--- title: MiStory Community ~ A safe harbor for survivors description: A safe harbor for survivors of sexual harm, domestic violence, and abuse. Share your story, exchange messages of hope, and find community support. url: https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/en/index.md --- {{customAnalyticsScripts}} [\[Image: MiStory Logo\]\[Image: MiStory Logo\]](/en/) [ Community ](/en/)[ Questions & Answers ](/en/learn)[ Find Support ](/en/resources) Share story Post a message 0 Users 0 Views 0 Reactions 0 Stories read ##### Need to take a break? Try a grounding activity For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Show resources for \[Image: United States\]United States [\[Image: Argentina\]Argentina](/?country=ar)[\[Image: Australia\]Australia](/?country=au)[\[Image: Bolivia\]Bolivia](/?country=bo)[\[Image: Canada\]Canada](/?country=ca)[\[Image: Chile\]Chile](/?country=cl)[\[Image: Colombia\]Colombia](/?country=co)[\[Image: Costa Rica\]Costa Rica](/?country=cr)[\[Image: Cuba\]Cuba](/?country=cu)[\[Image: Dominican Republic\]Dominican Republic](/?country=do)[\[Image: Ecuador\]Ecuador](/?country=ec)[\[Image: El Salvador\]El Salvador](/?country=sv)[\[Image: Equatorial Guinea\]Equatorial Guinea](/?country=gq)[\[Image: Guatemala\]Guatemala](/?country=gt)[\[Image: Honduras\]Honduras](/?country=hn)[\[Image: Ireland\]Ireland](/?country=ie)[\[Image: Japan\]Japan](/?country=jp)[\[Image: Mexico\]Mexico](/?country=mx)[\[Image: Nicaragua\]Nicaragua](/?country=ni)[\[Image: New Zealand\]New Zealand](/?country=nz)[\[Image: Panama\]Panama](/?country=pa)[\[Image: Paraguay\]Paraguay](/?country=py)[\[Image: Peru\]Peru](/?country=pe)[\[Image: Puerto Rico\]Puerto Rico](/?country=pr)[\[Image: Spain\]Spain](/?country=es)[\[Image: United Kingdom\]United Kingdom](/?country=gb)[\[Image: Uruguay\]Uruguay](/?country=uy)[\[Image: Venezuela\]Venezuela](/?country=ve) English [English](/en/)[Espaรฑol](/es/)[ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชž](/ja/) [ About Us ](https://mistory-traumarecovery.org/home) Made with in Raleigh, NC Read our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ourwave.org/en/privacy), and [Terms](https://www.ourwave.org/en/terms) Have feedback? Send it to us # Community All Community Messages Survivor Stories Curated Sort by - Curated - Newest Format Format - Narrative - Artwork Find by Tag I was... in a Public Space Other The person who harmed me was a... Stranger ### Welcome to MiStory. This is a space where survivors of trauma and abuse share their stories alongside supportive allies. These stories remind us that hope exists even in dark times. You are never alone in your experience. Healing is possible for everyone. ##### What feels like the right place to start today? ๐ŸŒค๏ธ โœ๏ธ ๐Ÿ™‹ ๐Ÿคฒ I'm ready to explore the community ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [ #### Navigating the world as a survivor service provider I work with survivors of sexual violence as a part of my job...and it can be really difficult to engage in my own healing while I am constantly hearing the trauma of others. Most days are fulfilling. It is special to connect with folks who have experienced something similar to what you have...but it can also be uniquely isolating. I long for the community of survivors I often refer my clients to, but for some reason I feel a barrier to engaging in these services myself. "Too many people know me there," I rationalize...would they have concerns about me working with survivors if they knew I was a survivor myself? I was sexually assaulted by a massage therapist....something that I have very rarely said out loud but still think about nearly every day. I can still feel his sweat dripping onto my body...and have a visceral reaction to even raindrops falling on my bare skin. God I hate that guy...I don't even know where he is now, but I always wonder if what I did was enough. Did his boss take my accusation seriously? Why did I insist that I not be contacted again? I really wish I knew the outcome of my complaint... Despite this unknowing, I really feel like I have came a long way. The anger is still there yes, but my hatred for myself has slowly been materializing. Day by day things get easier, as I try to find spaces that make me feel seen and find people who understand why I do what I do. I hope I can do enough to make this world a little easier for those, like me, who often feel like they are suffering in silence. But I also hope I can rest. And love. And feel peace. Because now I realize I deserve that too. ](/en/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Healing From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #113](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) [ Healing, to me, means practicing what I preach. Recognizing that my experience matters and that it's okay if sometimes I need to talk about it...despite maybe having no new things to say. Healing means acknowleding that I still have work to do....and not rushing the process and pretending that everything is 100% back to normal. Healing means knowing there is always more to learn and not letting your fears get in the way of creating a life worth living. ](/en/message/healing-to-me-means-practicing-what-i-preach-recognizing-that-my-experience-matters-and-that-its-okay-if-sometimes-i-need-to-talk-about-itdespite-maybe-having-no-new-things-to-say-healing-means-acknow-99) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ [ #### #1762 \[Image: #1762\] ](/en/story/da1cf4b1-728b-419e-8d53-764d2ceae31b) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) Show original - Report #### โ€œTo anyone facing something similar, you are not alone. You are worth so much and are loved by so many. You are so much stronger than you realize.