Truth So Raw

  I n a world where conversations around consent and personal boundaries are becoming increasingly vital, it’s essential to shine a light on the deeply rooted issues that contribute to the normalization of inappropriate touch. For many, the journey of understanding personal boundaries begins in childhood, but for some, it is marred by experiences that can lead to a lifetime of confusion and trauma. Imagine a young girl, innocent and trusting, who is subjected to inappropriate touching by a figure meant to protect her—her father. Such experiences create a distorted perception of what is acceptable and what is not. This violation of trust and safety can desensitize a child to the severity of the act, making it challenging for her to recognize when her boundaries are being crossed in future relationships. The implications of this desensitization are profound. As the narrator reflects on her childhood, she realizes that the boundaries that should have been clearly defined were blurred ...

  Growing up in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses, my life was shaped by a strict code of conduct and a profound sense of secrecy. My father served as an elder, a position that elevated our family’s status within the congregation but also intensified the pressure to conform to an ideal that often felt suffocating. As the daughter of an elder, I was burdened with the unspoken expectation to maintain a facade of perfection, even as the walls of our family life were adorned with hidden truths.  In this blog, I will share my journey of navigating the complexities of faith, family, and self-identity. I will delve into the secrets that cloaked my upbringing, the lies I was taught to accept, and the painful yet liberating process of breaking free to find my own truth. The Weight of Secrets In the world of Jehovah’s Witnesses, family life is often portrayed as idyllic, filled with love, unity, and unwavering faith. However, my experience was marked by an underlying current of secrecy. O...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It can take various forms—physical, emotional, psychological, and financial—and its effects can be devastating. For many, leaving an abusive relationship is not the end of the struggle; instead, it marks the beginning of a complex healing journey. This blog delves into the harrowing experience of a woman named Sarah, who navigates the treacherous waters of a violent relationship, ultimately facing the consequences of PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome, Trauma Bonding, and dissociative disorder. The Beginning: Love or Control? Sarah’s story begins like many others—she was swept off her feet by a charming man who seemed to understand her in a way no one else did. Initially, their relationship was filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. However, as time progressed, the charm began to fade, revealing a controlling and possessive partner.  At first, the signs were subtle. He would make comm...

  I still brace myself for the blow. Unseen scares remind me of all the places I’ve been, telling me when I had gotten too close to the flame once again, but whether I closed my eyes and deflect my pain, or I choose to look deeper to find what is eroding some piece of my soul, depends largely on where I am in my journey. I can understand why I couldn’t look too close at many of my truths in my younger years. I still wince when trying to look at some of them now. Some of them are a lot like tearing open my heart to take a peek. Yet, I have learned the hard way not to leave them buried. Buried wounds only fester. Fstering wounds have a way of rising to the surface at the most inopportune times. Namely, when you’re right in the middle of some new pain that just  proved you had not laid that last one to rest after all. Some of my wounds took too many years to close. The frustrating part is when I come to realize that I am still harboring some deep seated rage over something I’d...

  In a small town nestled between rolling hills and whispering woods, there lived a woman named Clara. In her early thirties, Clara had always felt a deep yearning to express herself, but it wasn't until she faced a life-altering event that she found her true voice. After the passing of her mother, Clara was engulfed by a mixture of grief, anger, and confusion. In the aftermath, she discovered a passion for writing, a tool for processing her tumultuous emotions. Clara started a blog titled "Raw Truths," where she committed to sharing her unfiltered thoughts and experiences. The first post, titled "The Day the Light Went Out," described the moment she lost her mother. Words flowed from her like a river, carving out the pain and sorrow that had long been buried inside. She wrote candidly about the fear of losing a loved one, the isolation that grief can bring, and the struggle to find meaning in the chaos. As she shared her journey, Clara found solace in the conne...