Reflecting on Our First SAMA Workshop: Healing, Growth, and Honoring the Journey

Our first SAMA workshop was a beautiful success! It was a day filled with laughter, connection, and deep reflection with our growing community. We came together, met new friends, shared stories, and dove into the powerful theme of healing. It's moments like these that make me pause and reflect on how much I've learned and how far I've come on my own healing journey.

I’ve spent so many hours searching for answers, trying to understand what helps me heal, how I can become the best version of myself. And, just like everyone else, I've experienced the highs and lows that come with that. One thing I’ve learned is that healing is not a straightforward process—it’s messy, complicated, and often doesn’t look how we think it should. It’s ongoing, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always necessary.

As many of you know, I recently ended a relationship. And while I can confidently say that I don’t feel regret, there’s still a sense of sadness. It’s a feeling that lingers in the space where I used to have a close friend. Even though the relationship is over, the emotions are still present, and I can’t pretend like I’ve fully healed. In the days leading up to our workshop, I met a friend who reminded me of something important: that I need to take the time to heal, to truly give myself the space to feel everything before moving forward into something else.

I admired him for his honesty. It takes a lot of maturity to be so transparent with someone. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t always about rushing forward; sometimes, it’s about sitting with the discomfort and allowing ourselves the grace to heal before taking on the next step.

The last few days have definitely been a roller coaster. While the first workshop was undeniably a success, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. When I launched SAMA, I came home to a surprise: flowers waiting at my door, a small but meaningful gesture that made me feel so loved and appreciated. But this time, after the workshop, there were no flowers. No tangible reminders of love or acknowledgment. And for a moment, that absence left me with a heavy feeling in my stomach—a mix of sadness and loneliness. The highs of the workshop dropped into a space that felt empty, and I couldn’t help but wonder why.

But that’s the thing about healing and growth—it’s never linear. We can experience joy and sadness, laughter and loneliness, all in the same day, sometimes even in the same moment. And that’s okay. It’s part of the process.

What I’ve realized is that healing is an inside job. We can’t expect external things or people to always fill the voids within us. We need to be mindful of how we feel, take the time to sit with it, and give ourselves the space to heal. For me, healing often looks like cozy nights with friends, eating comfort food, laughing until my stomach hurts, then retreating to my own space to take care of myself—doing my skin care routine, lighting a candle, and reminding myself that I’m in a good place with a strong support system.

I’ve come so far in life, and it’s moments like this, when I reflect on how much I’ve grown, that I feel proud. I think about that young girl who, years ago, felt so lost that she thought taking over 100 pills was the only way out. I know she would be proud of the woman I am today—the woman who’s advocating for others, supporting those who feel alone, and using my own story to help others find their way.

To anyone who’s struggling, remember this: healing is a journey. You don’t have to rush it. Sit with your feelings, take care of yourself, and know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. You’re exactly where you need to be, and every step you take, no matter how small, is a step toward growth.

I’m so grateful for the success of the first workshop, for the laughter, the connections, and the reminder that healing is something we can do together. The journey continues, and I’m excited to see where it takes us next.

Sending love to all of you. Keep healing, keep growing, and always remember—you’re never alone.