“I’ve got your back” were the most important and powerful words I had ever heard seven years ago. I was panicked, wondering how was I ever going to have the strength to get through the next moment, let alone the next day. To risk facing the unknown of my repressed past, while breaking the code of silence that was deeply ingrained in my psyche. In those early days of word vomiting memories that were coming fast and furious, going into one crisis after another, dissociating, and having no sense of safety.
At that point, I had already realized that the hard work happened when you got home, between therapy sessions. The processing of what was talked about during our sessions, trying to incorporate the tools he was teaching me for distress tolerance and trying to feel safe enough to just-sit with it all. At the same time learning ways to manage all the other terrible, awful PTSD symptoms that already had an unrelenting grip on my life.
One evening, as I stood up to leave my therapist’s office, a sense of panic overwhelmed me. Not only panic of what I was facing but the panic of attachment. I knew I would be too much for him, he would bail, he would himself panic and become as frightened by what he was hearing. But something happened when I turned around to walk out of his door. He said to me, “I’ve got your back.”
Those four little words hit me with the softness of the kindest hug and the safety of the bravest shield. I believed him the moment he said those words to me. Even though I knew I had to still fight for my life, my mental health, my freedom from the skeleton hands of the past that kept trying to pull me down each time I made any progress, those words landed through the layers.
That night, I was able to trust that I could handle my journey. I could walk with my head up, eyes forward. Those words made me feel that I would be able to face the past and the resulting effects of my trauma head on. I knew that if I stumble, fall, trip, panic, see monsters, fight programming that my therapist would help me stand back up, dust off, and keep moving forward.
A few weeks ago, I had another huge breakthrough. The mind-blowing acceptance of putting together the pieces of the big picture, and understanding who was responsible for my past trauma. Just how deep, sinister, and insidious this vast network of people with power were, and how I was truly just a tiny cog in their plans. In fact, the leap forward in healing was astounding to me. Wonderful? Yes! Hard-fought and earned? Yes! Frightening because I now understood and was immediately looking through a different lens? Yes?
Healing can be wonderful, hard-fought, and frightening. Not because I don’t want to heal, it’s because it is unfamiliar to look at things Not just through the lens of survival. To learn and accept the past as what happened. I can’t change it and I can no longer forget it. To accept it, to really sit with the knowledge of how insignificant I was to these people is sometimes mind-blowing.
When I was expressing the panic, the unsettledness of what was happening to me and how I was going to walk in this new light, this turn in my journey, my therapist without any thought said, “it’s okay, you’re safe, I’ve got your back.” Those four little words again. Just like that evening seven years ago, they again, had a profound effect on me. The most powerful, healing words I have ever heard.
Thank you for reading my memoir, Untangled, A Story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph
http://www.amazon.com/Untangled-story-resilience-courage-triumph/dp/1514213222
https://www.amazon.com/Untangled-story-resilience-courage-triumph-ebook/dp/B013XA4856
I laughed after I hit send. Boy oh boy did we go through some rough times. But he stuck by me. Now we are winding down our therapeutic relationship. 😊
LikeLike
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! It is a good fit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m fond of your therapist! I’m glad you found, one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahan 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall pop over now…
LikeLike
Thats because I just wrote a post, and Im lurking about on wordpress trying to catch up on reading blogs. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant Alexis. I am really pleased. My you answer quickly xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be honored, Brigid. That would be my absolute pleasure! 💕💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Alexis. I wonder if I might add your review of my memoir on the inside pages of my paperback version. I could add below Alexis Rose Author of Untangled. I am gathering a few reviews to include to encourage prospective readers. Many thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, thank you Shanya. Your comment made me smile! 🤗❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
i got so emotional by reading your post ❤ i want to say just be happy keep smiling and stay blessed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You, Danny! Your feedback means a lot to me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
4 simple words, but ones which carry so much power. I love this post!!
