
08/28/2025
✨ “We must reveal ourselves at the deepest level in order to find out how lovable we really are… our safety actually lies in letting down our mask. But we cannot do this when we’re constantly afraid of being judged.” — Marianne Williamson
Letting yourself be fully seen — your feelings, fears, and desires — can be terrifying, especially if you grew up with childhood trauma or complex PTSD.
If, like me, you experienced constant criticism, comparison, or the feeling that nothing you did was ever good enough, you start to lose sight of who you truly are. You become who others want you to be. And one day, you wake up wondering:
Who am I, really? What do I even like? How do I want to show up in the world?
For years, I wore my trauma like armor — outspoken, reactive, protective. But that wasn’t the real me. Beneath the anxiety and expectations, there was someone softer, truer, and worthy of love.
Peeling back those layers took time. My turning point started when I left home for college. I threw myself into school, partied too much, made plenty of mistakes — and learned from every single one. Slowly, I began uncovering my authentic self.
Here’s what helped me most:
1. Understanding my trauma — seeing how it shaped my self-worth and relationships.
2. Processing it — actually talking about the things I kept buried deep down and letting others support me.
3. Building emotional maturity — learning to own my mistakes, connect with empathy, and set boundaries without losing myself.
Therapy was my foundation, but integration — applying what I learned in real life — was where the real healing happened. Along the way, I also found powerful tools in Brainspotting, breathwork, journaling, reading, plant medicine, music, and community.
If you take anything from my story, let it be this: you are not your trauma. You can unlearn, heal, and meet yourself again — maybe for the first time.
Therapists are human too. I’ve been where you are. And I’m here to remind you: your most authentic self is worth meeting. 💛
Learn more: https://inwardhealingtherapy.com/blog/fostering-genuine-friendships-part-2-a-guide-on-managing-anxious-and-avoidant-attachment
🌅 Schedule your free consultation and let’s start your friendship reset.