I read the letter to children, it made me cry
To the world outside everything was fine, a normal middle class family.
To the world outside everything was fine, a normal middle class family.
Adults
The person I was was frightened by rejection
I deal now with the ‘who I am’, and I know I am a strong person but more importantly I know life can be good for me again.
I deal now with the ‘who I am’, and I know I am a strong person but more importantly I know life can be good for me again.
I had a feeling that something was different and that she was not meant to be acting in this way
To anyone that has gone through a similar thing I would like to say: things get better, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
To anyone that has gone through a similar thing I would like to say: things get better, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Alcohol allowed me to feel like I fitted in
It was the first time I really knew what was wrong with me. For years I had been drinking just to exist but had always justified it as something I deserved.
It was the first time I really knew what was wrong with me. For years I had been drinking just to exist but had always justified it as something I deserved.
I absorb everyone’s trauma like a sponge
I look forward to finding ‘me’; the woman I was meant to be; to being affirmed in my journey. I didn’t know what I was looking for, and had almost given up. Now I know; it’s me!
I look forward to finding ‘me’; the woman I was meant to be; to being affirmed in my journey. I didn’t know what I was looking for, and had almost given up. Now I know; it’s me!
I knew every floorboard that creaked, every door that squeaked
Coming home from school was terrifying. I knew every floorboard that creaked, every door that squeaked and became expert at moving silently.
Coming home from school was terrifying. I knew every floorboard that creaked, every door that squeaked and became expert at moving silently.
The alcoholism and the madness left little room for me to grow up safely
“Don’t trust, don’t talk, don’t feel,” these are the rules of a dysfunctional family.
“Don’t trust, don’t talk, don’t feel,” these are the rules of a dysfunctional family.
It felt as though our family had a shameful secret that couldn’t be discussed
I wanted people to understand, to know what I was going through, but no one understands unless they’ve experienced it themselves and I was too messed up to let people get close.
I wanted people to understand, to know what I was going through, but no one understands unless they’ve experienced it themselves and I was too messed up to let people get close.
Working it out: The effects of living with alcoholism
Why do I SAY ‘Yes’, when I mean to say ‘no’?
Why do I SAY ‘Yes’, when I mean to say ‘no’?
I felt like I was made up of pieces from other people
I have had the courage to heal the sickness inside me. To rid myself of the shame and blame and guilt that was never mine anyway.
I have had the courage to heal the sickness inside me. To rid myself of the shame and blame and guilt that was never mine anyway.
