The Fear Of Sharing
I’ve seen your Facebook page and think it’s an awesome idea – creating a space where people can share the stories they may have previously felt they shouldn’t, perhaps because of the pain it might cause others, or even themselves.
“That’s our first bit of judgement and fear right there.”
I’m part of a trauma charity called Climbing Out, which helps participants to reframe that judgement and fear, embrace what has happened to them, and ultimately get unstuck and move forward from it.
Normally, I would probably steer clear of sharing even a small part of my story through fear that someone might compare their experience to mine and feel that, because their story “isn’t as bad”, it isn’t worth sharing.
We Stop Comparing
But what I’ve learnt is that when you’re in the same boat as everybody else who has experienced tough times, all of that comparing goes out of the window.
“We all become listeners and supporters. We create the strongest net to catch the people who feel like they are uncontrollably falling.”
We listen intently to each other’s pain and hurt. We stand alongside each other, not trying to fix or find answers, but simply being there in those moments – embracing them and helping to hold the weight.
Embracing My Own Story
And through that, I’ve learnt to embrace my own story too.
So I’d love to share it with others, in the hope that perhaps something in it might help someone else find a tiny bit of courage of their own.
To be able to say:
I can take a step.
I will take a step.
I refuse to stay in this darkness.
Deciding Not to Hide
Perhaps, sometimes, that first step is simply deciding not to hide anymore.
Ruth
