I am an undefined woman. What does that mean, exactly? It means I refuse to label myself in recovery or limit my sober potential. My life experiences include childhood sexual abuse, addiction, and an ongoing battle with mental health as I unlearn all the patterns I used as coping mechanisms for survival. How I grew up and what happened does not define me because it was not my fault. In recovery, I had to take responsibility for how I reacted and take the proper steps to heal the wounds and break the cycle of abuse and neglect. I am living proof that change is healthy and requires a growth mindset. I do not have to be perfect; I must be willing to do the work.

I have learned to be authentic, and becoming authentic means not everyone will like me or agree with me. After years of being a people pleaser, that is OK! Growing up, I needed that. However, as I grew into my emotionally resilient skin, I realized there was freedom to choose happiness over popularity. That outdated mindset stunted my growth and kept me silent for fear of being harmed or judged. In recovery, I discovered I was courageous and resilient, which led me to find my path through the power of my voice. My story is mine to tell through my experiences in recovery. I sincerely hope that my story and voice will help you learn, grow and find your path too.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging, and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” -Brené Brown