Out On A Limb

07/27/2025

05/27/2025

01/11/2025

Remember.. come out of that box that you’ve let life put you in. Try new things & hold on tight for the ride.
When you come out of that box… shine like the diamond that you are. I know you can do it.

12/31/2024

Don’t give up on those changes

12/31/2024

It’s so much like this.
I will tell you I can remember things done and I’m not good on exact dates.
I can approximately get it
When you go through trauma responses and nasty little triggers, it can be like a minefield for others and so much “friendly fire” can happen that’s horrible
But… breathe in for 4
Out for 4
Wait for 4
Then back in and repeat… make sure you’re safe and remember that you are NOT YOUR TRAUMA
I’ve needed that reminder myself.
I started this page to build a community.
So… come out come out wherever you are!

12/27/2024

12/27/2024

This

゚

12/27/2024

Going “out on a limb” here but… with holidays… triggers come. Sometimes, we can be doing something in a sort of frenzy as an avoidance mechanism… mine was making sugar cookies at 3AM with an exhausted person near that was like “wtf”
I’ve prayed so hard on finding that trigger and I realized… that the dysfunction of family & arguments and other trauma growing up & in the domestic violence…. Triggers the hell out of me especially this time of year and around September.
Remember… you aren’t your triggers… but you can figure out where they’re coming from & then work on letting that part of you heal. Prayer has been a big thing for me in that way…
Out of everything and everyone… I know that God has got me and in a way that he is gentle and showed me what causes those holiday spaz moments
You’re never alone & this chick is here for you!

12/18/2024

When I was in the depths of domestic abuse… there were days where I came so close to just ending my life…
I truly felt as if i couldn’t escape abuse… that had plagued my existence from very early childhood into my 40’s.
I hold the firm belief that a smile can change a person’s mindset for that reason.
I remember I was in a thrift shop one day & considering buying a 3.00 shirt…
I wasn’t allowed to spend outside of the usual 20.00 I was allotted from my disability…
That darkness came into my mind and I was to that point of non existence and I got the sweetest smile from another shopper and she just shined…
I’m of the firm belief that she was a guardian angel… it took that mood and changed it completely & I shook it off.
God works in mysterious ways…
But sometimes too…. One kind interaction from another human being may be all we need to veer us away from a cliff….
Look for that guardrail daily if you’re going through any sort of abuse….. but reach out too….
We do care.

12/13/2024

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou

I love her work & this resonates with me at this particular point in my life…
Trauma comes in many forms & it can stunt our growth,particularly with childhood things. Sometimes, we aren’t taught things the way many are…. & if things are time consuming,stressful & traumatic for a parent? Some of those seemingly minute tasks go into the pile of to do lists that never get checked off. These are often simple things that we should know in life early on & it can be right down to household chores.
Sometimes, the parent leans on us as much as we lean on them… not a good or healthy situation but all too common. Trauma can cause neglect.
I remember so much in my childhood that involved me immediately calming when a crisis like a health emergency or something serious happened… I always thought it was just a skill obtained… to shut every adult out & to all of a sudden be calm & act in a way to have the best possible outcome. I used to call it act vs react. It wasn’t a skill or ability that was a “norm” it was trauma based. Hey, but I still see it as handy… I just have always bawled etc after said crisis is over & I’m off to myself. I could do that but still didn’t learn some basic things. I was 6 when that started.
A child that survives trauma, may also have a parent that’s enduring their own traumatic moments & you’re the one they lean on & see comfort come from….wiping tears from your mommy’s face like she did with you.
Regardless of how it happens…maybe you didn’t even learn to mop properly or wash a sponge or some small thing that comes up decades later. Sadly some kids go through so much that years later… they realize it’s not just some task but they’re different too with how their mind processes things….
But… you can learn the proper way to do things & you can keep striving to “do better now that you know better”.
My point being… don’t let anyone stop you,& don’t give up… and more likely than not? Someone else that survived childhood or adult trauma… they’ve experienced the very same thing that you have.
The strength is in not giving up… and that is hard. I’m not going to lie when I say I’ve had times where I was close to letting the devil win and when I didn’t want to be here.
Then I’ve had times… when I’m just sitting outside and the sun beats down & I look over & see my dog smiling…. That’s when I really get that God is there & he’s been there all of that time… in a person’s smile or embrace, in the warmth of the sun on a beautiful Summer’s day… or in the form of a big & goofy service dogs grin….
There’s always that shine and I know you’ll notice God shining for you as well.
Just know you aren’t alone in this… also know you can reach out.
Just remember that quote & it’s never too late to do better. It’s only to late if you give up.
Insomnia ramble over and love to everyone that reads this
Catherine

12/11/2024

This time of year is often filled with memories… some that are incredible and at a time we wish that we could go back to-
Some that are traumatic & tend to stir us up or cause issues with our CPTSD. Sometimes, our sleep gets disturbed as well.
In this season, remember to be kind to yourself & do something relaxing before turning off the lights & going to sleep… raise that vibration up & when you pray… talk to God & tell him what’s going on… it’s also a perfect time of year to build that specific relationship up.