โ€ ##### Message of Healing From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #269](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/keep-going-269) [ Something I hope to achieve soon. ](/en/message/something-i-hope-to-achieve-soon-237) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [ #### Keep Going \[Image: Keep Going\] ](/en/story/keep-going-269) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Hope From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #269](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/keep-going-269) [ I don't know you, but I know that you are probably hurting. I am hurting too. I hope you find peace. ](/en/message/i-dont-know-you-but-i-know-that-you-are-probably-hurting-i-am-hurting-too-i-hope-you-find-peace-236) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Hope From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #113](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) [ To all survivors out there....healing is possible. I am lucky enough to bear witness to it everyday. If you are feeling hopeless, know that you do not need to go through this alone. If someone does not support you in the way you deserve, don't give up. You are worth so much more than what you've experienced. Be gentle with yourself and thank you for being you. ](/en/message/to-all-survivors-out-therehealing-is-possible-i-am-lucky-enough-to-bear-witness-to-it-everyday-if-you-are-feeling-hopeless-know-that-you-do-not-need-to-go-through-this-alone-if-someone-does-not-suppor-98) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ### Welcome to MiStory. This is a space where survivors of trauma and abuse share their stories alongside supportive allies. These stories remind us that hope exists even in dark times. You are never alone in your experience. Healing is possible for everyone. ##### What feels like the right place to start today? ๐ŸŒค๏ธ โœ๏ธ ๐Ÿ™‹ ๐Ÿคฒ I'm ready to explore the community ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ [ #### #1762 \[Image: #1762\] ](/en/story/da1cf4b1-728b-419e-8d53-764d2ceae31b) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) Show original - Report ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [ #### Keep Going \[Image: Keep Going\] ](/en/story/keep-going-269) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Story From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [ #### Navigating the world as a survivor service provider I work with survivors of sexual violence as a part of my job...and it can be really difficult to engage in my own healing while I am constantly hearing the trauma of others. Most days are fulfilling. It is special to connect with folks who have experienced something similar to what you have...but it can also be uniquely isolating. I long for the community of survivors I often refer my clients to, but for some reason I feel a barrier to engaging in these services myself. "Too many people know me there," I rationalize...would they have concerns about me working with survivors if they knew I was a survivor myself? I was sexually assaulted by a massage therapist....something that I have very rarely said out loud but still think about nearly every day. I can still feel his sweat dripping onto my body...and have a visceral reaction to even raindrops falling on my bare skin. God I hate that guy...I don't even know where he is now, but I always wonder if what I did was enough. Did his boss take my accusation seriously? Why did I insist that I not be contacted again? I really wish I knew the outcome of my complaint... Despite this unknowing, I really feel like I have came a long way. The anger is still there yes, but my hatred for myself has slowly been materializing. Day by day things get easier, as I try to find spaces that make me feel seen and find people who understand why I do what I do. I hope I can do enough to make this world a little easier for those, like me, who often feel like they are suffering in silence. But I also hope I can rest. And love. And feel peace. Because now I realize I deserve that too. ](/en/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report #### โ€œTo anyone facing something similar, you are not alone. You are worth so much and are loved by so many. You are so much stronger than you realize.โ€ ##### Message of Hope From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #269](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/keep-going-269) [ I don't know you, but I know that you are probably hurting. I am hurting too. I hope you find peace. ](/en/message/i-dont-know-you-but-i-know-that-you-are-probably-hurting-i-am-hurting-too-i-hope-you-find-peace-236) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Healing From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #113](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) [ Healing, to me, means practicing what I preach. Recognizing that my experience matters and that it's okay if sometimes I need to talk about it...despite maybe having no new things to say. Healing means acknowleding that I still have work to do....and not rushing the process and pretending that everything is 100% back to normal. Healing means knowing there is always more to learn and not letting your fears get in the way of creating a life worth living. ](/en/message/healing-to-me-means-practicing-what-i-preach-recognizing-that-my-experience-matters-and-that-its-okay-if-sometimes-i-need-to-talk-about-itdespite-maybe-having-no-new-things-to-say-healing-means-acknow-99) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Healing