I wanted to share a story with you today—one that might feel familiar in ways you hadn’t expected.
“I’m just tired…”
That’s what one of our recent clients told herself. Tired of feeling on edge all the time.
Tired of waking up in the middle of the night with a racing heart and no idea why.
Tired of pushing people away even though she longed for connection.
She never thought of herself as someone who had experienced trauma.
After all—she’d survived. She’d moved on. Built a life. Achieved things she once thought impossible.
But something still wasn’t right.
What she didn’t realize…
Her body and mind were carrying the weight of unprocessed trauma. The signs had been there, but she didn’t recognize them:
- Hypervigilance – Always on edge, even in safe spaces.
- Emotional numbness and disconnection – Feeling distant, unable to fully connect with others.
- Triggers and intrusive memories – Avoiding sights, smells, or sounds that brought her back to painful moments.
She thought maybe she was just too sensitive—until she came across a description of PTSD.
It was like someone had written her experience on the page.
And for the first time, she wondered:
Could it be that I’m not broken—just hurting?
That question led her to take the first step toward healing.
Healing is possible. You don’t have to carry this alone.
Talking about things she had buried for years wasn’t easy—but over time, she began to understand herself with more compassion. The tension made sense. The emotions had a purpose. The memories weren’t there to torture her—they were asking to be healed.
Maybe this story resonates with you, too.
If you’ve felt stuck, emotionally distant, or overwhelmed… know this:
💛 You are not alone. You are not weak. You are not broken.
There is help. There is hope. There is healing.
Warmly,
Samantha Victoria Rowe MSEd, LPCC
ACF Counseling of Mason, OH
(513) 229-8386 / https://www.counselingacf.com/