What I Wish I’d Known at the Start of My Healing Journey
Looking back, there are things I wish someone had told me when I first started working through my own pain.
It’s Not About Getting Back to Who You Were
Healing isn’t about returning to an old version of yourself - it’s about becoming someone new, shaped by what you’ve been through but not defined by it.
Progress Will Feel Invisible at Times
You won’t always notice the changes day-to-day, but months or years later, you’ll look back and realise you respond differently now. That’s growth.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Other People’s Journeys
We all grow at different speeds. There are no absolutes and no deadlines - your journey is your own, and that’s okay.
Rest Is Part of the Work
Pushing through every emotion without pause will burn you out. Resting doesn’t stall healing — it supports it.
You’ll Outgrow Some Things (and People)
It can be lonely, but it also makes space for healthier connections and a more authentic life.
If you’re at the beginning, know this: it’s okay to take it slow. There’s no deadline. Every step you take toward yourself matters.
Rachel Shaw
Rachel Shaw
