Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-In Sunday March 4th 2018
Hi Everyone, hope alle are well. 
Today is a special day for me. Today marks three years since I took my destiny into my own hands, injected Estrogen for the first time and began my biological transformation to make my body match my brain. This was one of the most significant points in my life in many ways. This was the moment I took my entire world and really began to change it. At the time, I was still a slave being used and abused every day. Taking this step was when I began to open my eyes and I began to fight back against those whom had been controling me. To me, this is my real birthday, the one I claimed. This was the beginning of my new life. My proper life as the person I was meant to be. This was the beginning of my freedom from the prision my body was, but also my slavery. Taking this action into my hands gave me the courage to fight back against my abusers. I got in alot of trouble with them and they hurt me worse for it, but that really awakened me. I was free of my abusers, and the hundreds of men that used and also abused me six months later. My path has by far not been an easy one since but I am free and finally happy with the person I am and I am becomming. What a Glorious day for me, to have the chance to re-write ones entire life, body, role. This is definately the strangest life I have ever known.
We alle have our aniversarys of things, but here we mostly talk on the bad ones. Tell us of one of your Good aniversarys, share your saga, or just say hi if thats what ye got today. The World Is Yours! This space is for you, please do feel free to use it.
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@Raveninthelabrynth
Hi Raven, this just reminded me that in 2 days it will be 3 years since I started my career in dementia care, the job i work in now. I haven't even fully come to the realization of how much things have changed since that first day at work. The day where i walked in and just instinctually knew that thats where i needed to be. Wow what a realization of how much has changed, of how i started to realize things were not as normal as i thought, of how big an impact i could make on peoples lives. That day i found my true calling in life. I found a way to build a new and better life for myself. Thank you so much for reminding me of this powerful and great moment in my life that helped me on the path I need to be on now.. 
All is not well otherwise, but one foot in front of the other. One second, one minute, one moment at a time.
@calmLake1999 When we find our place in life, that is a true blessing indeed. Thank you for sharing this Calm, and hold on to it when things get tough.
@calmLake1999 oh Calm❤️ Congrats on your career anniversary! I
@purpleWest8143 Hej West, good to see you today. I hope alle is going well for you.
@Raveninthelabrynth hi Raven! Thank YOU for sharing some of your story today ❤️❤️ I am good! Getting ready to head to yoga! 😊 I am not sure what events / challenges I really celebrate aside from my daughters births and finishing nursing school (dec 2012) They were ALL insane challenges as well as extremely proud moments in their own rights 😉
@purpleWest8143 Much Love West, and Well Spoken!
@Raveninthelabrynth Congrats!
For me, I can't pin point any major celebrations, usually only bad ones. Though I have come to a realization that April seems to be the month I take "good decisions" which is scary, because for past 5 years has been my worst month. 5 years ago I attempted suicide in that time which caused psychiatric treatment, and since then I felt that month was bad luck to me - for first 3 years my depression would always get worse. But now I was thinking about 'celebrations' and realized something. In 2015 I decided to quit college which was my hardest decision but also most helpful, was first time I did something for me. Although most people hated me over it. And in 2016 I decided to work on getting back and also decided to finally recover from my eating disorder. Those both situations were in April.
I don't know why, but I think April can be one of those celebrations. Seems like the thing that used to cause me more shame and still does, is the one that makes me just say "screw it, even if this ends up bad or good, I'm giving it a go". It's my "screw it" month!
And now I am following my dream. My mental health isn't 100% but me making those 2 decisions about my future made me get way better, because I have hope. And it meant giving myself power than my family used to have. Even if now I am seen as a failure in their eyes and most people's eyes, I have my dad's support and that's all I need.
(sorry if it's a long one)
@givemecoffee Hugs Coffee. We can turn things around and re-claim bad dates. They're just dates after alle, and it's up to us to make of them what we will. Glad to hear you're making some advancements
Just remember that change comes slow and with much work.
Three days ago was the one year anniversary of my divorce. It was a freeing experience. He used my past trauma against me and continued the cycle of abuse for many years. Watching my daughter growing up and thinking this was love gave me the courage to leave. I have made a lot of progress this last year. I still have work to do but I am on the right path now.
@RedHawk6547 Congratulations Red, This is a Glorious Holiday! 
Keep this strength close when times are hard.
My head feels like a mac truck ran into it. I really hope my new PCP can help me tomorrow.
@DanaMHH
Good to have ya with us Dana! Glad you
@Raveninthelabrynth
Hi, sorry for not being consistent with check-ins, I was having a really bad week (full of self loathing). I feel a bit better now though and am having a good day. My two good anniversaries would be the day that my dad finally got legal custody of me and took me away from my abusive mother and the day my rapist was thrown in prison. Im not completely healed yet but Im getting better and am learning to love myself again.
