ABC Note to Self

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I wrote these as reminders for myself, but I am sharing them with you.  Do with these what you will. Make them personal affirmations if you want.  Use them to heal, grow, and move forward. Peace and love in these trying times.

-Poet Simone 

Let victim be washed away by chants of “victory!” in the internal monologue that replays in your mind as you navigate healing and activities of daily life:

Allow yourself to acknowledge the past, but know you don’t have to stay stuck there 

Brush your teeth AND the bruises away

Comb your hair and conquer the day

Defeat the endless thoughts of death and reclaim the life you deserve to live

Ease your way into a life that serves your best interest

Forgive yourself. You are not to blame.

Give yourself grace 

Healthy boundaries don’t make you mean, it’s okay to set them

In the end what’s important is your sense of self worth stay in tact

Just keep nurturing your spirit

Keep feeding your soul

Love yourself 

Mental health IS health… and it matters 

No. is a complete sentence

Open your heart to all the possibilities life might throw your way 

Peace is sometimes fleeting but it’s possible

Quiet times are the best times to find that peace, don’t be afraid to be still

Rest often

Take as much time to heal as you need to. It’s not a race 

Undoing harm is a journey

Validate your feelings as many times as it takes for it to stick

Wiping your tears is okay, but don’t be ashamed that they flow

Xeniality is great but you must first be kind to yourself

You are so loved, remember that

Zest for life will return, I promise