Today is a hurting day. Wish it wasn’t, but it is. They happen. Wish they didn’t, but they do.

I’m doing my best to do the hurting days differently. To love and care for myself beyond measure. To do all I can to soothe my heart.

I know how to soothe my heart.

I know to put my hand on my heart and remind myself that all is and will be okay. That right here, right now, in this moment, I am okay. At least okay enough. Even if I don’t feel like I am.

I know now to replace that hand with my heated lavender pillow (aka “security blanket”) and let that warmth seep into my body and my soul. So that I can feel even more okay.

I know to acknowledge that it has been and is a lot…and it makes sense that I have hurting days. And that I also have choices as to how long I stay in the hurt (at least sometimes, if not usually) and how deep I go into the hurt. I have choices as to when I lift my head up to the sunshine.

I know to notice and savor all that feels good. The weekend with my high school friends, who once again came to visit with and take care of me. The big red bow on our side door put there by my husband to celebrate one of the positive milestones in this hard medical journey. The calls and texts from my kiddies which are amazing simply because they’re calls and texts from my kiddies.

All the love in my heart and all the love surrounding me. These is so much, when I stop and pay attention.

I know to call these out, to let these soak in, and to lightly hold them and relish them. To let them soothe my heart.

I know how to soothe my heart. What soothes yours?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!

Photo by Marionel Luciano on unsplash


If you have been in ANY high control group or religion, share your story with the hashtag #IGotOut. Share on your own platform OR if you need to be anonymous and/or would like support, there are resources at the @igotout_org website.

When you see a survivor share their story, let them know they have been heard. This is such a meaningful part of the movement. We all need to know we’re not alone.

If you know someone who has been harmed by a high demand group, share #igotout posts or stories you think would help them.

Together we can bring awareness to how many of us have been harmed by high control organizations and end the shame or stigma we might feel about our experiences.

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Find out more at igotout.org

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