@CartoonDarling
Hey Toon don't hate yourself there's pleanty more worthy things to hate like golf trousers or loud Hawaiian shirts.
Those are two beautiful special days to hold close hon
@Raveninthelabrynth
💛Thanks💛
@Raveninthelabrynth June (2 years ago) is when I left an abusive situation and started my new path :)
@Mellietronx Thats truly Wonderful to hear Mellie, let us know in June and we shall celebrate your return to the free world.
May 3, 2015, I left my last ex, and was no longer under his control.
May 21, 2015, I left my job at a law firm that I absolutely hated and made me cry on the drive home every day.
I thought that May 3 was the day I took things into my own hands and decided to change my future (and really, it was), but July 11, 2015, I was raped again, and my mindset went right back to this is how my life will always be. July 12, I was once again hiding bruises under makeup, but this time it was almost worse cuz I was at a family reunion. No...not this time, that time, past tense. In November, 2015, I was placed (as work hours for food stamps) as a volunteer at a hospice company, and I absolutely loved it! It really helped me because I was sort of still stuck in a pity party mood.
In June, 2016, I got to travel to Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands! Id never been on a plane for longer than about 2.5hrs before, and I was terrified of flying over the ocean, but it was an absolutely incredible experience!
In July, 2016, I climbed to the top of a very steep, very tall trail in the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, and that gave me a lot of confidence.
August 30, 2016, I was officially hired at the hospice I was still volunteering at, and thats where I still work. I love it so much.
August, 2016, is also when I got to finally go to college and start my Psych degree!
November, 2016, is when I completely broke down and realized I needed help cuz I couldnt do it on my own..
...anymore. I called on November 9, 2016, and got an appt at a counseling office that I drive past on my way to and from work every day.
January, 2017, I joined this website, and found this community. The combination of here and therapy has helped me more than I ever couldve thought possible.
At some point in I think March?, 2017?, Kite changed everything for me and taught me how to bring myself back from flashbacks. I couldnt be more grateful to have been messaging her at the time, and for her to have realized what was happening and immediately stepped in to help 💜
July, 2017, I got to travel to Dublin, Paris, and London! I still hate flying. I asked my pcp for...a non-specific anti-anxiety medication that is basically handed out like candy over here and requires zero follow up with literally anyone...for the plane rides. There were 3 flights involved, so I thought shed give me 6 pills at the most. She gave me 30. I thought about it really hard before I made this decision, but I decided to take one every day and see if it helped. And OH. MY. GOD. I kinda hate myself for waiting 10yrs to try medication again!!
In August, 2017, I had started falling more to the depression side of things, so I asked about getting a medication that was designed for both. And I did. And, once again, OH. MY. GOD! I have never in my life felt as stable as I do now!
There is quite a lot of good in my life lately 😊💜
@BeeLeigh Yes Bee, Quite Alot!
I know that sad feeling of this is how my life will always be. 
But We're here now
@Raveninthelabrynth
It
@BeeLeigh Ja Bee I hear ye. Theres many thoughts and feelings that still take me from time to time. I fight them, they go away, they come back. Why keep fighting??? cause when the crap is clear alle is Glorious.
@Raveninthelabrynth
We keep fighting because were warriors and well never give up! 🥊🤺🤼♀️💪🏻😎💜
I saw this at the store yesterday and it cracked me up and I took a pic so I could share with all you UK people here! 😂
@Raveninthelabrynth
Hi Raven yes its good to remember the good anniversaries too... thank you for reminding us. Hoping you are having a day filled with happiness!
April is the significant time for me. In April many years ago I walked away from an abusive marriage. Can still feel the warmth of the sun and the sense of freedom, as I sat with my daughter in a friend's garden. Two years later, new city, new job, and new home. And in April that year I met my soulmate at Scottish country dancing, and we've been together for 23 years. Then in April 2015 i joined 7Cups!
@rozie Hej Rozie Much Love Hon. Wonderful to see you, it's been a few whiles.
April sounds like a Wonder Filled Month Indeed!
Always hold on to that warmth and sun.
I'm just stopping to say HI. I'm doing pretty good and I feel thankful that today is Sunday! I love to worship Jesus! So today was a good day at church. I worked with some cute little kids. It was fun. And then I had lunch and rested. Then tonight I have rehearsal. It's been hard but I'm trying hard!!! I'm excited that we open in one month!!! Hi to everyone. ❤️
@KLM3278
That sounds so exciting! I am happy you are having such fun with this production. The children are so incredibly adorable when they venture into new experiences.
Enjoy every moment 💛
@KLM3278 Always Our Pleasure to heat from you hon.