For as long as I can remember, I was searching for something—something that would make me feel whole, something that would quiet the restless feeling in my soul. I tried to find it in work, in relationships, and in doing all the things I thought I was supposed to do. But deep down, I knew something was missing. It wasn’t until I began therapy, faced my past, and started healing from the abuse I endured that I realized what I was really missing was me.
Therapy was the first step toward understanding the weight I had been carrying for years. It allowed me to unpack the trauma, the hurt, and the patterns that had shaped my life without me even realizing it. For too long, I lived in survival mode, stuck in cycles that kept me from growing, from healing, from truly living. Therapy didn’t just help me heal—it helped me see clearly for the first time. I began to understand that I deserved more than just surviving. I deserved to find joy, to pursue the things that make my heart feel full, and to build a life that felt like mine.
In the process of healing, I discovered what truly brings me joy. Traveling—seeing new places, experiencing the world, and capturing the beauty around me through photography—became my way of reconnecting with life. Nature, with its quiet solitude, became my sanctuary. There’s something about being alone in the wild that makes me feel grounded, as if all the noise of the world fades away, leaving only the simple truth: I am enough, just as I am. These moments of solitude in nature reminded me that joy isn’t something to be found in the hustle and grind—it’s found in the stillness, in the beauty that exists all around us if we’re willing to pause and see it.
But even as I found joy in these moments, I couldn’t ignore the growing sense that I wasn’t finding fulfillment in other areas of my life—especially at work. I realized that my job, while providing stability, wasn’t providing the sense of purpose I had hoped it would. I was going through the motions, day in and day out, without ever feeling truly alive. It was as if I was putting so much energy into something that didn’t fill me up, leaving me drained and searching for more.
Then there was the loneliness that came with not having a strong friend group. While there are wonderful people in my life, I struggled to find the deep connections I craved, the sense of community that makes you feel like you truly belong. As I reflected on this, it became clear that the Mid Ohio Valley—while home in many ways—wasn’t where I was meant to find my tribe. I knew I needed to branch out, to explore new places, and to seek out a community that shared my passions, my values, and my desire for growth.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge that there are people here who have been true friends, who have stood by me, and who have loved me through it all. My decision to move on isn’t about leaving those friendships behind—it’s about finding the places and people who will help me grow into the next version of myself. The friends I’ve made here in the Mid Ohio Valley will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m endlessly grateful for the support, kindness, and love they’ve shown me. They’ve been a crucial part of my journey, and though I’m seeking something new, I carry their encouragement with me as I step into this next chapter.
#HealingJourney #TherapyAndGrowth #ChooseYourself #FindingFulfillment #AbuseRecovery #RediscoveringJoy #LifeTransitions #SecondBloom #PhotographyAndTravel #PersonalGrowth #FindingCommunity #NatureSolitude
