My aha-moment has been more of a long process that has been brewing underneath a lot of other funk for many, many years now. I reckon ever since my childhood. But now, since the start of this year, I've been given insights (in the offline world, on my own). I guess because I somehow decided to open up myself to that amount of pain. It's sometimes unbearable, but much needed in order for me to change my life for the positive.

What that aha-moment is in my case? Well, I've had an extremely abusive father till the age of 17 (parents got divorced when I was 6). But now, at age 24, I all of a sudden began to REALLY see how my mother has neglected me mentally ever since I could remember, and still does. To me it all of a sudden becomes more and more clear what kind of issues she has, issues I cannot compete with and never could have.

I am moving out of the house (living with mom still), to start my own life in a couple of months. I feel excited and positive about it (and anxious as well), but the reason why is bittersweet. It feels as if I'm being given the chance to start life all over again, as if a clean slate is being given to me, in which I am going to fill in the blanks.

That chance has also revealed just how much of a negative factor my mum has been throughout my life. I am now facing the question if I want to keep my mother in my life when I move on, or not. It is very hard for me to say, but the way she still is as a person, with her own struggles which she does not want to face, I'd have to say that it is better for my own mental health to leave her behind, for whatever amount of time is needed to gain the peace and quiet I so desperately need.

It wrecks my heart, and my mother is giving me an extremely hard time for it while I still live under her own roof, which makes some days unbearable to function. But still, in amidst of this all, I feel this unexplainable strength to nurture and care for myself, and to put myself on the #1 place in my life. I love my mother to bits, because she has also shown me how much of an amazing person she can be, despite her own hardships (she has had a horrible past, she unfortunately reflected/still reflects it onto me, and she's scared to face her own emotions and such). But now, it is time for ME.

Now, that is what I call a huge aha-moment :) Does anyone identify themselves with this? I have been wondering if there are people out here who know the struggle. <3

Mine was when I realized how much stronger I was after my husband came home from deployment. I thought "I could never do that again"....but now he comes home soon and I obviously already did. I tend to be a great thinker when it comes down to it. SO GLAD! Whew!

One of my biggest Aha moments recently was realizing why I felt so needy growing up. I was always one of those people who felt the need to be in a relationship, or that I needed validation on some level in order to be happy with myself. Obviously those feelings are toxic, so I started to think about it. I realized that I simply didn't believe in myself, but more importantly, that I just wanted someone to care. Because I didn't care. Because I was too focused on getting others to care about me. I didn't realize the my own power in being able to care for myself and how important that is. There's a lot of reasons why this mindset developed throughout my life, mainly trauma and abuse, but it's really empowering to find a kind of solution to something so big.

Four simple words I repeat to myself everyady : You'll be okay, kid. :)

this is for everyone who cuts or has ever even thought of cutting; please every time you want to cut, take a marker and draw on yourself. it could just be a simple circle on your wrist, or it could be a intricate pattern all the way up your leg. its your choice. i used to cut and this simple tip jas helped me so much.

My greatest AHA moment was realizing that over-worrying and over-thinking every aspect of my life wasn't getting me anywhere. Now I've learned to enjoy the moment. I have so many meaningful memories now. It's crazy how memories can be lost when you spent that time worrying and analyzing yourself. Hopefully more people can learn to set themselves free and let life take them on an adventure too.

My Aha moment: i have a problem. I can't ignore it and pretend it isn't there or I'm making it up. My anxiety and depression is a thing that is holding me back. I have had it for a long time, but am willing to let it go and not be a part of me anymore

Published on January 2009 Natalie Gronner

Broken Love

My most recent Aha Moments occurred as I was reading a book that I now hold close to my heart.The book is entitled Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff and it's written by Richard Carlson. It is a must-read. I borrowed it from my local library but I ended up loving it so much that I bought a copy to own. I definitely do recommend this book as it puts a lot into perspective and many ideas can be applied to our daily lives. I hope you all look into it! And enjoy it as much as I did.

I had a "aha-moment" which is quite funny on one side.
I met a boy through a dating website and I really liked him. When we first had a date, I was completely freaking out. What if he thought I wasn't nice? If I was ugly? Etc. etc. etc.
Until I met him. I didn't like him (well, he was okay but not like-like him). Not once did I realize it wasn't only his choice, I could also be the one not liking him. It didn't cross my mind once before I went on that date. :')