I love hearing all of this, Annette! It is evident you have reached that critical place in our FSA healing and recovery known as 'radical acceptance'. It is a powerful, liberating thing, indeed. To accept WHAT IS, despite it being a painful, unalterable reality (FSA dynamics). Feel free to share your TikTok page link here if you like, and thank you for taking the time to comment.
Beautifully said, Rebecca. Independence as an FSA for me means listening to my authentic voice, setting firm boundary’s, continuing to be open to learning and being vulnerable- to trust my process and not allow those critical voices of my family haunt me. Facing my fears and learning that joy in life is an option. ❤️
As a Canadian, Independence Day does not resonate with me, but the meaning you have found within it does. I am grateful to be on a healing journey, seeking my true self. It's been five years since I've spoken to any of my siblings and my parents are dead. In many ways, I am only beginning to recognize the harm caused by the emotional bullying... being blamed for things I did not do, false rumours, and most of all exclusion. I have to regularly remind myself to be gentle and to not blame myself for the loneliness that has haunted me for many years. It is an ongoing journey. Every year brings more healing. One of the ways that I know there is healing is the friendships I am developing. It's not easy for me to trust, but I am gathering near to the people who see me as I am and I am learning to dare to be myself. Thank you for this community which is another way to ease the loneliness and journey towards healing.
You're welcome, Debbie - This new and growing community of FSA adult survivors also feeds and nurtures my soul and brings me comfort for the reasons you mention. On my end, I had stopped dancing and singing (I used to perform at a semi-professional level) due to debilitating symptoms related to FSA, C-PTSD, and Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD). Reclaiming these lost aspects of self - which requires at times re-engaging with others and our community - is indeed part of our FSA recovery journey and I appreciate you sharing where you are in your own healing process with us here - It is a true message of hope that I find both personally and professionally inspiring.
I am so happy that you are dancing and singing. Those body-based art forms can be so vitalizing. What a joy that you have reclaimed that. My creative outlet is writing. Somehow I can say all that I want to say in my fiction and most of the time I am not afraid... and even when I am, I write.
Thank you, Debbie. I plan to start a dedicated discussion thread or chat area for writers here, I'll be sending out a survey to get a better idea of what people want in regard to that so stay tuned.
Andrea was TRULY scapegoated and this has helped validate my own experiences. FYI could be a TRIGGER for some as sexual abuse is described, be aware. Peace and blessings everyone.
Thank you for the links and the trigger warning, Barbara. Looks like to access the second link requires one to sign up for something to read it, just FYI.
I love hearing all of this, Annette! It is evident you have reached that critical place in our FSA healing and recovery known as 'radical acceptance'. It is a powerful, liberating thing, indeed. To accept WHAT IS, despite it being a painful, unalterable reality (FSA dynamics). Feel free to share your TikTok page link here if you like, and thank you for taking the time to comment.
Thanks, Caroline - I appreciate your sharing my post!
Well said! And happy Independence Day to everyone. Here is to our freedom from oppression!
Thanks, Sef!
Beautifully said, Rebecca. Independence as an FSA for me means listening to my authentic voice, setting firm boundary’s, continuing to be open to learning and being vulnerable- to trust my process and not allow those critical voices of my family haunt me. Facing my fears and learning that joy in life is an option. ❤️
Beautiful, Jaye. Your last sentence, especially. Happy 4th!!
Thank you, Rebecca! Happy 4th!
As a Canadian, Independence Day does not resonate with me, but the meaning you have found within it does. I am grateful to be on a healing journey, seeking my true self. It's been five years since I've spoken to any of my siblings and my parents are dead. In many ways, I am only beginning to recognize the harm caused by the emotional bullying... being blamed for things I did not do, false rumours, and most of all exclusion. I have to regularly remind myself to be gentle and to not blame myself for the loneliness that has haunted me for many years. It is an ongoing journey. Every year brings more healing. One of the ways that I know there is healing is the friendships I am developing. It's not easy for me to trust, but I am gathering near to the people who see me as I am and I am learning to dare to be myself. Thank you for this community which is another way to ease the loneliness and journey towards healing.
You're welcome, Debbie - This new and growing community of FSA adult survivors also feeds and nurtures my soul and brings me comfort for the reasons you mention. On my end, I had stopped dancing and singing (I used to perform at a semi-professional level) due to debilitating symptoms related to FSA, C-PTSD, and Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD). Reclaiming these lost aspects of self - which requires at times re-engaging with others and our community - is indeed part of our FSA recovery journey and I appreciate you sharing where you are in your own healing process with us here - It is a true message of hope that I find both personally and professionally inspiring.
I am so happy that you are dancing and singing. Those body-based art forms can be so vitalizing. What a joy that you have reclaimed that. My creative outlet is writing. Somehow I can say all that I want to say in my fiction and most of the time I am not afraid... and even when I am, I write.
Thank you, Debbie. I plan to start a dedicated discussion thread or chat area for writers here, I'll be sending out a survey to get a better idea of what people want in regard to that so stay tuned.
I've often heard "when the student is ready, the teacher appears," and the synchronicity with this article as well as this WaPo article (FYI in the comments is a link to the Canadian press regarding this report,) a FSA survivor with a "famous" parent. https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/07/07/alice-munro-childhood-abuse-andrea-skinner/.
[Toronto Star article] https://www.thestar.com/news/in-the-home-of-alice-munro-a-dark-secret-lurked-now-her-children-want-the/article_69a63202-34cd-11ef-83f4-9b4275c26d84.html
Andrea was TRULY scapegoated and this has helped validate my own experiences. FYI could be a TRIGGER for some as sexual abuse is described, be aware. Peace and blessings everyone.
Thank you for the links and the trigger warning, Barbara. Looks like to access the second link requires one to sign up for something to read it, just FYI.
Thank you, I was able to just “x” out of the offer to read the article for free. Sorry about the paywall.
No problem!!