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Self-acceptance...the Hardest Relationship

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Recovery4Me

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Self-acceptance

I have spent over the years, much time in fine-tuning a serious stint of years in self-elected therapy. I occasionally joke about my mind being my Lamborghini expenditure. Between educational pursuits to be a papered pup and therapy, it would equal a sizable investment. This in hindsight (for me) feels sad as the system or community of elders in place could not evolve with the global blending of cultures and outsiders were needed. My books, articles printed from Harvard Medical, various held authorities (ie: hope for recovery) became my family and ideology. Recovery…from something without an agreed upon name.

I desperately wanted acceptance. There were so many barriers back then during my time for equality. Perhaps there still are but I no longer worry about my mixed heritage and not fully being this or not being fully that race, as some of our world leaders with such became accepted for themselves as an entity. Religiosity instead of personal relationship with a higher power is no longer tolerated. My salary matching the other gender’s is closer to being equal (by our own gov stats). I have seen many changes even in the structuring of coding labels within DMS, therapy and within the new acceptance of mental health pursuit-as my years are strong in number.

Yet for all my veneer, effort or bravado…my spots did not rub out. My self-stigma and inner critic kept me embedded within a head-story similar to that of Pinocchio or of Data in Star Trek. I wanted to feel human or something that matched the subliminal messages in the barrage of media: the phantom illusion of “they”.

Even as I supported others, in comparison to their combat trauma…my story felt small. “Perhaps,” I theorized,” I had neuro-mapped mine away.” But as I stand within this site, this community of acceptance, I realize no one here is minimizing anyone. No one here treats me as damaged goods or not good enough because of_____. The rub IS solely from within: my inner critic.

I think today is a good day for total self- acceptance and to be counted among the many whom are not afraid to say…I have complex trauma & PTSD.

Thank you all for being authentic and loving to so many during your pain, daily victories and journey. To me, from where I come from- that is the true meaning of tribe.

Peace, blessings and light.
 
And thank you too for being part of the tribe!

I too recently reached a point where I was able to love myself. Still a work in progress.
 
@Recovery4Me welcome to the forum and yes I totally get your point.

I have spent the last 25 years of my life working for others. A short stint in terminal geriatric nursing after leaving the military as a medic.

Then I was employed to help others in the Prison Service. Follow that with 15 years in Police Service taking critical 999 calls and as a Police Despatcher.

I have always known I had issues but minimised these as I enjoy helping others.

I finally broke down a year ago and spiralled out of control until I was fired from my career and had to be sectioned into a secure mental health institution.

I finally accepted two weeks ago that after ten months in self research amd self therapy that I too need support . Today that help has started to flood in and I actually feel good accepting it.

Massive :hug:s if you accept them from one survivor to another.

Laurie
 
Thank you for the kind words. Each of you had something to offer that connected special within.

Massive :hug:s if you accept them from one survivor to another
That was/is a beautiful offer. :hug: And so on time!:tup:

Santa_Laurie
(I am engaged so I am not fishing so to speak ...I offer this as sometimes my unconditional love has been misunderstood, so forgive me if this sentence seems odd.)

When I watched some of your scripts within the live chat...with fluffing pillows and putting out cookies, the being on call to speak with others in need...I was taken back by the warmth and sincere dedication of extension. You can shift gears so to speak from nurturing -soothing-visuals to rolling up your sleeves in tuff love. And you could have fun too! I thought how special a gift.

Sometimes, I have found special gifts have a special price. Same as you, my dad served as an medic in the war and then as a psychiatric nurse after ICU and ER. He took on the hard stuff nobody wanted in the psych ward research section.
Between being taken from his native family to be reared by a catholic children's shelter and rapped, a prisoner of war, and the civilian medical jobs...he had what was termed, " a psychotic break". Alcoholism numbed his pain as he floated in and out of combat PTSD. I share this...because I understand a 'small' amount of what happened to you. I also understand how fierce/brave you are inside to share this...I am honored.

Thank you for your gift of hope.
 
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