For me, that journey began long ago.
Diagnosed with neurodermatitis at just six months old, Ive dealt with eczema my whole life.
From age 2-6, I lived in a war zone in former Yugoslavia.
I carried the wounds of war not only inside of me, but also on my skin.
The eczema grew worse, and other health issues followed.
The stress and trauma from the war manifested in my life in ways I couldnt understand at the time.
My health continued to deteriorate, leading to three suicide attempts at 23.
It was shortly after this that I start my journey with TSW.
Imagine your skin burning, peeling, itching, and oozingconstantly, with little to no relief.
I was unable to feed, bathe, or dress myself.
I was fully bedridden for years.
This was my reality for the last decade.
Isolated from the world and myself, I was only focused on survival.
Mirrors and bright lighting became traumatizing, reflecting a version of me I couldnt recognize.
Isolation was both my prison and sanctuary.
Dating wasnt even an option.
While I did try dating a few times, at some point, I became jaded with love.
(Not that theres anything wrong with that, either!)
But life had a plot twist for me.
I started to see clearly how my body was reflecting all the trauma that had been suppressed for decades.
So I began the workmeditation, hypnotherapy, CBT, somatic work, breath work, journaling, etc.
I confronted suppressed memories, and faced the demons that haunted me one by one.
The process hasnt been easy, but it began to shift everything in my lifefrom the inside out.
And thats exactly what happened a little over a year ago.
Meeting someone who saw beyond my wounds and embraced my true self was a blessing I never expected.
It started reflecting the parts of myself I still struggled to embrace.
The parts of myself that still needed healing.
Im learning to believe I deserve the happiness.
I truly believe the inner workthe deep emotional and mental healingopened me up to this relationship.
My plan of being an old cat lady was ruined.
It might take time and it might look different than you thought, but its there.
And it is waiting for you.
And when it does come, its more beautiful and fulfilling than you could ever imagine.
So here I am, still healing, still learning, but now with someone by my side.
Now, Its no longer just me.
Instead, were a team eczema, TSW, and all.
Life is strange that way.
Just when you think youve figured it out, it throws something unexpected your way.
But sometimes, those plot twists are the best things that could ever happen to us.