From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #269](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/keep-going-269) [ Something I hope to achieve soon. ](/en/message/something-i-hope-to-achieve-soon-237) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report ##### Message of Hope From a survivor ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Story #113](https://stories.mistory-traumarecovery.org/story/navigating-the-world-as-a-survivor-service-provider-113) [ To all survivors out there....healing is possible. I am lucky enough to bear witness to it everyday. If you are feeling hopeless, know that you do not need to go through this alone. If someone does not support you in the way you deserve, don't give up. You are worth so much more than what you've experienced. Be gentle with yourself and thank you for being you. ](/en/message/to-all-survivors-out-therehealing-is-possible-i-am-lucky-enough-to-bear-witness-to-it-everyday-if-you-are-feeling-hopeless-know-that-you-do-not-need-to-go-through-this-alone-if-someone-does-not-suppor-98) 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) - Report That's everything for now. 0 Users 0 Views 0 Reactions 0 Stories read ##### Need to take a break? Try a grounding activity For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Show resources for \[Image: United States\]United States [\[Image: Argentina\]Argentina](/?country=ar)[\[Image: Australia\]Australia](/?country=au)[\[Image: Bolivia\]Bolivia](/?country=bo)[\[Image: Canada\]Canada](/?country=ca)[\[Image: Chile\]Chile](/?country=cl)[\[Image: Colombia\]Colombia](/?country=co)[\[Image: Costa Rica\]Costa Rica](/?country=cr)[\[Image: Cuba\]Cuba](/?country=cu)[\[Image: Dominican Republic\]Dominican Republic](/?country=do)[\[Image: Ecuador\]Ecuador](/?country=ec)[\[Image: El Salvador\]El Salvador](/?country=sv)[\[Image: Equatorial Guinea\]Equatorial Guinea](/?country=gq)[\[Image: Guatemala\]Guatemala](/?country=gt)[\[Image: Honduras\]Honduras](/?country=hn)[\[Image: Ireland\]Ireland](/?country=ie)[\[Image: Japan\]Japan](/?country=jp)[\[Image: Mexico\]Mexico](/?country=mx)[\[Image: Nicaragua\]Nicaragua](/?country=ni)[\[Image: New Zealand\]New Zealand](/?country=nz)[\[Image: Panama\]Panama](/?country=pa)[\[Image: Paraguay\]Paraguay](/?country=py)[\[Image: Peru\]Peru](/?country=pe)[\[Image: Puerto Rico\]Puerto Rico](/?country=pr)[\[Image: Spain\]Spain](/?country=es)[\[Image: United Kingdom\]United Kingdom](/?country=gb)[\[Image: Uruguay\]Uruguay](/?country=uy)[\[Image: Venezuela\]Venezuela](/?country=ve) English [English](/en/)[Espaรฑol](/es/)[ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชž](/ja/) [ About Us ](https://mistory-traumarecovery.org/home) Made with in Raleigh, NC Read our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ourwave.org/en/privacy), and [Terms](https://www.ourwave.org/en/terms) Have feedback? Send it to us For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Made with in Raleigh, NC | Read our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ourwave.org/en/privacy), and [Terms](https://www.ourwave.org/en/terms) | [ #### Resources ](/en/resources) ### Post a Message Share a message of support with the community. Continue We will send you an email as soon as your message is posted, as well as send helpful resources and support. Post Please adhere to our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines) to help us keep MiStory a safe space. All messages will be reviewed and identifying information removed before they are posted. ### Ask a Question Ask a question about survivorship or supporting survivors. Continue We will send you an email as soon as your question is answered, as well as send helpful resources and support. Submit ### How can we help? Tell us why you are reporting this content. Our moderation team will review your report shortly. Violence, hate, or exploitation Threats, hateful language, or sexual coercion Bullying or unwanted contact Harassment, intimidation, or persistent unwanted messages Scam, fraud, or impersonation Deceptive requests or claiming to be someone else False information Misleading claims or deliberate disinformation Submit ### Share Feedback Tell us whatโ€™s working (and what isn't) so we can keep improving. Submit ### Log in Enter the email you used to submit to MiStory and we'll send you a magic link to access your profile. Send link Grounding activity Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud: 5 โ€“ things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window) 4 โ€“ things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?) 3 โ€“ things you can hear 2 โ€“ things you can smell 1 โ€“ thing you like about yourself. Take a deep breath to end. From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at. Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one). Take a deep breath to end. Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud: 1\. Where am I? 2\. What day of the week is today? 3\. What is todayโ€™s date? 4\. What is the current month? 5\. What is the current year? 6\. How old am I? 7\. What season is it? Take a deep breath to end. Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: โ€œI am powerful.โ€ Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder. Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud. Take a deep breath to end. Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment. Take a deep breath to end. Try another grounding activity I feel grounded and ready