Reflections: Stories from My Healing Journey

In the final episode of Season 1, I dive into the question I am most commonly asked - after everything you have survived, how do you still have faith? This story is about how leaning into faith helped me to survive my darkest days. I share the intimate story of grappling with suicidal thoughts and how an astonishing midnight miracle helped reignite my hope after grappling with the hard realities of being a survivor of rape and sexual assault. I share about my grief after the death of a close friend, the shock of repressed memories, and navigating suicidal ideation. This is a story of healing, faith, and learning to be compassionate with myself and all my feelings – even the really challenging ones.And for anyone who relates to thoughts of suicide, I promise you it does get better. Your life matters. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey of Reflections Season 1.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:00 Story - That Time I Found Faith as a Trauma Survivor9:40 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems

In this episode, I reflect on my journey of healing from childhood sexual assault and the ripple effect it had on my life, including making others uncomfortable. From the pain of repressed memories surfacing to trying to open up to loved ones and professionals, I share how society's discomfort with trauma left me feeling alone and ashamed. In this story, I reflect on - why is it my responsibility to make others comfortable with my truth? Why is compassion for survivors so scarce? How can we navigate discomfort and find new ways to support survivors of sexual violence?If you are a survivor, it was not your fault and you are not alone. I am sending you so much love, thanks for listening.This episode contains explicit language.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:15 Story - That Time I Made People Uncomfortable9:41 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems

In this episode, I reflect on surviving the bystander effect. I explore the difficult feelings I have grappled with ever since my traumatic experience of being raped and the painful reality of the bystanders who did nothing. What responsibility did the bystanders have to step in, speak up, or intervene when I was being sexually assaulted? Throughout my healing journey, I have continued to reflect on trust, choice, and the power of compassion.If you are a survivor, you are not alone. My intention is to bring light to how these difficult experiences – such as rape and living the through bystander effect – can continue to impact us for years or even decades after the traumatic events themselves.Thank you for listening, send you so much love.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:13 Story - That Time I Survived the Bystander Effect8:38 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections For FREE Resources for the healing journey, check out: https://www.newviewadvice.com/ Like Poems? Check out my poems about the healing journey: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poems

In this episode, I share a story about healing from the betrayal of women after sexual assault. After surviving rape, I not only felt betrayed by the perpetrators, but also from those I thought I could trust, including female friends, mentors, and even a spiritual leader. This story dives into the emotional fallout of trusting the wrong people, and in my case thinking that women would be more empathetic to my experience of sexual violence. Along the way, I reflect on self-trust, understanding the complexity of trauma, and the importance of embracing differences and no longer seeking to conform with those around me. This story explores the complexities and feelings of betrayal in the aftermath of sexual trauma.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:15 Story - That Time I Was Betrayed By Women After Being Raped10:21 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections

In this episode, I share a story about how after years of healing from rape and overcoming immense trauma, I found myself facing an unexpected emotional challenge: survivor’s guilt. As I began to reconnect with life, I struggled with the guilt of being alive while others still die by suicide after experiencing sexual assault and rape. I reflect on my own journey of battling suicidal thoughts to embracing life again. This story explores themes of guilt, unworthiness, and self-forgiveness, shedding light on the emotional complexities survivors of trauma and rape often face. If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you are not alone. Sending you so much love, thank you for listening.Timestamps0:00 Introduction0:47 Story - That Time I Had Survivor's Guilt8:57 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections

In this episode, I share a poem about the healing journey and my personal experience healing from fear. This poem reflects on how fear once held me back, and how over time I’ve learned to navigate fear and embrace personal growth. Join me as I explore the emotional healing process, overcoming fear, and the importance of healing through self-reflection. If you’ve struggled with fear or trauma, this episode offers a new view on fear, empowerment and self-discovery. This poem is inspired by my journey healing from rape and sexual violence.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:35 Poem - That Time I Met the Devil3:47 Final ThoughtsYou can read more poems on my website at: https://www.newviewadvice.com/poemsYou can also read all reflections here: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections

In this episode, I share a deeply personal story of healing from past sexual trauma. At 15, I survived a violent experience in the woods, an event that haunted me for years. Fifteen years later, I found myself drawn back to the woods while living in a Florida beach community, where I unexpectedly crossed paths with another young girl named Courtney Wilkes, who tragically lost her life in those same woods. In this episode, I reflect on the impact of rape, my near-death experience, and the process of self-forgiveness. Through my connection with Courtney’s story, I came to realize the importance of embracing life as a survivor and embracing all my hard feelings. This episode is in honor of Courtney Wilkes who has had a profound impact on me and my journey surviving rape and sexual violence. To all survivors of sexual assault, you are not alone and it was not your fault. Sending you all my love, thanks for listening!Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:08 Story - That Time I Met A Black Widow Spider14:08 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections

In this episode, I recount an experience from high school when I was stalked—and even stalked my stalker in return. For years, I felt ashamed and judged myself, but after years of healing, I realize that this was a trauma response. In this episode, I explore how trauma, especially after stalking and sexual violence, can leave you feeling lost, overwhelmed, and confused. I discuss the shame and confusion that comes with the experience of rape. If you've ever felt misunderstood in the aftermath of sexual trauma, you're not alone. Join me as we dive into the realities of surviving trauma and sexual violence.Timestamps0:00 Introduction1:33 Story - That Time I Stalked My Stalker10:52 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this story on my website: newviewadvice.com/reflections

Welcome to Reflections: A New View Advice Minisode Series!In this episode, I share a personal story from my journey healing from rape. I open up about the intense anger I felt when I discovered that one of the men who sexually assaulted me when I was a teenager had gotten engaged. I discuss how this moment was a crucial part of my healing journey and how it helped me begin to process my trauma and the hard feelings around being raped. I used to judge myself for feeling such intense emotions, but through my journey of healing from rape, I now see it as a necessary step in reclaiming my life and inner power. Tune in for an honest look at healing from sexual violence, emotional recovery, and the importance of practicing self-compassion and embracing our emotions. My intention in sharing is to help others to feel less alone, the healing journey can feel isolating, but it shouldn’t be that way. If you are a survivor, it was not your fault and you are not alone. I am sending you so much love, thanks for listening.Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:31 Story - That Time the Guy Who Raped Me Got Engaged & I Lost My Sh*t6:45 Final ThoughtsYou can also read this Reflection on my website at https://www.newviewadvice.com/reflections