.
Denise Bowen
I love this