You ever feel that lump in your throat, anxiety that rises when you get around energies that have already created the version of you that they are comfortable with?
Some lead their lives by the news and headlines, working themselves to almost extinction, and still want to fight.
If you are here, you learned the value of quiet nights at home, privacy, and exercise self-love like your life depends on it.
Because honestly, it does.
Growth requires stepping out of your comfort zone. But it does not require you to break for others.
This week, I took a risk by applying for a position I had not formally worked in for almost 7 years. Not only did I hope to get back out to interacting with others I knew this position would help enhance my people skills after Covid, a new baby and being bullied extensively online.
Let's just say it was not the best experience, but those moments of rejection remind you to stop shrinking to fit into spaces that were never designed to hold you, let alone see you.
No one tells you the cold truth about surviving trauma, people-pleasing, and giving without the respect of even exchange.
The list goes on.
Boundaries:
You didn’t lose opportunities, people, or versions of yourself
You finally stopped pouring into cups with holes
Grab a case of your best self-love and indulge!
YES, GET DRUNK ON YOUR OWN COMPANY
SET THE DAMN BOUNDARY ALREADY
The reason I started this newsletter and blog was to remind people it's ok to stand on a couch; it’s ok to share your voice. It’s okay to want to help others and have them close the door.
Just like before you get up, brush it off and move forward with integrity and grace.
Sometimes rejection is sacred protection and divine redirection.
Sometimes those relationships ended not to cause pain but to liberate you from people-pleasing and shrinking to make others’ insecurities less.
No matter your faith, you can probably right now recall that moment when you thought you were gonna die, or everything was gonna fall, and then you got that call/text or divine intervention to redirect your mind. As a trauma advocate, one thing that helped me realize I was aligned was stating my intention, putting in the work, letting go, and remembering that what is meant for me will always find me. I will never forget being a support for someone. I will always be grateful, and even if they never truly appreciate it, well, you did all you could.
Make peace with that, and when the dark feels heavy, or the world feels heavy, remember we have the power to create the change we want to see in the world.
Every path led you to this moment.
Maybe it’s time to embrace the change and let the universe work through you.
I saw a TikTok video this week of a man who said simply, “You're a seed; you can not keep unburying the seed expecting it to grow.” Faith is built on sometimes walking in the dark, blind, and allowing God to elevate you. Sometimes the best-kept secrets are hidden right before others’ eyes. Trauma did not define you; it gave you a greater perspective. You became aware of more than words; you understood that some of the greatest language is body language.
Trauma trains you to abandon yourself; your body, if abused sexually, learned to dissociate, and boundaries help you understand where you have been slipping back into patterns and relationships that require you to over-explain, over-give, and constantly defend yourself.
Sorry is a sorry the first time.
After the second time, it’s a behavior.
Sometimes your boundaries are not working because you made excuses for their trauma, so you keep accepting the behavior.
Yes, you are accountable.
Navigating relationships, both platonic and romantic, requires discernment, and if your discernment is wrapped in the need to love and forgive, it can become a trauma bond. I found an article that can help you decide if your boundaries are working:
SO NO, YOU'RE NOT WRONG FOR LETTING THEM GO
Your self-worth is not defined by others' misconceptions, disrespect, and hate.
Boundaries, when exercised properly, show others how to treat you.
Forgive yourself and forgive them.
Let's anchor and do an exercise:
Pause, breathe, notice, and choose
What in your life has been draining your energy
Let’s do a scan.
Mentally, pause, breathe, notice, and choose.
Now emotionally, pause, breathe, notice, and choose.
Take a moment to allow your subtle bodies to begin to balance (check chart below to go deeper)
As we move to your physical body, take a moment to call your full power back from time and space, and allow your aura to receive.
Allow the fragments to integrate with the intention of love and compassion.
Now let's move to your spiritual body; imagine the energy merging your masculine and feminine body, restoring flow, balance, and equilibrium. Your light body vehicle has now been balanced and, with your permission, upgraded and aligned to your highest timeline.
Before you open your eyes, take a moment to imagine yourself as a wild horse unbriddled, free running along the shoreline, the salt air clearing away any energetic bonds, cords, and cleansing all soul ties that no longer serve.
Now feel the air rise in your chest, your heartbeat, wiggle your fingers and toes. (If you're listening to the audio above, pause. Scroll up and begin when ready)
Designed in Chat GPT
Allow this Reiki energy to work with you throughout the week; drink plenty of water, and remember that you may not feel the effects for a few days.
Cliff note:
The past is the bee
The future is the flower
You are future, so delicate
dancing wild through the rain
Journal prompt:
What is one part of myself that I have been rushing to heal, fix, or change?
Affirmation:
“I am allowed to grow at my own pace. I do not have to rush my healing to prove that I am becoming whole.”
You are not drowning; you are learning to love the woman who survived and to uncover the beauty beneath and within.
Love,
Elise
Resources:
Blog Donation Disclaimer
Thank you for considering supporting my work. Your generosity helps sustain this blog and allows me to continue sharing uplifting reflections, original poetry, affirmations, journaling prompts, and holistic and spiritual practices for women navigating their healing journeys.
All contributions are voluntary and non-refundable. Donations do not purchase services, guarantee specific outcomes, or provide access to coaching, therapy, or other professional services. You are never required to donate to read or engage with the content offered here.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, contributions support the creation and maintenance of this blog and related inspirational content.
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Your presence, readership, and encouragement are valuable forms of support, and I am grateful you are here.
Thank you for helping me continue creating a space for reflection, inspiration, and connection.
With gratitude,
Elise Skibik
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Transcending Trauma
Pre-Recorded Healing Workshop
Enjoy the bonus workbook and meditation
A gentle and empowering workshop created for women who are ready to begin reconnecting with themselves after trauma, grief, burnout, emotional overwhelm, or life transitions. This pre-recorded experience is designed to help you feel supported, seen, and guided at your own pace in the privacy of your own space.
In this workshop, you will explore trauma-informed healing tools that foster emotional awareness, support the nervous system, promote grounding, encourage self-reflection, and deepen self-compassion. Through guided teachings, reflective exercises, and spiritual wellness practices, you will be invited to reconnect with your inner voice and begin creating safety within yourself again.
This workshop may support you in:
Releasing shame and self-blame
Understanding emotional triggers and survival responses
Rebuilding trust in yourself
Learning grounding and calming techniques
Strengthening intuition and self-worth
Creating healthy, energetic, and emotional boundaries
Reconnecting with hope, purpose, and personal empowerment
Included in your experience:
Lifetime access to the pre-recorded workshop
Guided healing and reflective teachings
Downloadable workbook and integration prompts
Gentle practices for grounding and self-connection
Flexible viewing at your own pace
This offering was created from lived experience, compassion, and a deep understanding that healing is not linear. You are not expected to “fix” yourself here. You are simply invited to return home to yourself one step at a time.
Important Access Information:
An internet connection is required to stream the workshop and access files
We recommend saving your workbook PDF to your device for long-term personal access.
Please do not share or redistribute workshop links or materials.
Best Viewing Experience:
Create a quiet, comfortable space for yourself. You may want:
A journal or notebook
Water or tea
Headphones for deeper focus
Time afterward to reflect and integrate
Healing is a journey you can return to whenever you need support, grounding, or reconnection with yourself.
Important Disclaimer
This workshop is intended for spiritual wellness, personal growth, and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition and should not replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic care. By participating, you acknowledge personal responsibility for your well-being and understand that individual experiences and results may vary.
