Not Who They Expected

Healing doesn’t look tidy. It looks like confusion, breakdowns, breakthroughs — and a whole lot of misunderstandings. In this first full episode of Back Porch, Jennifer opens up about what it’s like when you’re not who people expect you to be in your healing.She shares stories of being misread, the loneliness of isolation, and the pain of reaching out only to be met with judgment. Jennifer speaks candidly about trauma, CPTSD, and what it feels like to scream underwater while everyone else watches from the veranda.But this isn’t just about struggle — it’s about presence, faith, and the kind of love that stays. With honesty and vulnerability, she reminds us that healing is survival, silence doesn’t mean weakness, and no one should have to walk through hell alone.In this episode:Why healing makes you “different” — and misunderstoodThe loneliness of being unheard and unseenThe truth about reconciliation and unmet expectationsFacing trauma alone and the cost of survivalThe tangled necklaces of CPTSDThe power of presence and unconditional loveChoosing silence as survival — and breaking it hereJennifer closes with her psalm, From the Side of the Road — a heart cry for anyone who feels unseen and unheard. “With space and a little salty grace, until the next time the porchlights blink.”If you’d like to go deeper, join me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes reflections, extended writings, and live porch nights: patreon.com/JenniferShatzerLearn more about me, my writing, and future projects: JenniferShatzer.comFollow me on social:Instagram: @thejennifershatzerFacebook: facebook.com/thejennifershatzer