The Importance of Healing
Healing is a deeply personal and powerful journey—one that looks different for everyone. For me, healing means learning to let go, embracing time with myself, finding joy in missing out on social gatherings, laughing with trusted friends, and setting boundaries—not just with others, but with myself. It is a process that we often try to rush, yet I am learning to sit with my emotions, to find comfort in my solitude, and to allow myself to experience the full spectrum of feelings without resistance.
Letting go is one of the hardest aspects of healing. I have struggled with accepting that some things are simply not meant for me. There have been times when I felt the need to force a friendship or a relationship, believing that if I just tried harder, it would work. I held onto the idea that because I had invested so much in a relationship, it had to be the right one. I was afraid to let go, scared of facing the reality of being alone. When that relationship ended, the hardest part was breaking the habit of daily communication and no longer sharing life's milestones with that person. I wanted the connection, so I sought new connections to fill the void, but nothing felt right because I had not yet fully healed.
This past week, I had a realization: I need to sit with my emotions instead of seeking external validation to soothe my sadness and loneliness. I need to allow myself to feel the pain, process it, and heal on my own terms. It isn’t fair to seek connection with someone else before I have done the inner work necessary to move forward. While I may feel disappointed that things didn’t work out with another potential relationship, I also recognize that it wasn’t meant for me. And that is okay. Learning to let go of what I cannot control is part of healing.
Healing also means establishing boundaries and identifying what I need in my life right now. I can only control myself—my actions, my thoughts, my responses—not what others do, say, or feel. Finding what truly brings me joy and holding onto those moments has become an essential part of my healing process. I have realized that taking time for myself, whether it is enjoying a quiet evening alone, engaging in creative activities, or simply allowing myself to rest, is an act of self-love. Learning to say no to things that drain me and yes to things that nourish me has been a transformative part of my healing.
Recently, I experienced these feelings of uncertainty firsthand during my workshop. I felt nervous and anxious about the unknown, unsure if everything would go smoothly or if my first workshop would be a success. That fear of the unknown is something we all face, and it is often out of our control. But through experience, we build confidence in facing uncertainty and gain the ability to tackle the aspects that are within our control. This realization has helped me reframe my perspective on healing—it is not about eliminating uncertainty but about strengthening my ability to navigate it with resilience and trust in myself.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that healing is not about suppressing emotions but rather acknowledging them. There is immense power in sitting with difficult feelings—grief, sadness, loneliness—without rushing to distract myself or make them disappear. Instead of forcing myself to be okay, I remind myself that it is okay to not be okay. Healing is not about pretending everything is fine; it is about embracing where I am in the moment and trusting that I am growing through it.
As a community, we can support one another on our healing journeys. Whether it’s moving on from a breakup, grieving a loved one, or working through past traumas, we must remember that healing is not linear. There is no set timeline, no rush to "get over it." Instead, there is beauty in taking the time to create space for ourselves, to nurture our emotional well-being, and to honor our unique paths. Healing is a journey, not a destination, and in embracing that, we find strength, growth, and peace.
Healing is about reclaiming ourselves, our joy, and our ability to move forward in a way that aligns with who we are meant to be. It is about accepting that we are constantly evolving and that each step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. It is about trusting that we are exactly where we need to be, even in moments of uncertainty. And above all, healing is about granting ourselves the grace to grow, to learn, and to love ourselves fully through every phase of the journey.
“Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there” -unknown