Danny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! 🤗
LikeLike
Healing emotionally is very hard, they are the scares that no one can see. Keep up the fight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! Im so glad you connected with the emotion. Your comment is very timely as I lay here, thinking how am I going to move forward living with the truth, and all the affects of the trauma. Then I read your comment, and know there are many of us who on different points on our healing journey and we need to take each others hands. Its a long road, never linear, but the commitment to your health is so brave! Take your time, take good self care and have support. Im glad we’ve connected. 💕
LikeLike
Alexis, this made me cry! I felt every emotion. I felt as if you were writing the road map of what lies ahead for me. You are courageous and your words are powerful. I tremble as I look ahead at the doors of pain that lie ahead of me to open. But I want to fight just as courageously as you have. I am at the beginning, so this was very encouraging! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem Alexis! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reblogging this post, Jason. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
They are powerful words of support! -OM
Note: Comments disabled here. Please visit their blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You Patricia. Im glad we’ve connected. There is a lot of information about PTSD if you are interested in learning a bit more about it. Have a great day! 💕
LikeLike
I just started following your blog so I’ve only ready this post. I find it interesting that the people in your past are an integral part of the PTSD. I’ve always associated PTSD with a military mission. Writing this is so healing. I applaud your willingness to write about your journey to healing. Your writing is great and I can’t wait to read more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You Vilina. The feeling is mutual! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You so much. I appreciate you so very much! Your posts are so inspiring. ❤
LikeLike
Thank You so much for reblogging this. 🤗
LikeLike
Hi Alexis, I find your story very touching and I’m looking forward to read more of your writing and get to know you better. Warm hugs, Vilina
LikeLiked by 2 people
I very much look forward to learning more about the brave person I have slowly got to know through this platform. Thank you! Scotland is lovely indeed xx ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so inspiring to read. It shows all the fear you have to face and that its so important to have someone strongly supporting you in the process. It can be so scary to trust and the breakthrough comes when we trust the right people. I had to reblog this as it is very powerful. Hugs to you Alexis. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Emerging From The Dark Night and commented:
This expresses the complete depth of how challenging it is to heal and how essential support is on that journey. Alexis is brave and has a strong voice. I just had to reblog this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! I totally get that vibe from you, which is too cool!! 🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
and i feel the same too! ((hugs))
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now Im teared up! Im just so happy to hear you have a person in your corner who has your back. There is a little room to breathe. Gina, you are a beautiful person, and a bright light in my life. No matter that you are on the other side of the world from me. We are connected souls and Im very blessed! 💕💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
saying your words make me cry doesn’t seem enough and this today has me very teary in the eyes and the heart – i lacked a person like that until recently and though he is miles away – he has said the same to me – not in the same words but he is the person who will stand up for me and that’s just an awesome thing to feel as a human being struggling to understand the chaos around me – I know I have him in my corner no matter the struggle he is there. thank you for sharing your heart it helps heal mine.
LikeLiked by 3 people
And I have yours; I say it when I mean it too. ❤🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah! Those are some of my favorite words, too 😊 I only say them when I mean them, and I hope the rest of the world operates the same way 😊
I’ll say them to you now: I’ve got your back ❤️
~The Silent Wave Blog writer/Laina 🌟🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You Oneta. Have a wonderful evening! 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice words indeed. I’m glad you are still having significant breakthroughs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Im so excited to hear you are going to read Untangled. I look forward to your feedback. 🤗❤
Have a great time in Scotland. I would love to visit there sometime and walk in the countryside. Be sure and post pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tears of gratitude that you’re in my life Nancy. You are such a beautiful spirit. I think about what you’ve gone through and Im amazed that you have found ways to forgive. You are a gift! 💕💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am ordering your memoir in the next 2 weeks as I will be in Scotland.I can get it delivered to my family’s address. You are inspiring! ❤ Hugs
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am sorry that it isn’t the case..I will re-read it now ❤ Hugs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Breakthroughs during therapy are wonderful but also traumatic (at least for me). Discovering triggers. I had a real breakthrough when I watched the movie Unbroken. When I saw Louis Zamperini go back to Japa after he was tortured as a POW forgive his torturers, I forgave mine. It freed me completely.
Your words are powerful, Alexis, and what you went through as a child and young adult is horrific. You truly inspire those in crisis or who suffer PTSD. I am honored that you are my friend. I admire your courage, determination, and transparency. Bless you, Alexis Rose (your name is beautiful)
🌺
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank You, Summer. 💕💕💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank You Harlon, I really appreciate that feedback. It’s amazing how words can land and make such a difference in ways we cant imagine at the time. Im glad you connected with the post. Have a great day! Alexis
LikeLiked by 2 people
There’s a lot in the content of your post that I could connect with, however it’s those words “I’ve Got Your Back” that stand out for me. They are so powerful – and they show how someone’s support can make a difference (small and big). It was nice to hear those words again today – and I hope you continue to enjoy the feeling of experiencing that. Stay well, Harlon
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was drenched in emotion and I can relate so much 💜💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful quote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post. One of my favorite sayings is “Don’t Allow Your Past to Become Your Anchor ⚓️ “. I talk about it all the time on my blog posts. But it takes time to heal from trauma and betrayal. For some of us it takes more time than others. Take Care
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww 😌 I’m glad too
LikeLiked by 2 people
It all made perfect sense. Thank You!! 😃
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was such an emotive and moving post, I hope you are all well now! Also, I am sure writing your thoughts and feelings down is a very good way to help deal with it all – this is my way to gather up everything and sort of let it out? I don’t know that probably made no sense but yeah 🙂 Keep doing what you are doing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You! Yeah, its a weird place to be in. Not willing to forget anymore, but uncomfortable with the truth. It sounds like you have been through quite a lot too. Im so glad we’ve connected! 🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
I edited that sentence so it makes more sense. I really do appreciate you asking me that question after reading my post. I wouldn’t want anyone to think those people would hold themselves accountable to anyone. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooops, I better edit that. Thank You! No way would that ever happen. Thank You for bringing that to my attention. 😁🤗❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The mind-blowing acceptance of all…” I understand this but am struck with the simplicity of the statement and of the grueling work preceding it. I too, understand that there is so much that is impossible to accurately describe in complete acceptance of all…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Did you say that all people involved in your past trauma accepted what they did?! If so, that is incredibly mind-blowing! Hugs!💗
LikeLiked by 2 people