Healing + Forgiveness - A Linear Path?

Something most of us experience but rarely talk about in detail: the strength it takes to stay away from the environments that once broke us. You’ve been there - shattered, scattered, barely holding it together... but you did what we, as humans, so beautifully do: you picked up the pieces, glued yourself back together and carried on. Somewhere along the way, forgiveness crept in... and that’s where it gets tricky.

When Forgiveness Feels Like a Setback

While forgiveness is often painted as the hero of healing, sometimes... it's exactly what holds us back. Therapists often say that resentment keeps us stuck - and they’re right - but so can forced forgiveness, especially when it’s mistaken for a permission slip to let people who hurt us back into our lives. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean giving them access to your peace again. It doesn’t mean sacrificing your own well-being to prioritize someone who once dismissed your feelings, dreams, and boundaries.

Accept Without Inviting

Sometimes, it’s as simple as saying, “I see you for who you are, and I accept it.” That’s it.

That doesn’t entitle them to your time, your energy, or your space.

Facing the Why

And while we're being real, don’t ignore the why. Don’t escape the reason just to avoid discomfort. People-pleasing isn't always rooted in kindness. Sometimes it's fear, guilt, or the need for validation - but people who only focus on the reaction instead of the reason behind it? They aren’t trying to understand you - and that's okay too. Learn to let go.

The Root Canal of Healing

It’s like the root canal of emotional healing - until you get to the core of the pain, it’ll keep affecting everything around it and that infection spreads to your mindset, your relationships, your self-worth. Choosing not to engage with harmful energy doesn’t mean you’re “better than” anyone. It means you’re actively choosing to be better for yourself.

What You Seek, You Find

That same logic applies to our mindset and the way we move through the world. If you’re constantly searching for what’s wrong, you’ll always find it. The good news? The opposite is also true. If you intentionally seek joy, healing, and hope - it will start to find you.

Building a New Habit

At first, it’s a practice. A muscle you train. Choosing to have a good day might take effort, especially in the beginning - but like any habit, it gets easier. What matters is that you keep trying. And in the trying, you grow.

The Beautiful Chaos of Healing

Healing isn’t linear. Some seasons will build you. Others will break you. Some teach, some transform. Practicing gratitude - even for the hard things - can help you shift from resistance to resilience. Start there. The little things matter every single day.

Your Path, Your Pace

Forgiveness and healing are in fact not linear paths. They are winding roads with detours, speed bumps, and rest stops. Boundaries aren’t roadblocks - they’re part of the map. How you heal, how you grow, how you protect your peace - that’s yours to figure out. Let it be messy. Let it be yours.

Your Daily Reminder

So here’s your sign—today and every day: Look inward. Let go. Move forward. Light your soul on fire and chase what sets you free because if there’s one thing we all have in common- it’s the only life we've got.

Make It Count.

xo,

Rae

Make it count.

xo,

Rae